Eating Out: Bill’s gives trusty chain a local flavour

The name Bill’s may be somewhat underwhelming to anyone that hasn’t had the pleasure of visiting one of their restaurants, but once you have it is a name you’ll not forget in a hurry.

If you want to know how well received Bill’s has been since replacing Villagio in the town, just try and book a table at the weekend.

This is fast becoming one of the places to eat in Dacorum.

Bill’s may be yet another chain and yes the High Street does need to maintain its tradition of having some great independents.

But Bill’s doesn’t feel like a chain and in many respects has local at its heart. It started out many years ago, when Bill Collison opened a small greengrocery in Lewes, East Sussex.

A few year later, he transformed the shop into a cafe that quickly became more popular than he could ever have imagined. So he opened another one in Brighton.

Fast forward to today and you can see why it is so popular. Cosy and inviting inside, the staff offer as warm a welcome as the candlelit tables.

The menus cater for all ages and are genuinely exciting. It is the sharing platters that steal the show, though. There are meat and veggie versions, the meat particularly delicious boasting chicken liver parfait, mini cumberland sausages, ‘mojo’ marinated chicken skewer, baba ganoush, marinated olives, hummus and grilled wholemeal pitta.

Fantastic burgers, including a haloumi option, luxurious fish finger sandwiches and shin of beef are highlights while the dessert offering is worth a visit on its own.

They’ve got everything right here even down to frosted glasses for drinks.

There is also a collection of Bill’s own branded products with things like beer on offer as the firm works with small local producers and suppliers to create it’s own range.

People might ask did Berkhamsted need another chain? Maybe not, but it definitely needs Bill’s.