Harden's survey result
Summary
“Exquisite” cooking is commended by diners at Ryan & Liam Simpson-Trotman’s well-rated venue, near Henley, where numerous reporters had their best meal of the year in our latest annual survey. There is a ten-course tasting menu for £130, but you don’t have to go the whole hog: there’s also a ‘half menu’ option (at £80) and an à la carte offering.
Summary
“Serious food in a chilled and characterful countryside pub setting” has won acclaim for Ryan & Liam Simpson-Trotman’s well-established venture, a short drive from Henley. The “superb tasting menu” provides “a veritable cornucopia of interestingly conceived and original dishes, worthy of a higher ranking from the French tyremaker” (who inexplicably has not given them a star yet). “There was prodigious use of dry ice during our meal like at The Fat Duck, except here it’s 1/4 price and 1/10 as pretentious!”
Summary
“Love it, love it, love it!” is the universal theme in all feedback on Ryan & Liam Simpson-Trotman’s gentrified pub, a short drive out of Henley, where, in summer, you can “eat the beautiful garden with views of the countryside”. Service is “professional” and the well-judged cooking – “innovative” without being unduly ‘cheffy’ – is “exceptional”. Michelin continue to miss a trick here.
Summary
“Love it, love it, love it!” is the universal theme in all feedback on Ryan & Liam Simpson-Trotman’s gentrified pub, a short drive out of Henley, where, in summer, you can “eat the beautiful garden with views of the countryside”. Service is “professional” and the well-judged cooking – “innovative” without being unduly ‘cheffy’ – is “exceptional”. Michelin continue to miss a trick here.
For 32 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Orwells?
Owner's description
Orwells is set inside a pretty pub building, located just 5 minutes from the town centre of Henley on Thames and 10 minutes from Reading. Also easily accesible from London via Paddington Station, in only 30 minutes.
Chefs Ryan Simpson & Liam Trotman previously achieved 2 AA Rosettes a cooking score of 5/10 in the Good Food Guide and 1 Michelin Star at The Goose in 2010. After leaving The Goose Ryan and Liam went on to Open Orwells in May 2010.
Since then Orwells has achieved 3 AA Rosettes, a cooking score of 6/10 Good Food Guide, a listing in the Michelin Guide and won The Good Food Guides Readers Restaurant of the year, A listing in the Tatler Magazine, being recognised amount the best of British and finally 3 Gold Stars in the Sustainable Restaurant Association for being a champion of sustainability as well as other local recognition.
The ethos is to serve nothing but the highest quality food in a relaxed setting free from frippery and fuss where families, friends and colleagues can all feel equally at home. While you won't find a bevy of locals propping up our bar, we do have a beautiful garden that - weather permitting - is open to drinkers as much as diners, and through our set lunch and dinner menus we strive to offer something for every budget.
The ingredients are soured locally where ever possible that reflect the best of what Britain can produce, so although we take a modern approach to preparing them and aren't averse to the odd creative flourish, the idea of letting fabulous ingredients stand out is at the heart of what we do.
Orwells is located on Shiplake Row, near Henley on Thames, surrounded by farmland in the beautiful South Oxfordshire countryside just on the Berkshire boarder. Nearby we have our own small holding and apiary where most of our fruit, vegetables and honey are produced.
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £0.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
Restaurant details
Orwells Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Clearly didn’t have the same experience as the bulk of other Hardens reviewers. Tasting menu was over-salted for the greater part and was of varying quality - there was a suspicion that the chef was either letting someone else prepare and cook or was absent. The wine list leaps into expensive with little choice in the reasonable price range and, therefore, needs rethinking. Service was pleasant but only one member of front of house was knowledgeable of ingredients/wine/cooking processes. The place was near empty and there was a good deal of ‘negative muttering’ from another table. A walk-in customer decided to play a video on his phone at max. volume - which just about ruined any ‘good’ about the meal/experience. There seemed to be potential and it may be I hit an off-day but at the price, I expected much, much more."
Shiplake Row, Shiplake, RG9 4DP
| Number of Diners: | |
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Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6:30 pm‑9:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3:30 pm |
