TOP-notch food and a host of craft beers are on the menu for the new owner of a South Lakeland pub.

The Crown Inn at High Newton is now in the hands of Mike Garnett – also owner of The Dalesman in Sedbergh – and exciting times are ahead for the business.

Adam Thorpe, previously of Simon Rogan’s Pig and Whistle in Cartmel, has teamed up with Mike to become the pub’s new manager and is pleased to be joined by the Pig’s former head chef, Gareth Webster.

“Gareth and I are both really excited about this new venture," said Adam, of Kendal. "We are a great team, both have a pure passion for food and service and want to put the Crown on the food map.

“We want it to be nice place for locals to enjoy, a great destination pub and one that is on people’s list of places to go in the area.”

Diners can expect a menu full of classic dishes with a twist, such as lamb and black pudding ‘tattie pot’, beef brisket braised in stout and grilled pork cutlet with braised lettuce and peas and a smoked pancetta cream.

“It is good quality traditional pub food, but we like to make each meal slightly different to keep it exciting. We want people to go away and talk about it,” he said. “There will be similarities in style to the food at the Pig and Whistle, and I’m sure people will be pleased to hear that Gareth’s signature homemade Scotch egg is on the menu.

“But he has come up with a completely different set of dishes full of new ideas, because we want the Crown to very much have its own identity.”

There are already plans in place for a summer beer festival (June 19-22) and a range of special events including food and beer pairings.

“We are looking in to so many exciting things that are going to be great fun for everyone,” added Adam. “I think it’s really important to have this alongside a fabulous food menu, and we are looking forward to sharing it with locals.”