St Aubin, with its cosmopolitan culture, harbour views and buzzing atmosphere, is the perfect place to indulge in a delicious dining experience. This is exactly what you can expect from the recently revamped Old Court House Inn – the latest addition to the Liberation Group’s progressively growing portfolio.
Raising the bar once again, they’ve transformed this historic establishment into a series of sympathetically styled, snug areas, including a private dining room, a bar & bistro (there’s even a separate sports bar), a sophisticated restaurant and a stylish hotel. Choose from one of ten individually, ambient-styled ensuite rooms (each named after a surrounding island), or if you’re looking for something superior, the two bedroomed penthouse suite with its very own private sun terrace.
THE CUISINE
Crafted by the Liberation Group alongside original Head Chef Chris and David Cameron, downstairs, you’ll find a menu of light bites and pub style dishes and upstairs, a rich British brasserie-style dining experience. When they say they use local produce they mean it, the suppliers (some of which include La Manche Smokehouse, Classic herd and Coopers & Co) are proudly name-dropped throughout the menu and the quality is evident from the dishes served.
THE VIBE
With its gilt frames, vibrant hues, eclectic chairs and exposed stone walls, one glimpse at the Old Court House and you’ll see that it’s both contemporary and cosy, with a boutique, seafaring feel throughout. Reclaimed wood, an original well, French polish, fireplaces dating back to 1611, and an impressive spiral stone staircase that has felt the weight of countless bygone footsteps only adds to the notable decor – there’s a definite cosmopolitan flavour here, and one that reflects the clientele, management and staff.
THE EXPERIENCE
The Bar & Bistro offers a wide-ranging menu comprising affordable food, including dishes such as salt cod brandade, Liberation Ale battered fish ‘n’ chips and Classic Herd 100% Jersey beef burger, a variety of fine wines and quality thirst-quenchers, all of which can be enjoyed in Granite and Westward bars – and when the sun shines, alfresco on the decking area overlooking the idyllic harbour.
The restaurant, with its outstanding harbour views, sits in what was once the ‘Prize Court Room’, ‘Judge’s Chamber’, and ‘Mizzen’ and boasts a magical atmosphere for diners with an ample menu of specialities. Prepare yourself for refined highlights, such as the wonderfully complex peppered pork loin & pressed slow roast pork belly – herb crusted rump of lamb, with dauphinoise potatoes – or the fried sea bass, served alongside small towers of moreish crab and finished with delicious roast fennel trimmings. for dessert, tempt your tastebuds with the likes of a delightfully heady dark chocolate tart, served with lashings of cloud-light raspberry sorbet or the warm sticky toffee & date pudding with banoffee ice cream, which arrives to the table floating on a bed of butterscotch sauce.
The sheltered “Floral Courtyard” at the rear, is a must for long sunny lunches and balmy evening dinners, whilst the ‘Court’ aperitif bar, and the hub of the hotel, is the perfect spot for a pre-dinner drink.
THE DRINKS
An ample drink’s menu is available between floors, so whether you end your evening with a pint of the award-winning golden Liberation Ale, a full-bodied Sauvignon Blanc 1685 Grande Cuvee or a bottle of bubbles – there’s something to suit all!
