Being the only pub in the Michelin guide to be awarded 2 stars and with Tom Kerridge as Head Chef it’s fair to say that getting a table at The Hand and Flowers isn’t easy. But if you can bag a slot at one of the most sought after tables in the country (our tip is to try for a midweek lunch) then you won’t be disappointed. Located in the village of Marlow, an hour by train from Paddington, The Hand and Flowers looks like just like any other country pub from the outside, and inside the low ceilings and cosy tables make for one of the most welcoming Michelin-starred dining rooms imaginable. Where The Hand and Flowers leaves all other pubs behind however is with the incredible food and service which was AMAZING from start to finish.
We started with some pimped up pub snacks, whitebait and homemade pork scratchings, and a glass of French sparkling wine made from apples which was a new one on us and an absolute winner. Next came the difficult choice of what to order… for starters we went for crispy pig’s head with rhubarb, pancetta and chickweed which was probably our favourite dish of the day and a beautifully rich glazed omelette with smoked haddock and Parmesan. Mains were the herb crusted stone bass with crab pancake, brown crab taramasalata, green apple and garden garnish, plus a side of the best triple-cooked chips we’ve had, and melt-in-the mouth tenderloin of Wiltshire pork with malt-glazed pig cheek, garlic sausage and potato dauphine. We just about managed to squeeze in dessert of milk toffee tart with “Old English Spice” and grapefruit sorbet and strawberry and custard slice with strawberry ice cream and pink pepper. All in all this is NEXT LEVEL pub food.
The Hand and Flowers rightly has the reputation of one of the best places to eat in the UK and we’d definitely recommend a trip there – get on that reservation line! AND if you can’t face the trip to Marlow then you might wanna check out Tom’s Table coming to Harrods Food Hall in November 2015. Bookings open on 1 September with a three course menu at £59 or £89 with matching wine pairings. Email TomsTable@Harrods.com for info. ETCH the 1st in your diary now if you wanna get in tho, we have a feeling the bookings will fly!