Harden's survey result
Summary
“A model of consistency, value and great taste” – Michael Macdonald’s “small and beautifully formed hidden gem” – “a quiet, old timbered room, looking onto a garden” – wins practically nothing but rapturous feedback: “a most wonderful experience” providing “fine dining at reasonable prices” where “everything is outstanding”. Top Tip: “good value for lunch with a choice of well-balanced set menus”.
Summary
“An under-appreciated jewel!” say fans of Michael Macdonald’s highly-rated venture – “an intimate, timbered (and nicely extended but still very small and very cramped) dining room” with “enthusiastic” staff (in what was once TS Eliot’s home). Michael Mcdonald’s “consistently brilliant” food is “immaculate, the flavours beautifully calculated, the wine list is wide-ranging and imaginative, and prices are a snip compared with its many famous local competitors which it ranks highly against: why it has no Michelin recognition is baffling”.
Summary
Perhaps Michelin should take one of the stars from the nearby Hand & Flowers and give it to Michael Macdonald’s “wonderful” venture? “It’s like having a world class chef invite you to his house” – “the dining room is tiny and it can feel like eating in a home” – but the “exciting” cuisine is “always brilliant”, and “staff are attentive and knowledgeable too”.
Summary
It is “so small”, but – on most accounts – Michael Macdonald’s well-established venture is “perfectly formed”, with a “lovely” atmosphere. The big deal though, is his “wonderful, seasonal cooking” – it’s “the epitome of consistent quality”, and “every course is a delight”.
Owner's description
Welcome to The Vanilla Pod.
The Restaurant has been awarded 2010 Regional Winner of the Good Food Guide, Reader’s Restaurant of the Year Award, The Top 100 independent restaurant by Good Food Guide 2013, Listed 92nd by Sunday Times Top 100 Hardens Guide.
Thank you for all your support over the years to which there have been a lot of changes at The Vanilla Pod.
As you may well be aware I have been working alone in the kitchen for the last 4 years, so I do apologise if I am unable to see you all but you are more than welcome to pop your head around the door into the kitchen, it would be great to see you.
Kind regards
Michael Macdonald
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner | £40.00 | £45.00 |  |
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| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £37.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
Restaurant details
The Vanilla Pod Restaurant Diner Reviews
"It's twee and tiny. Best value restaurant in Marlow, if you can forgive it that."
31 West St, Marlow, SL7 2LS
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm-10 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm-10 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm-10 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm-10 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm-10 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
