Sir Charles Napier

Quite possibly one of the most embarrassing and awkward evenings I have spent as a diner. We were looking forward to a relaxed celebration of my mother-in-law's birthday. All was going to plan until our bottle of red (Ridge Geyserville 2007) appeared. When invited to taste the wine we immediately identified it as corked. The waiter initially thought we were joking. We weren't. He took the bottle away and some minutes later his superior appeared who deemed the wine to be in perfect condition and suggested that we let it breathe for five minutes. In the spirit of cooperation we agreed, during which time the taint became ever more obvious. When we explained this, a bottle of the 2008 was reluctantly delivered – half-way through our main course, 10 minutes later. We assumed this represented closure. However, the minute we had paid the bill, the proprietor launched into a vehement defence of not only the bad bottle but also her credentials as a wine taster. This would have been disrespectful to any paying customer but the fact that my other half is a Master of Wine and an internationally respected wine judge made the situation particularly farcical. I remain staggered at the lack of grace, diplomacy and customer service, and will not be returning. It seems that at the Sir Charles Napier, the customer is always right – provided he agrees with Julie Griffiths.

We had been seduced by this restaurant on a previous occasion during the winter, and the setting is even lovelier in summer with its gorgeous garden and views. Unfortunately we were disappointed with the food – which is fairly mediocre, but at Central London prices. Watch out for the cracked crab starter that which comes at £31 for supposedly 2 people, but which comes with much of the meat removed and is barely enough for 1 person., Our evening was spoilt however by the level of service – you had to ask several times for things to happen and when a dessert which had collapsed the waitress just walked off. Worst however are the subtle additions to the bill with an extra £20 added for drinks. These were promptly removed when we complained, but with hardly an apology, and after reading through some of the reviews below, it seems that this is a common occurance and they should not be given the benefit of the doubt. A pity the owners of this place have such a poor attitude towards its clientel that have made the detour to get there.

Overpriced, sloppy service, one hour from the time we arrived to food on the table, ridiculously expensive wine list, waiter cleaning a table where customer have left, in front of us, socking a towel on the wine cooler water, amateur, good food (not extraordinary food), very noisy (Sunday lunch, like a pub, well, it’s a pub), disappointing. Pass.

Set at a high point in the Chiltern Hills this charming country pub has an inviting exterior with pretty gardens. The olde worlde beamed interior is similarly charming at first glance, where the fine line between characterful and tired is now being breached. However, the artefact connection is worthy of mention both in sculptural and painted form. I would normally describe the food as mediocre plus, but the odd flash of delight does occasionally pop up. One such example was Saturday night : my starter of smoked haddock and cheese soufflé sat proudly in a delicate pool of creamy sauce flecked with spring onion and dotted with delicate pieces of fish – a texturally dreamy experience contrasting with powerful cheese and smoky flavours. Bread, wines and a heavily truffled risotto (it did come with a warning) were also very good. Mains of venison and halibut is where the dip occurred, and maybe the problem lay with over complicating in both cases. Sir CN is busy whenever we go and the menu always reads for wide appeal which probably helps keep ‘bums on seats’.

A hidden gem in the Oxfordshire where to taste the best english food…the risotto with wild mushrooms and truffle or barolo reduction is a must have! Friendly service and glorious garden where to drink a cocktail…a real pleasure to spend time there!

We ate at SCN last night. A party of six. Loved the atmosphere, food was good mostly – my wife's serving of scallops was too small, but the Ox Cheek went down well and the cheese board was awesome.

However, the whole evening was spoiled when the bill came – the price of every starter and main had been “rounded up” adding a considerable sum to the bill. We are happy to pay the advertised prices for high quality food and drink served in a pleasant environment, plus the service charge and the loading on the drinks, but why try to sting us for another 10% dishonestly?

We complained and the bill was rectified… but why oh why would anyone do such a thing in the first place? There's just no need, and they have unfortunately lost our trust: I can not again recommend SCN to our friends. Nor, despite having enjoyed ourselves there on several previous occasions in the last decade or so, will we come back to your restaurant ourselves.

Disappointed.