:burp:

Belated family dinner for mum's birthday at the Leathern Bottel in Goring. Most amused at the awards listed on the menu - one of them being Harpers and Queen's 'most stylish'. Seriously, what restaurant puts that on their menu? I can understand the Condé Nast one for food, but 'most stylish'? Suspect it was there to amuse the punters. Like the fact that the head chef is listed as Chef Boss. Added points as the reception/bar's bookshelves are stuffed with very well worn cookbooks. (Mrs Beeton, French pastries, Jamie Oliver, Chinese encyclopedia of cookery, River Cafe for a selection)

Anyway. As usual, ridiculously stylish in an understated way and lovely food, and no gimmicks, even in the canapes, which were vegetable crisps, little breaded cheese things and olives. Yay for no foams. Starters of the win for being not too bulky and more in the mode of 'look, it's good food, so we'll do a bit of presentation but we cannot be arsed with using the squeezy bottle' Main course, had venison for the first time. You all lied. It was lovely, melt in mouth, cooked bleu (I don't believe in exposing dead hoofed mammals to the corrupting influence of flame), but not very strong tasting at all. Add dessert on top of that and... huh. Wasn't stuffed. Nicely sated, but not more than that, which is a rarity for three-course + canapes.