A Make-Over For Bill's, St Albans

I’ve mentioned more than once that Bill’s in St Albans is a favourite of mine. It’s the restaurant G and I ate in the first time we came to view our flat. It’s my default for a casual catch up with friends, for when G and I just want tasty, reliable food surrounded by cute interiors.

Plus it’s literally two minutes from the flat so convenient if nothing else.

In early January, on my way to work, I noticed that Bill's was closed up and there was a hub of activity going on inside. Every time I’ve walked past in the last few weeks, I’ve wondered what it was going to look like after a refurbishment.

So when my pal (and fellow blogger) Lisa invited me to join her at their re-opening, I was happy to go have a nosy whilst we enjoyed a catch up.

It’s immediately obvious that Bill’s has had a make-over from the outside. There’s retro ‘movie’-style lighting around the restaurant name, window box flowers, and elaborate decorations of red flowers and a fake peacock surrounding the door. It’s certainly eye-catching and inviting.

Inside, there’s a lot more colour everywhere, right down to the wallpaper in the staircase up to the loos. There’s vintage, chintz-type chairs and sofas, all bold colours, with mirrors, pots, frames and plants decorating the walls in a v Instagram-worthy fashion.

It’s all a bit more polished than before, but manages to maintain elements of the shabby-chic vibe and still feels very Bill's.

The main difference is the new seated bar area, encouraging you to pop in for cocktails and nibbles in a way you wouldn’t have done before. We sampled a few different cocktails; the Hedgerow Fizz, the Raspberry & Rosehip Collins and the English Country Garden (as well as a cheeky glass of good old prosecco) and they were all right up my street; exactly the kind of cocktail I’d want on an evening out. My favourite was the Hedgerow Fizz if you were wondering (I am far too keen on prosecco)!

Bill’s menu has also had a make-over; after a quick inspection, I could see that they now have an ‘all day’ menu instead of separate breakfast, lunch and dinner menus and, honestly, it looks dreamy. There are loads of new things to try (although I was pleased to see my favourite halloumi burger is still kicking about); I particularly want to eat everything in the ‘lunch plates’ section and get a group together to try the ‘sharing dinner’ small plates.

We got the chance to try a whole host of stuff from the new ‘nibbles and starters’ section; the spiced nuts (these guys were surprisingly moreish), giant olives, fried halloumi sticks, devilled chicken skewers, beetroot & goats cheese crispy rice balls, duck puffs, spicy lamb & beef meatballs and gratinated prawns. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the duck puff personally, but everything else was really tasty. Special shout out to the halloumi sticks and meatballs!

There was a bit of a party whilst we were there so I’m keen to go back and inspect those new interiors when it’s a bit quieter, and I can’t wait to go give their new menu a proper try.

Our drinks & nibbles were complimentary but all opinions my own. V much a fan of Bill's!