The Crown

A RURAL DELIGHT

As I have mentioned before, the town of Maidenhead is hardly perfect in several ways, but at least offers the river, fast connections into London, proximity to Heathrow and is not suburbia – you can be in the country in a jiffy and visit a wealth of pleasant country establishments by driving or even for a reasonable taxi fare.

One such preferred venue is The Crown, situated in the respectable village of Burchetts Green, between Maidenhead and Henley. I have personally known this place since the days when it was a plain simple and friendly country pub. In the meantime, it climbed onto the ladder of gastro-pubism (I suppose one should really say “gastro-pubness”) with varying proprietors and varying degrees of success.

I think it is fair to say that it is presently riding on a high and long may that remain. Jacky, the Swiss proprietor is much travelled and has I think amassed a useful wealth of information about the catering business (an environment in which the Swiss are known to excel). Her partner Rhodri is a retired naval officer and is obviously also much-travelled. He also provides the added bonus of being a very long-term resident of the village and is well-known and popular in the area.

One of the key aspects of The Crown is their justified claim to providing fine fresh food, which is locally-sourced, growing their own vegetables and spices, as well as doing things like their own baking.

There is a small bar by the entrance leading to a main dining room

with a cosy “snug” running along it.

Having entertained an overseas guest who is a keen trencherman there, we were suitably impressed and returned.

On this latest occasion, we both savoured a wonderful starter of chicken liver pâté  which apart from being extremely generous (on slabs of home-made melba toast) was beautifully delicate (being very fond of pâté, I prefer having something that I can tuck into, rather than just a delicate sliver).

La contessa opted for the seared salmon and expressed her thorough approval. I went for rump of lamb with broad beans and garden peas which had all the right attributes of lamb like little fat and gristle  and a powerful sauce to complement the distinct taste. Wonderful.  Having decided that we were really well-sated by then (as we had been after the starters) we ventured onto the thin ice of further gluttony. Cheeseboard for me (featuring some interesting choices such as Pont-l'évêque and Hampton Blue, while the lady went for a rhubarb crumble which was apparently delish.  Add to that two glasses of very acceptable house red (Cabsauv) and a very decent bottle of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo,

we still ended up “south of a ton” if you will excuse my unforgivably proletarian phrasing. Special events such as wine tasting evenings , the “Sunday Club” etc. round off interest in The Crown and you can book online via “toptable”, (http://www.toptable.co.uk/the-crown-burchetts-green-reservations-maidenhead?rid=82414&restref=82414) inviting further guests should you wish.

Splendid place.