Foodess' review of The Royal Oak

1) Lived up to expectation Sat eve 28 Feb and endorsed by friends who praised staff’s friendliness
2) £50/ head for 2 courses incl. aperitifs and 2 bottles of wine (recommended and will re-order)
3) Recession? This place in a serene Berkshire village buzzed
4) Consensus of opinion : Faultlessly scrumptious

Visited 11 Feb 09 just to check that a week or so ago wasn’t a fluke…..and definitely not, but the slow service last time presumably was. All dishes perfectly executed and arrived in respectable timescales. Instead of the Pithivier of rabbit which apparently sold out at lunchtime, I had smoked haddock soup with a poached egg nestled amongst the great fish hunks; then halibut with a carefully spiced aubergine kind of compote. The other half enjoyed the venison just as much as first time. We managed to share pudding which wasn’t the best take on a Sticky Toffee listed as “Steamed Butterscotch” but still good. Feels like a pub and still being run as one alongside the restaurant but they don’t seem to serve ordinary pub grub – thankfully.

Delightfully enticing menu with most dishes having a modern touch. Unfussy interior maintains pub atmosphere throughout. Wine list has a good variety including some recommended on a separate list. Kitchen service perhaps a shade slow as front of house staff were returning from (presumably) the kitchen empty handed. All was forgiven when we were finally presented with 5 star ingredients handled deftly and plated pleasingly simply. All components of meal carefully prepared, seasoned properly and cooked accurately; adequate amount of jus with the venison had good depth and glossy appearance. Waistline increased inches just glancing at the perfect buttery mash. Pithivier of rabbit to die for. Portions generous, so pud would have been a struggle, though a mouth-watering choice for next time. – first visit 4 Feb 09