Aubergine at The Compleat Angler

It may share a name with the much acclaimed Chelsea restaurant, but this Marlow outpost also has plenty of things in common with the original. Housed within The Compleat Angler Hotel, which paints a picture of a sought after romantic destination by the Thames, Aubergine fuses the idea of English elegance with French finesse and finally manages to bring a touch of urban style to a tranquil country setting.

The menu draws inspiration from the French culinary lexicon and there are terrines, pithiviers, foie gras and the like, so expect an explosion of flavours in starters of smoked salmon, dill scented potato pancake and sour cream, or a warm salad of quail in a hazelnut and orange dressing. Follow on with a main course of monkfish wrapped in Bayonne ham with braised peas, onions and lettuce, and saddle of Lune Valley lamb with tian of provençale vegetables and olive jus. A pear tatin or passion fruit soufflé may be an interesting idea to finish.