Country pub with nice food - Reading area??

[Sarsaparilllla]

Does anyone know of a nice country type pub that does restaurant type food rather than pub grub, in the Reading area?

I need to book somewhere for work - but I'm in Manchester so it's a bit tricky!?

I've been recommended the Crowne at Bray and the Bel and Dragon in Cookham so far - they both look like the type of thing I need but I'd like some other options too if possible.

:)

[grottielottie]

The Hinds Head at Bray (hestons pub down the road from the fat duck)

[IamFartacus]

George and Dragon, Swallowfield,, or the Elephant, Pangbourne. Both v. nice.

[Sarsaparilllla]

Thankyou so much :) I'll check those out

[Rollmops]

No to Elephant, has huge flat screen televisions, faux Thai interior and very ..ahem... average food.
Crooked Billet is fabulous, so is Beetle and Wedge - glorious!

[Byblyofyle]

The Pot Kiln at Frilsham (great for locally caught game) and the Cherry Tree at Checkendon.

[taffetacat]

yy to Hind's Head @ Bray

or the Royal Oak @ Paley Street - Michael Parkinson's pub - has a Michelin star

Chequers in Cookham Dean

[taffetacat]

btw the Crown in Bray and the Bel and Dragon are OK but a bit average, iykwim.

[aquavit]

I liked Bel and the Dragon taffeta - thought they did straightforward pub grub very very well (eg cracking fish and chips). Only been once though.

Perhaps not 'restaurant type food' though?

Not sure if the Crazy Bear is too far away for you but I absolutely love it there - gorgeous snug bar and the restaurant is good

[MollieO]

The Crown in Bray is also Heston owned. I don't think there is an eatery left there that he doesn't own.

Royal Oak at Bovingdon Green is very nice.

[MollieO]

Also if you want to go to minor celeb relative owned eateries then add the White Oak in Cookham to your list. Owned by Terry Wogan's dd and sil. Posh gastropub. Food nice but kept us waiting at the bar for ages the last time I went.

There is also The Sanctum on the Green in Cookham Dean which is supposed to be nice.

[tiokiko]

Bel & Dragon is nice but I think the Crooked Billet wins hands down, really like the feel of it.

Definitely prefer it to the Crown or Hinds Head but any of them are good.

[OutOutLetItAllOut]

the old shire horse is pretty and nice.

[ImASlatternGetMeOutOfHere]

The Bull Inn, Sonning

Lovely food, lovely surroundings.

[zam72]

Lovely food and atmosphere at Royal Oak, closer to Marlow than Reading

www.royaloakmarlow.co.uk/menu.php

www.crabatchieveley.com/ Crab at Chievely nice too - more restauranty than pub though I guess. Seafood.

[taffetacat]

Oh I love this thread, it brings back such memories. Age 18, Friday night lock ins at the Ringers, Bray ( now the Fat Duck ). Its a good area for pubs.

[RustyBear]

I'd recommend the George & Dragon at Swallowfield too, especially the calves' liver...