Who's been to the Hand & Flowers, Marlow?
Discussion
Bonefish Blues said:
I was chatting to someone in the restaurant trade about my impressions of the H&F (a bit meh, tbh) and he gave a very strong recommendation for this outfit, also in Marlow: http://www.thevanillapod.co.uk/
Not tried it yet, but in the spirit offering alternatives, if rqd.
Edit to correct 2 year old's intervention...
I was in the Vanilla Pod a couple of years ago for lunch and I remember it as being very good, certainly every bit as good as the lunch I had at the H&F just before Christmas. I thought it was slightly odd to try and use vanilla throughout a meal but it worked well. It also came out reasonably well in the Times 100 restaurants. Not tried it yet, but in the spirit offering alternatives, if rqd.
Edit to correct 2 year old's intervention...
tuffer said:
My wife tried to get us in for my Birthday in March......no chance. Looks like it will be back to Nathan Outlaws, no hardship there 
I tried to book for my girlfriends in March too - only few places left, at half 9... Bonefish Blues said:
I was chatting to someone in the restaurant trade about my impressions of the H&F (a bit meh, tbh) and he gave a very strong recommendation for this outfit, also in Marlow: http://www.thevanillapod.co.uk/
So have ended up booking at the vanilla pod, heard few good things Unlight said:
Anyone have any advice on how to get to Marlow from Gatwick? Thinking of a quick visit here on an overnight stay at Gatwick, but worried it may be too much hassle!
M23>M25>M4 exit J8/9 > north A404 exit Marlow - about an hour+ depending on traffic. Not worth the hassle... RichB said:
M23>M25>M4 exit J8/9 > north A404 exit Marlow - about an hour+ depending on traffic. Not worth the hassle...
I'd agree that it's not really worth that sort of journey. Better to head to Restaurant Tristan down the road in Horsham. Not been myself but only heard good things about it. 
Mrs flat6er took me out for my birthday yesterday. It was a surprise so when we arrived I wasnt sure what to make of it.
A pint of Hand and Flowers ale in a jug glass and i'd relaxed a bit.
A few cheeky camera snaps, and the food was amazing.
Service was great, although we had different waitress bring each course so continuity was odd.
I had blowtorched scallop with truffle and beef consume and the missus had crispy deepfried pig head, both dishes amazing, the pigs head was especially good.
Mains were duck and duck fat chips and pigeon breasts with a parsnip cake, which was essentially a fondant parsnip.
I had the apple tart witn the incredible burnt milk icecream and she had chocolate and ale cake.
An Argentinine mendoza helped it all go down and then the waitress spotted my copy of his cookbook, whisked it away for Chef to sign with a happy birthday message.
The cost was just shy of £200 and it was soooooo worth it.
All in all we're still buzzing about it.
so Tom Kerridge keeps telling us.[quote=Flat6er]
Mrs flat6er took me out for my birthday yesterday. It was a surprise so when we arrived I wasnt sure what to make of it.
A pint of Hand and Flowers ale in a jug glass and i'd relaxed a bit.
A few cheeky camera snaps, and the food was amazing.
Service was great, although we had different waitress bring each course so continuity was odd.
I had blowtorched scallop with truffle and beef consume and the missus had crispy deepfried pig head, both dishes amazing, the pigs head was especially good.
Mains were duck and duck fat chips and pigeon breasts with a parsnip cake, which was essentially a fondant parsnip.
I had the apple tart witn the incredible burnt milk icecream and she had chocolate and ale cake.
An Argentinine mendoza helped it all go down and then the waitress spotted my copy of his cookbook, whisked it away for Chef to sign with a happy birthday message.
The cost was just shy of £200 and it was soooooo worth it.
All in all we're still buzzing about it.[/quote
f
k me , is this was happens when one resides in Buckingham Shire ? Relieved you of 200 quid in return for half empty plates of burnt milk ice cream etc which was soooooo worth it .
st , sorry mate , must be the redneck realist in me visualizing a meal that cost over 300 bucks . Did you ask for the 2 for 1 menu ?
Mrs flat6er took me out for my birthday yesterday. It was a surprise so when we arrived I wasnt sure what to make of it.
A pint of Hand and Flowers ale in a jug glass and i'd relaxed a bit.
A few cheeky camera snaps, and the food was amazing.
Service was great, although we had different waitress bring each course so continuity was odd.
I had blowtorched scallop with truffle and beef consume and the missus had crispy deepfried pig head, both dishes amazing, the pigs head was especially good.
Mains were duck and duck fat chips and pigeon breasts with a parsnip cake, which was essentially a fondant parsnip.
I had the apple tart witn the incredible burnt milk icecream and she had chocolate and ale cake.
An Argentinine mendoza helped it all go down and then the waitress spotted my copy of his cookbook, whisked it away for Chef to sign with a happy birthday message.
The cost was just shy of £200 and it was soooooo worth it.
All in all we're still buzzing about it.[/quote
f
k me , is this was happens when one resides in Buckingham Shire ? Relieved you of 200 quid in return for half empty plates of burnt milk ice cream etc which was soooooo worth it . s
t , sorry mate , must be the redneck realist in me visualizing a meal that cost over 300 bucks . Did you ask for the 2 for 1 menu ?Apology accepted, its ok, you can't help it. Canadian cuisine seems to consist of bacon, Poutine, and or Maple syrup.
If you really cannot comprehend spending good money on food that is prepared to the highest of standards then you have probably had too many truck stop meals. Thanks for your input.
If you really cannot comprehend spending good money on food that is prepared to the highest of standards then you have probably had too many truck stop meals. Thanks for your input.
The H&F is actually pretty cheap for a 2 star place. You'd be spending lots more for an evening meal in Le Manoir or Gavroche etc. And another step up again for anything 3 star.
We actually got introduced to the H&F when he did a really good lunch deal 2 courses for £15 if I recall. Other places do specials as well, so you can eat in top places much cheaper than the headline prices but it's never going to be cheap.
We actually got introduced to the H&F when he did a really good lunch deal 2 courses for £15 if I recall. Other places do specials as well, so you can eat in top places much cheaper than the headline prices but it's never going to be cheap.
Flat6er said:
Apology accepted, its ok, you can't help it. Canadian cuisine seems to consist of bacon, Poutine, and or Maple syrup.
If you really cannot comprehend spending good money on food that is prepared to the highest of standards then you have probably had too many truck stop meals. Thanks for your input.
If you really cannot comprehend spending good money on food that is prepared to the highest of standards then you have probably had too many truck stop meals. Thanks for your input.
On the point of portion size thought, it does pi55 me off these days when restaurants serve a main course without any vegetables or side dish. I have to say the main dishes look attractive but also appear to be lacking something. And before you all chip in, yes I do eat at decent restaurants. 
Bonefish Blues said:
I was chatting to someone in the restaurant trade about my impressions of the H&F (a bit meh, tbh) and he gave a very strong recommendation for this outfit, also in Marlow: http://www.thevanillapod.co.uk/
Not tried it yet, but in the spirit offering alternatives, if rqd.
Edit to correct 2 year old's intervention...
Since the thread has resurrected itself, thought I should add that I have now been to the Vanilla Pod and had a truly outstanding meal - the best of the last couple of years. Great cooking, albeit in a very different style to Hand & F.Not tried it yet, but in the spirit offering alternatives, if rqd.
Edit to correct 2 year old's intervention...
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