Harden's survey result
Summary
“A divine rural location and consistently excellent, seasonal food” have drawn celebs and ordinary mortals alike to former punk bass guitarist (John Otway, Sweet) Paul Clerihugh’s one-of-a-kind gastropub for 30 years. “We’ve eaten here maybe 350 times over two decades and I recall only one poor meal – what a standard to have maintained!”. Prices can be “a bit too steep”, but are easily justified “on a cloudless summer’s evening, when the whole experience is magical”.
Summary
“Wonderful out-of-the-way” gastropub “down the end of a winding lane” and with “an amazing indoors with a dining room plastered with intriguing old photos”, which still “sets standards others struggle to meet” (listen up pop pickers, it’s owned by ex-Sweet and John Otway rock guitarist Paul Clerehugh, who set up here in 1989). “Never had a bad meal, course or service: it always delivers with taste, charm and pizzazz”. “A handwritten daily changing menu is always a joy to hold – other pretenders take note”.
Summary
Paul Clerehugh “has really found the formula to please his customers” at this “tucked out-of-the-way” gastropub “down the narrow country lanes” of the Chiltern Hills, between Reading and Henley, where “there is always a friendly smile and something delicious on the menu”. “I’ve been coming here roughly once a fortnight over 15 years, and it never fails to please!”
Summary
“Tucked away in the Chiltern Hills between Reading and Henley”, Paul Clerehugh’s “wonderful, out-of-the-way pub/restaurant” is “still a favourite after many years”. The food is “gorgeous”, staff are “very friendly and cheerful” and the oak-beamed interior is “just lovely” (there’s also “the option of eating in the secret garden area” at the back). Top Tip – “great music nights”.
Restaurant details
The Crooked Billet Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Our annual visit. Nice ambience and friendly (though flawed) service. Asked if we wanted bread and olives, but really they should have asked bread OR olives; turns out they charge £4 for bread and £3.50 for olives (!) - really aimed at more than two people but they did offer to put the remaining olives in a box to take home. Ordered wine, which only came after the starters and a reminder, served quickly so we didn't notice that it was Malbec (nice but pricey at £29) instead of the somewhat cheaper Merlot we'd asked for. Tuna sashimi was not served Japanese style but the mix of thin-sliced fish (really carpaccio), mooli, wasabi and a bit of pickled ginger was nice. Mussels were superb - good mussels not overcooked and a delicious, unusually good, cream sauce. Venison with pears and haggis good, but a bit too salty. Sole was good. Too full for dessert, and anyway you get fudge with the coffee. Bill originally omitted wine; we told them and as a "reward" got a little box of fudge to take home. Prices creeping up but that's happening everywhere."
"4th Time here, never disappointed, went for music night - amazing venue for live music. Food excellent as ever, first Moule in 32 years - delicious, we had a top evening in all ways. Will be going back for my Birthday. Love it."
"We visited on a busy Friday, we found a table near the fire, #seksymissus had Scallops with dry black pudding, Cremated crispy duck. Twice baked Scones ( cheese soufflé) and Lamb Rump. Server was top grade, full of diners on the very good value lunchtime menu "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £17.50 |  |
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| SundayLunch | £29.50 | |
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £8.00 | £17.00 | £4.00 | £6.50 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £23.50 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.75 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
Newlands Ln, Stoke Row, RG9 5PU
Opening hours
| Monday | 12 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑10:30 pm |
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