Restaurant-Guide.com
hand picked restaurants

Mercifully, there are still what might be termed 'real' pubs around lending their charms and restorative powers to the rural British. True it is that WiFi has arrived at The Black Horse in a quiet, hidden, Buckinghamshire conservation village but this is no hindrance to the conduct of sociability in this quaint place so incredibly near to the heart of London.

Workmen building the Church of St James next door were billeted in the warren of rooms which still look much the same as they did then, except that the furnishings have moved up market with rich fabrics, antique furniture and pictures. The food is described as 'British Colonial' (BC) and a well-travelled wine list sits comfortably alongside those who prefer hand-pulled British beers. BC apparently includes honey and mustard glazed 'Stockings Farm' ham with fat chips, fried duck egg and pineapple chutney, or cider braised pork belly with shallot tatin and broad bean jus.

Whilst there are no great proclamations about seasonal food even the briefest of glimpses confirms such treats as pan-fried sea trout fillet on classic niçoise salad, or deep-fried Whiting goujons with crushed cumin and garlic peas and spiced 'Black Horse' ketchup, or a classic English lamb loin chops with marinated feta, baby gem, broad bean and pea salad. In a world where some believe it difficult to make chicken sound attractive any longer, at the Black Horse they offer corn-fed chicken schnitzel with harissa spiced aubergines, crisp sweet potato and soured cream, which seems to call the shots well enough.

Somebody who cares an awful lot about vegetables go out of their way to encourage interest in that department; try the baked goats' cheese with beetroot, oven-dried tomatoes and pistachio dressing or the wild mushroom, Barkham blue and rocket puff pastry turnover with heirloom tomato salad.

What people find so very tempting about the puddings here is the wines that go with them. A list of around 12 includes Château Laville Sauternes '05, and from Italy a Vin Santo di Capezzana Riserva '02, described as 'the wine of the saints'. But this is jumping the gun and thoughts of warm caramelised pineapple tarte tatin with cardamon ripple mascarpone, or steamed chocolate sponge with butterscotch syrup and clotted cream ice cream provide that final impetus.

A happy cheerful and experienced staff are always on hand to provide service that needs no prompting and will brighten the dullest day.

A convincing number of wines by the glass means that the art of pouring the right wine to go with your meal can be well pursued here, and advice is always on hand if required. Few bottles stray over the £20 boundary.

A visit to their Website will take care of matters such as changing menus or arrangements for special occasions.

The Apple Tree, tastefully restored to become a warm and inviting country pub, offers an upmarket gastronomic experience. Bright and spacious interiors involve the skilful use of natural materials that show off its contemporary design, while the log burning hearths, leather seating and comfortable teak furniture add a sense of panache. Service remains the same as ever - attentive and fast, making for memorable visits.

To set the right note of fashionable sociability there are sharing plates, box baked camembert with stiratta romagna and homemade tomato jam, and Mediterranean mezze of hummus, roasted vegetables, fregola, tzatziki, feta, spinach and ricotta pâté with warm flatbreads.

Amongst the appetisers look for freshly made soup; spiced crab, avocado, prawns, ginger and pink grapefruit, or water melon, prosciutto ham, feta and chilli ice cream. The salads - sorry, that should read 'leaves' - offer pan fried chicken livers, bacon, grapes, cherry tomatoes, herb croutons and grain mustard sauce, and for the seafood fiends some prawn, avocado, pecan, mango, watercress, bacon, orange and pomegranate vinaigrette never fail to please.

Pastas include linguini with tiger prawns, crab, chorizo, chilli, tomato and white wine, or tagliatelle with slow cooked Bolognaise and parmesan. For the big event there is calves liver with tray baked potatoes, red onion, bacon and sage panagrattato. The roast rump of lamb with sauce soubise, asparagus, pancetta and button onions is popular, a sign of the times and improving taste in eating. Spit chicken with lemon, garlic and thyme is worth trying too. For hearty eaters there are rib eye and fillet steaks or freshly battered haddock with frites, tartare sauce and minted mushy peas.

A wide range of supporting dishes include Belgium frites and mayo, and cabbage, leeks and peas. For desserts choose between an apple, blackcurrant crumble and vanilla custard, and sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream. A worthy selection of cheeses in guaranteed to set the buffs alight.

