The Bailiwick Freehouse

Modern European, Pubs·
££££
·

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
Modern European, Pubs
Ambience
Cosy, Traditional
Food Occasions
Dinner, Lunch, Sunday roast
Special Features
Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Birthdays, Group dining [8+]
Food Hygiene Rating

About

A good pub is hard to beat, and while there’s a place for the local boozer, we have a definite soft spot for a solid gastro-pub. Bringing high-end comfort food to Windsor is The Bailiwick Freehouse, a family-run venture headed up by husband-and-wife team Steven and Ami Ellis.

While Steven’s training under Clare Smyth gives him solid foundations to build a strong menu of classic dishes with a sophisticated twist, Ami’s credentials as a pastry chef means the dessert menu is just as tempting as the main offering. Seasonal produce is king here, with the pair passionate about featuring game on their line-up of refined pub grub. A succinct menu aims to avoid overwhelm and features starters like fallow deer pastrami salad or a pig’s trotter braised in red wine and served with apple, black pudding and a Gribiche sauce. Hearty mains include locally sourced venison served two ways, both a stuffed saddle and a braised leg croquette. This is accompanied by morel mushroom and wild garlic.

Highlights from the sweet menu showcase Ami’s experience and include a rum roasted pineapple tart tatin as well as a custard tartlet with English strawberries, Earl Grey custard and a elderflower and strawberry sorbet.

As any pub-goer knows, the drinks at an inn are nearly as important as the grub. Here you’ll find Windsor-made sparkling wines, beers made specifically for the pub by a local brewery as well as softs and spirits. If you just fancy a drink and some nibbles there’s also a snacks menu which covers things like a black pudding sausage roll and venison bon bons.

The cosy main dining room sets the tone for a vibe that feels convivial and relaxed, with the large oak bar sitting proudly in the middle of the space (this is a pub after all). Earthy tones, leather furnishings and artisanal ceramics all add to the laidback country atmosphere.

Location

Wick Road, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0HN

01784 477877 01784 477877

Website

Reviews

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1 Review 

Lloyd S

10 August 2021  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
A truly amazing lunch

We first met Steven & Ami at their previous establishment the Oxford Blue Pub where we’d visited a few times and absolutely loved it. Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond their control they had to start looking for a new place. This led them to taking over the Bailiwick Pub which is literally about five minutes drive away. What you’ll hear now is how you can turn around a situation and come back stronger.

 

The Bailiwick is in a fabulous location with the Windsor Great Park right on their doorstep. During lockdown they took advantage of the situation by giving the place a total refurb leaving them with a fabulous new establishment that they can call their own. Also with them only being down the road from the Oxford Blue have managed to keep some of their regulars plus attracting people who while having a walk in the park will literally pass by the front of the pub. So yes it can only be onwards and upwards from now on.

 

So now onto our visit which started with us heading from Hornchurch around the M25 to junction 13. From there it was only a short and direct ten minute drive to the Bailiwick which is tucked in a little side road and at an entrance to the Windsor Great Park of Wick Road. When we entered we received a great welcome from manager Liam who it was also a pleasure to see again. He sat us at the bar and poured us a complimentary glass of Sparkling Wine. Along with this we also enjoyed the first of our snacks. These were Mushroom Arancini with Truffle Mayonnaise that were absolute heaven.

 

Once we’d finished our drink and snack we were then escorted to our table where we had a nice outside view. Here we ordered two more of the snacks of Crispy Buffalo Hot Wings & Venison Bon Bons with a Mustard Mayonnaise. Also at this time ordered a Clarified Milk Punch Cocktail and a pint of Elton Boatman a golden ale from a local brewery.

 

STARTERS

 

Now it was time for our first course but not before enjoying some delicious Bread & Butter. Our first starter was my Pig Trotter Terrine with apple , black pudding & sauce gribache which was amazing and will definitely take some beating especially with the added egg yolk making this dish an absolute dream. My wife chose the Mussels Mariniere with a white wine cream sauce and the verdict was a definite thumbs up.

 

MAINS

 

Next to come were our  main courses. Firstly my wife loved the Jimmy Butler’s Roasted Pork Rack accompanied with seasonal vegetables , roast potatoes , yorkshire pudding & cauliflower cheese. Myself I chose the Windsor Great Park Roe Deer a braised leg croquette , mushrooms , peas , asparagus & wild garlic. Along with this I ordered two amazing side dishes of Chunky Chips & the heavenly Summer Truffle Mac & Cheese. These were two fabulous dishes that were not only a credit to the chefs but also to the quality of the produce from the local area.

 

DESSERTS

 

Now it was time for desserts from Ami who is one of my favourite pastry chefs and once again she produced two absolute delights. The Raspberry , Rose & Lychee Truffle not only looked beautiful but also tasted amazing. My dessert was a absolute chocolate lovers dream and personally can’t see it being bettered this year. The Chocolate Delice with milk chocolate , cocoa nib , vanilla salted caramel & malt ice cream is a dessert that will live long in my memory so thank you Ami.

 

We finished with coffee and petit fours to bring to an end a truly fabulous lunch. The food created by Steven and his team was amazing especially when you have great local produce. Desserts from Ami speak for themselves they were just delicious. The service from Liam , Liz and the staff was very friendly and professional. It was so good to see that Steven & Ami come back stronger from the disappointment of the Oxford Blue and I can only see them going from strength to strength here. So yes it will come as no surprise that I would highly recommend a visit and personally we can’t wait to go back again.

 

Thank You Steven , Ami , Liam for a fantastic afternoon and look forward to seeing you all again soon

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01784 477877 01784 477877

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