The Greyhound Country Pub & Resturant.
After a long week at work, it was a real pleasure for us to arrive at The Greyhound in Rotherfield Peppard on a glorious Friday evening. Pretty as a picture, this charming English village pub with its ancient brick and timber exterior and red tiled roof, is set back off a peaceful country lane in the most pleasing of locations. Although it was already 9pm, the natives, and visitors alike are relaxing and chatting at attractive teak tables with cotton parasols in the well-kept gardens. Either side of the front door I was enchanted to spot the two elegant stone greyhounds welcoming us inside. The interior was equally delightful, a cosy beamed bar, chocolate-brown leather sofas, chic art deco lamps, antiquated books and vases of gorgeous long stemmed white lilies. Unsurprisingly this hospitable and well-run pub was positively bustling, but it took just a blink of an eye for the charismatic and efficient Jamie Tomlinson to welcome us, present the menus, and locate our table.
Kevin Whitehouse the chef/patron took over this establishment in July 2002 and converted the barn, creating a bewitching restaurant with high beamed ceilings and a stone-flagged floor, which tonight is aglow with an abundance of alluring twinkling candles. Around the room, there is an array of vast gilded mirrors, handsome Gainsbourgh’’esque paintings, and even a quirky boars head silently taking in the proceedings from the lofty walls above. Our table was stylish, simple, and refined with crisp white linen, shining glasses, interesting knotted cutlery, and butter pats in petite glass dishes! It is this attention to detail throughout that produced the feeling of escaping the bustle of the day-to day. As the ambience gently enfolded us, we found ourselves relaxing into the inviting and captivating surroundings. Now it feels like the weekend has really started! The wine list proffers great choices - we selected the Gavi di Gavi Lantana a delicious dry clean crisp Italian from Peimeonte. You can deliberate over white wines from a Pinot Grigio to a rather special Mersault Thierry Matrot 1999 or the reds that are equally varied from an Australian Shiraz, to a flavoursome red Burgundy Aloxe Corton 1996. In the restaurant the menu changes weekly and is decidedly modern and imaginative – to start I opted for the intriguing Field mushrooms stuffed with asparagus; tomato and spinach glazed goats cheese and sprinkled with pine kernels. Beautifully presented and utterly delectable - undoubtedly one of the most mouth watering and engaging dishes I have every tried. My fiancé decided on the Sardines filled with Kumquat butter on a braised baby fennel, he pronounced them absolutely delicious. The professional staff is friendly and attentive; our waitress, Sian Richards confidently contributed to our choices of food and wine, and was truly knowledgeable of the inventive dishes by Chef David Benney. She recommended the Wing of skate, which was served with a lemon chervil butter sauce and accompanied with herb flavoured cous cous. I loved it as it was flavoursome yet delicate, healthy and so simply presented. My fiancé opted for the Cornish Sea Bass stuffed with spinach and prawns and a timbale of basmati rice and a green herb dressing. He promptly looked as though he was the cat that ate the cream. The desserts were true comfort food, luscious strawberry cheesecake with light mouse and rich caramelised biscuit, and a heavenly white chocolate mouse tart - pure hedonistic pleasure.
Whether you, deserve a treat, or wish for pure escapism, relax and be spoilt by the team at The Greyhound. Set in unspoilt and peaceful countryside, you are assured an excellent fine-dining experience, with beautifully presented and delicious food served with style and flair. I for one could not imagine a more marvellous country retreat.
After a long week at work, it was a real pleasure for us to arrive at The Greyhound in Rotherfield Peppard on a glorious Friday evening. Pretty as a picture, this charming English village pub with its ancient brick and timber exterior and red tiled roof, is set back off a peaceful country lane in the most pleasing of locations. Although it was already 9pm, the natives, and visitors alike are relaxing and chatting at attractive teak tables with cotton parasols in the well-kept gardens. Either side of the front door I was enchanted to spot the two elegant stone greyhounds welcoming us inside. The interior was equally delightful, a cosy beamed bar, chocolate-brown leather sofas, chic art deco lamps, antiquated books and vases of gorgeous long stemmed white lilies. Unsurprisingly this hospitable and well-run pub was positively bustling, but it took just a blink of an eye for the charismatic and efficient Jamie Tomlinson to welcome us, present the menus, and locate our table.
Kevin Whitehouse the chef/patron took over this establishment in July 2002 and converted the barn, creating a bewitching restaurant with high beamed ceilings and a stone-flagged floor, which tonight is aglow with an abundance of alluring twinkling candles. Around the room, there is an array of vast gilded mirrors, handsome Gainsbourgh’’esque paintings, and even a quirky boars head silently taking in the proceedings from the lofty walls above. Our table was stylish, simple, and refined with crisp white linen, shining glasses, interesting knotted cutlery, and butter pats in petite glass dishes! It is this attention to detail throughout that produced the feeling of escaping the bustle of the day-to day. As the ambience gently enfolded us, we found ourselves relaxing into the inviting and captivating surroundings. Now it feels like the weekend has really started! The wine list proffers great choices - we selected the Gavi di Gavi Lantana a delicious dry clean crisp Italian from Peimeonte. You can deliberate over white wines from a Pinot Grigio to a rather special Mersault Thierry Matrot 1999 or the reds that are equally varied from an Australian Shiraz, to a flavoursome red Burgundy Aloxe Corton 1996. In the restaurant the menu changes weekly and is decidedly modern and imaginative – to start I opted for the intriguing Field mushrooms stuffed with asparagus; tomato and spinach glazed goats cheese and sprinkled with pine kernels. Beautifully presented and utterly delectable - undoubtedly one of the most mouth watering and engaging dishes I have every tried. My fiancé decided on the Sardines filled with Kumquat butter on a braised baby fennel, he pronounced them absolutely delicious. The professional staff is friendly and attentive; our waitress, Sian Richards confidently contributed to our choices of food and wine, and was truly knowledgeable of the inventive dishes by Chef David Benney. She recommended the Wing of skate, which was served with a lemon chervil butter sauce and accompanied with herb flavoured cous cous. I loved it as it was flavoursome yet delicate, healthy and so simply presented. My fiancé opted for the Cornish Sea Bass stuffed with spinach and prawns and a timbale of basmati rice and a green herb dressing. He promptly looked as though he was the cat that ate the cream. The desserts were true comfort food, luscious strawberry cheesecake with light mouse and rich caramelised biscuit, and a heavenly white chocolate mouse tart - pure hedonistic pleasure.
Whether you, deserve a treat, or wish for pure escapism, relax and be spoilt by the team at The Greyhound. Set in unspoilt and peaceful countryside, you are assured an excellent fine-dining experience, with beautifully presented and delicious food served with style and flair. I for one could not imagine a more marvellous country retreat.
