Route 202, New Preston, CT | Tel: 860.868.1496
In Marbledale: White Horse Country Pub Written by Fran Sikorski Thursday, 27 August 2009 11:01 Link to Online Article A long-time familiar face on the Fairfield County restaurant scene as owner and consultant, John Harris, a designer/builder known nationally and internationally, has created a new restaurant for himself on the site the former Marbledale Pub, which was stripped down to the studs.
The result is the White Horse Country Pub featuring favorite English and American menus at affordable prices, served in two dining rooms filled with local art, artifacts, and antiques from the private collection of Mr. Harris and his wife, Lisa, a film producer. Artifacts were collected by John Harris while he worked in the hotel business traveling the world, primarily in Kenya, Bermuda, and the Middle East before coming to America 25 years ago. Originally from London, John Harris has owned restaurants and pubs in London, New York and in Westport. His plan for the White Horse is to serve familiar English and American casual food with a few good pints or glasses of wine all affordably priced.
The White Horse Country Pub is built to resemble a 19th Century ale house with both table and booth seating and a large mahogany wraparound bar accented by copper. Ceiling beams came from a barn in Vermont. Outdoor dining is offered on a patio facing the Aspetuck River. One of the well-established menu items is a hamburger with sage Derby blue cheese, bacon, romaine lettuce, heirloom tomato and a special sauce on a toasted brioche for $11.75 (add a pint of domestic draft for $1). Luncheon sandwiches, including grilled cheese, are from $6.50 to $13.50 for a Kobe burger. Also a favorites since the June 25 opening are calamari in a lightly seasoned coating served over mixed greens with a spicy jalapeno vinaigrette; steakhouse shepherd s pie; Guinness beef stew; and bangers and mash, sauteed farmhouse pork sausages with whipped mashed potatoes and onion gravy; fish and chips; pub steak, grilled petite sirloin served with Roquefort butter and British fries ($12 to $16.75). An a la carte Sunday brunch ($7.75 to $14.50) offers many temptations, from a full English breakfast to sandwiches, salads, crepes, burgers, fish and chips. White Horse Country Pub features the culinary work of Fabrice Denis, former owner for 14 years of Voila! Restaurant in Fairfield and a graduate of the French Culinary Institute. White Horse desserts ($5 to $7) by pastry chef Marilyn Hart, are definitely not to be missed, especially the Banoffi pie, a banana, toffee and cream pie favored by the Royals; bourbon bread pudding; rhubarb fool; the White Horse tipsy cake; and English trifle.
The White Horse Country Pub 258 New Milford Turnpike (Route 202) Marbledale 860-868-1496 Open for lunch and dinner every day from 11 to 10; children s menu, $6.50; a la carte Sunday brunch, 11 to 3; bar open to closing. Reservations accepted for six or more; major credit cards; handicap accessible; child-friendly; full bar; international wines; $5-$8 by the glass, $17 to $32 by the bottle; English and American pub fare; vegetarian dishes; off-premises catering; take-out; casual dress; private functions; seasonal outdoor dining; private functions; parking adjacent to building.