The Apple Tree stocks a range of continental beers as well as cask ales. To complement the food, there is a well chosen wine list which includes champagnes. Their service is cheerful, brisk and totally in keeping with the friendly nature of a good English gastropub.

More information, including full menus, is available on their Website.

Please note that the E-Mail Contact is for enquiries only, not for bookings. 

Café Rouge has over one hundred branches throughout Britain all offering a wide range of dishes drawn from the French cuisine. Slightly less than half their branches are in or close to London. Almost inevitably the décor and design of each restaurant differs from the others, but there is a general curtsy towards La France.

Many restaurants do an excellent breakfast, or shall we say petit dejeuner, at which such delights as scrambled eggs and smoked salmon on toasted brioche, croque Madame, croissants and pain au chocolat make welcome appearances, and to their credit the English traditional gets top billing.

An array of small dishes takes in pulled pork pâté with French bread, and spicy beef and lamb sausage with harissa mayonnaise. Salads and pasta feature largely, as do baguettes and croques. Quick dishes, ideal for lunch, include slices of saucisson and cured pork loin with French bread.

Moving on to more serious stuff we find steaks, an 8oz bavette and thin cut rib eye, with a choice of béarnaise or peppercorn sauce. No French menu would be complete without the poulet jaune grille, pan-roasted breast of corn-fed chicken served on a warm taboulé of bulgar wheat and a medley of roasted vegetables with minted crème fraîche, or a steak frites before moving on to the crème brûlée, or the tart tatin. Almost invariably the coffee tastes like coffee should, something that sadly can all too often still not be said of our English restaurants, who depend too much upon technology and too little on the acquisition of a certain flair for this important conclusion to a meal.

By now we all know that the French, despite their distinctive habits when it comes to matters of satisfying the inner man, maintain a miraculous longevity of life. This is generally attributed to a number of causes, of which a measured consumption of decent wine is foremost. Café Rouge, you may be pleased to hear, encourages this with a well-chosen selection of French wines. Their prix fixe lunch and meals for children, both at a very reasonable figure, also offer excellent value.

Their Website will keep you updated on menu changes, news and other competitions and offers from the Café Society.

Indigo Bar and Grill is a smart and contemporary addition to the culinary scene in Gerrards Cross and patrons will tell you that the pan Asian cuisine served at this restaurant is indeed some of the best. Everything about Indigo spells chic - consider the parquet floors and the modern, understated décor or the stylish bar which stocks numerous favourites and other interesting wines.

While the dishes you might find there seem typical, execution is anything but boring. If curries and rice based dishes are not your thing, then you could also opt for lighter alternatives such as baguettes, paninis and wraps. The lunchtime special meal offers great value, where a main course, rice or naan and a drink are charged very nominal rates. Relaxing options are also present with the grill and bar offering a respite along with some delicious cocktails and drinks.

El Boncena, located in the heart of Chalfont St Peter, focuses on enthralling diners with an exciting and intriguing fusion of Spanish tapas and Greek meze. An informal and lively atmosphere combines with a modest, yet gracefully designed, interior with vibrant abstract paintings hung on soft pastel hued walls and sunken ceiling lights that add character to the restaurant.

The cooking draws on authentic Spanish and Greek ingredients combined with a selection of local fresh produce to create an applause worthy selection of hot and cold tapas and meze to begin with a good variety of dishes to follow. Think traditional Spanish omelette with potatoes, peppers and onion; Greek Loukanika pork sausages, or pita bread with hummus followed by meat balls in a spicy tomato sauce or grilled whole sardines. Ring down the curtain on your meal with Marquesa de chocolate or the Catalonian styled vanilla flan, topped with caramelised sugar.

There's nothing quite like the aroma of freshly brewed coffee to rejuvenate your senses and Fego Caffe, with its pleasantly quaint continental ambience and comfortable atmosphere is an excellent place to visit with friends or colleagues. With their four locations spread across the UK, they are making their mark on the café scene and considering the delicious food they have on offer, it is hardly surprising they are becoming a welcome dining destination for many.

Coffee in all its forms is available and you are quite spoilt for choice, but do take a look at their breakfast menu with the delectable filled croissants, Panini baguettes, wraps, muffins and even a whole traditional English spread. Salads, pastas and burgers are adequate choices for other meals, while their desserts are simple but enticing, with a selection of cakes served with cream. For those who enjoy their tipple, there's a good selection of wines and spirits available to help ease along the meal.