Lunch and Antiques at The Swan, Tetsworth, Oxon

I’ve visited The Swan at Tetworth periodically for the past fifteen years, during my keen on antiques phase which has now passed.  Having said that, I am currently looking for a Regency overmantel and having trawled the internet I decided to take a trip to The Swan for a browse.  The Swan is a historic Grade II listed Elizabethan coaching inn and represents more than 80 dealers, with 40 showrooms of English, French and country furniture as well as smaller decorative antiques.  They are very selective in what they sell so the standard is high and pricey, but they are normally willing to ‘do a deal’ so it is worth asking every time.   The connecting Restaurant shares the same name but is independent and has had a chequered history in recent years.  A few years ago the standard was so high I couldn’t understand why they didn’t have a Michelin star, but on the very day we took some friends to share our culinary goldmine the chef walked out, and we were left apologising and embarrassed at the below average meal a stand-in chef had rustled up.  After that experience, we have given the Restaurant a wide berth until last weekend when for no reason other than feeling hungry we decided to give them another try.  I’m pleased we did because they have just been taken over by French restaurateur Antoine Chrétien and the standard has shot back up, maybe not Michelin star standard yet but certainly good.  The atmosphere is relaxed and airy with some treadle Singer sewing machine tables, and a cosy sofa and armchair corner for cream teas, which I shall be trying out next time!

After lunch we perused the antiques and found a Regency overmantel, but luckily it was too big because it was too expensive, even after bartering.

www.theswan.co.uk

 

Mid-Week Treat at The Hand & Flowers

I can’t think of anything nicer than meeting old friends (time, not age) for a mid-week lunch at The Hand & Flowers in Marlow.  The last time I was there was when Tom and Beth Kerridge had just taken over the Hand & Flowers in 2005, pre-2Michelin stars and when it was easy to get a table – not so now, as with many premier restaurants reservations are made months in advance and there is a time slot, ours was 12.30p.m. – 2.30p.m.  The pub has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, the scrubbed tables are close together with the waiting staff lined up on one side, and as you would expect the service was efficient.  The menu choice was good: 10 starters and 8 mains and my choice of main was the signature dish of Slow Cooked Duck Breast with Peas, Duck Fat Chips and Gravy.  We chose 4 different desserts to share and a special mention here for the Hand & Flowers Chocolate and Ale Cake with Salted Caramel and Muscovado Ice Cream which was deeeelicious!  The Wikipedia critics’ comments are worth reading!  If you’re thinking of trying or revisiting The Hand & Flowers, they are undergoing an extensive extension project which did not impact on our visit, but it might be worth waiting until the building work is finished.

www.thehandandflowers.co.uk

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hand_%26_Flowers