Fine Dining

Eat drink and be merry in South Oxfordshire

If the proof of the pudding is in the number of awards then the quality of the fine dining experience at Raymond Le Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons at Great Milton is there for all to see.

Two Michelin stars, voted into the top three restaurants in the country by the Which Good Food Guide 2007 and five rosettes from the AA restaurant Guide 2006 are just the tip of the iceberg for this establishment.

Fine dining is also on the agenda for Henley’s riverside Imperial Hotel. Simon Rogan, chef proprietor of the Michelin starred Lake District restaurant L’Enclume, has announced that he intends to buy the hotel and transform it into a high quality restaurant.

Also close to the river in Henley is the Hotel du Vin, located in the classic Georgian façade of the former Brakspears Brewery on New Street, Henley. It boasts of "a classic European cuisine with a contemporary edge."

Among South Oxfordshire’s many fine hotels the Swan at Streatley is of note, having been awarded two AA rosettes for its Cygnetures restaurant, which has stunning river views and a cellar of over 120 wines, while the Red Lion in Henley offers "a small locally-sourced a la carte menu."

Another of the district’s two rosettes hotels is the White Hart at Nettlebed, where the Bistro can seat up to 60 guests. Its namesake, the White Hart at Dorchester on Thames, offers "innovative fresh food, a high beamed ceiling and log fires."

The French Horn at Sonning is right on the fringe of South Oxfordshire, but again the view of the River Thames is a recognised feature of a restaurant famous for both classic French cuisine and traditional English cooking.

There’s a misconception that Indian restaurants are all about a quick curry and beer or a takeaway. The Spice Merchant at Henley is far removed from that image. Its chefs are flown in from India and each specialises in dishes that originate from the area in which they formerly lived.

The quality of the district's chefs is also something to be marvelled at and don't be surprised if you bump into a famous face or two. Plenty have made their home in the area and more are planning to move in.

Dining well doesn't automatically mean paying high prices because there's something to suit every budget. Value for money is a key to the success of the district's dining experience and it's why so many people keep coming back for more.

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