Who's been to the Hand & Flowers, Marlow?
Discussion
dazco said:
I was speaking to a Michelin assessor and he said their ratings are based only on the food.
This is how I understand that it works too, although I think this may be a more recent focus. When I first started eating out at Michelin-starred places about ten years ago, they all seemed to have gone through the 'Michelin tick-list':- starched tableclothes
- fancy cutlery/crockery/stemware
- formal or semi-formal service
- Moulton Brown soap/moisturiser and little cotton towels to dry your hands in the loos
Now there are quite a few places recognised by the Michelin Guide that don't necessarily fit that template and I think that's a good thing.
But it's also worth remembering that as I understand it, the Guide rates places based on what sort of establishment they are, or are trying to be, and at their particular price point. By that I mean that you shouldn't expect the same quality of ingredients/cooking at a 2-star pub or bistro where you're spending £20 for a 3 course lunch menu as you'd expect at a fine dining restaurant where you're paying upwards of £70 a head for dinner.
So would I expect The Hand & Flowers to be as good as Midsummer House or le Manior? No, but I'd also expect it to be a fair bit cheaper too.
Went there last week for the first time and it certainly didn't disappoint. All the food was cooked to perfection. Pretty good value too. Saw they also do a set menu for £30 which is incredible for a 2* 'pub'. My only minor criticism is that all the tables are very close together and you have to physically move them to get out, therefore disturbing other guests. Would definitely go back.
We went last year and it was mildly disappointing.
The main problem was that most of the dishes were just over-salted to one degree or another. We did subtly mention it and got a perfunctory apology. Dessert was unsullied by sodium though and was delicious.
Apart from that the presentation, textures etc. were all good and you could tell there were flavours being overpowered by the salt, although I've had far better elsehwere, from places with much lower ratings from Michelin etc.
It was a memorable evening though as we were sat across from Rob Brydon which made it feel like an episode of The Trip
The main problem was that most of the dishes were just over-salted to one degree or another. We did subtly mention it and got a perfunctory apology. Dessert was unsullied by sodium though and was delicious.
Apart from that the presentation, textures etc. were all good and you could tell there were flavours being overpowered by the salt, although I've had far better elsehwere, from places with much lower ratings from Michelin etc.
It was a memorable evening though as we were sat across from Rob Brydon which made it feel like an episode of The Trip
Rob Brydon said:
Come, come, Mr. Bond!
I went to the Coach on Saturday, his other pub.
A sort of english tapas would be a good description we had a couple of mains each, a couple of sides and drinks for under £100. No booking which whilst initially annoying worked out ok for us even on a Saturday.
Enjoyed it and a good alternative.
I also heard that he's just bought another pub in town as well.
A sort of english tapas would be a good description we had a couple of mains each, a couple of sides and drinks for under £100. No booking which whilst initially annoying worked out ok for us even on a Saturday.
Enjoyed it and a good alternative.
I also heard that he's just bought another pub in town as well.
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