This March, COLUCO, a new café and bar comes to both Tring and Thame. Splendid Restaurants, the group behind COLUCO, will transform two sites previously held by Jack & Alice wine bars to launch the new ventures. Bringing new menus and a fresh new look while holding on to the same warm welcome and friendly service. Tring opens following refurbishment on Thursday 21st March while Thame has opened its doors with the new menu and an exciting refurb planned for later in the year.
Both café bars are situated within the busy town centers; Tring on the High Street and Thame on Butter Market. Open all day, menus span from all-day brunch, to afternoon tea, through to casual dinners and drinks by night, with the name COLUCO simply drawing from coffee, lunch, and cocktails; the three pillars of the new concept. Both venues will provide a pit-stop for families, shoppers, workers and visitors alike to rest and refuel in a relaxing environment with a sense of community at the core.
In addition to all-day dining, the Thame venue will be home to The Cookery School, a brand-new destination to enhance cookery skills under the guidance of professional chefs.
The menu, which will be the same at both venues, has something to tempt and satisfy no matter what time of the day. To start the morning and through to the afternoon, guests can expect cosy brunch dishes such as smoked haddock kedgeree or pancakes with blueberry compote and crème fraiche with coffee from local roaster Flying Coffee Company. For an indulgent moment, a daily changing selection of cakes will be fresh from the kitchen of local bakers and will include vegan and gluten free options. Also served as part of the traditional afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones, jam and clotted cream.
In the evenings, dishes take influence from around the world and guests can expect to find seasonally changing menus of sharing bowls best enjoyed with a drink or two, such as prawns in gin and tonic batter, halloumi fries and arancini balls. Larger plates such as burgers, arrabiata pasta, beef rendang and daily specials will also be on offer.
To accompany the food, COLUCO will offer a curated choice of wines, craft beers, Champagnes, spirits and classic cocktails such as margaritas and martinis. Bookable cocktail masterclasses and wine tastings will be available for those wishing to learn the tricks of the trade from COLUCO’s drinks experts.
Both venues will offer private dining and bookable areas for larger groups. At Tring the basement will be transformed into a sultry cellar bar while the second-floor drawing room will have a cosy living room feel, and Thame will offer an upstairs room in addition to the event space within The Cookery School. With flexible spaces and menus and a team ready to accommodate, either COLUCO will offer a memorable venue for any celebration; from baby showers and birthdays to intimate wedding receptions and retirement parties! These spaces will also host community gatherings such as book clubs.
Situated above the restaurant, The Cookery School at COLUCO Thame will offer a relaxed, entertaining and educational hands-on experience. A place where families and friends can be brought together to enjoy a foodie day out unique to the area. The Cookery School is the sister property to the recently launched Cookery School at The Grand Hotel in York, spearheaded by chef Rob Cottam.
Up to eight guests can participate in any one class, allowing one-on-one time with the chefs; making the most of the time, be it a two-hour session or a full day workshop. The Cookery School will offer something for every taste and skill set; with planned classes including ‘curries of the world’, ‘pastry and desserts’, ‘a taste of Italy’ and ‘how to cook the perfect steak.’ Whatever the theme, each class will equip students with delicious dishes for easy entertaining while championing the best of local suppliers and producers. Little ones are not left out, with a series of children’s classes designed to help kids get excited about food and cooking in a fun and creative environment.
Two-hour classes start from £45, children’s sessions are priced at £25 per head. All ingredients and equipment are provided, refreshments served throughout, a keepsake apron plus bio-degradable packaging to take the fruits of your labour home.
COLUCO Tring is set to open its doors with a new lease of life on Thursday 21st March, while COLUCO Thame’s refurbishment is expected to complete in the Summer when it will relaunch alongside The Cookery School as a new addition.
COLUCO TRING
50 High Street, Tring, HP23 5AG
@coluco_tring
COLUCO THAME & THE COOKERY SCHOOL
14 Butter Market, Thame, OX9 3EP
@coluco_thame
Opening Hours:
Monday: 9am -5pm
Tuesday: 9am -5pm
Wednesday – Saturday: 9am -11pm (serving food 9am -9pm)
Sunday: 10am -5pm