So the big 50 is looming in less than a week, and being an Avid GBM fan. My wife dug deep and booked us a meal and overnight at the Hand and Flowers in Marlow. Every time we see Tom on TV he's always saying "Flavour, Flavour", So we were looking forward to a 2 Starred meal par excellence.
We checked in and were taken to our accommodation, by a driver laid on by the Restaurant in an immaculate lexus 4x4, so far so good I felt like a VIP.
Got to the room, only for the key not to fit the locks, so the driver had to source us the Handymans key.
The room was OK, the bathroom was tiny I'm 6"5 and 20st, so one at a time only. There was a hot tub in the courtyard (We Stayed in Mallard), which was pleasant and great to unwind before dinner.
The driver turned up spot on as arranged, and we were taken to The H&F. Pre dinner drinks were ordered, not cheap but they were enjoyable. We were then taken through to the dining room, if you are tall remember to duck.
The menu is 3 courses. However there was a little sausage roll and mustard amuse bouche, which i thought the pastry slightly overcooked? I chose the haddock omelette and Mrs N the Tin Miners Tart. The omelette was tasty, but possibly just overcooked? The couple next to us actually sent their starters back. Mrs N had no complaints and really enjoyed hers.
The Mains I had the Pork, Mrs N the chicken pie. Mine was OK, there was nothing that wowed me. Mrs N the chicken Pie and the fact she only ate half then asked me to finish it for my opinion? I have to say it didn't work the stuffing around the chicken was dry, it was underseasoned and the pastry tough. The lardons in her sauce were possibly too big and on the whole the dish didn't work for us. The accompanying veg, Mash and Green cabbage in its own jacuzzi of butter.
Desserts were Milk toffee tart and Creme Brulee, and we both were questioning the quality/flavours that we swapped halfway through and both of us were deflated.
Luckily the wine came free due to the inconvenience of being locked out of our room.
The car ride back to the room was at least high quality.
Breakfast the next morning was good, but if you want a Good Breakfast try The Angel at Hetton and see what can be achieved.
Overall I feel like possibly the eye has been taken off the ball?🤷♂️. Which the couple sat next to us on their 4th Visit said "We've noticed it go down hill over the times we've visited and think this is our last!!".
So to review? is it a pub? is it a restaurant? or is it the fact that the area is so affluent that they just pay and don't care?
Or have we just been spoiled and been really lucky in our previous choices?
Sorry but as much as we wanted to love it, we were left wanting.