Macdonald Compleat Angler
Marlow Bridge,
Bisham,
Marlow SL7 1RG
0344 879 9128
www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/compleat-angler
RIVERSIDE dining with the triple wow factor – that’s what you can expect if you head down the road for a meal at The Compleat Angler. It’s in neighbouring Marlow, a short drive down the A4 – and incredibly easy to get to.
The hotel itself, nestling on the banks of the River Thames, next to the weir and opposite the picturesque All Saints Church, is a location that will make your guests go wow.
The food? Well, that will make them go wow again.
Dine in the Riverside menu and there’s that third wow. It’s as if you’re dining on water, and as the sun goes down and the lights come up, it becomes one of the most romantic places you could ever be.
If the weather holds and summertime sticks around, instead of dining in, there is the new On The Lawn bar, which offers an alfresco experience, with food and drinks served daily from market stalls similar to those found in Europe. Again, it’s got some pretty amazing views.
Visiting this gorgeous hotel is a memorable occasion in itself, but chef Shaun Singh’s summer menu will linger long in the memory and all for the right reasons. It’s not for nothing that he earned a Michelin star.
He’s been at the Compleat Angler for nearly two years, after spells in some prestigious places including The Bingham in London. Now he’s in Marlow, much to our benefit, creating new takes on British classics.
Where he can, he keeps his food miles as low as possible – herbs come from the hotel’s own gardens, so when Shaun says it’s fresh, he means it.
“The majority of our ingredients and produce are proudly locally sourced; from our herbs which we grow ourselves, to our vegetables, meat and fish, which all come from sustainable, trusted suppliers to ensure freshness and quality with every bite,” he says.
His summer menu features a broad range so there is something for everyone.
“The Riverside Restaurant sits in one of most incredible locations in town, and our menu has been designed to complement our surroundings, and bring them straight to your plate,” he promises.
“Boasting a mixture of premium dishes and timeless classics, all made using a variety of locally sourced produce and working with the elements, it is a creative and diverse menu.”
And having had a taste, he’s not wrong.
The Lobster and Crayfish Cocktail and Flying Fish Caviar, served with pickled lemon and melba toast, are perfect entrees for those who enjoy the fruits of the sea.
Vegetarians can be treated to the Whipped Truffle Goat Cheese – a light, and not too heavy cheese that is accompanied by heirloom beetroot, pickled onion, pea shots, balsamic, parsley oil and pine nuts. It looks great and tastes fantastic.
The Rack of Lamb is light and tender, served on the bone and the knife cuts through the meat easily. The delicious dish comes with a creamy olive oil mashed potato and, much to the delight of mums everywhere, seasonal greens. You won’t mind eating them all up – they’re delicious.
Fish isn’t the first meat you tend to think of for a curry, but Shaun has created a Spiced Monkfish and Raw Mango Curry, accompanied with French beans poriyal and steamed rice. It has the right amount of heat, without being unpleasant.
Desserts include a Buttermilk Panna Cotta, served with an oat crunch, passion fruit syrup, and a citrus fruit salad – a delicious treat that will be too nice to share.
There is also an Opera Gateaux with caramel sauce and strawberry ice cream that will be perfect for these glorious high summer evenings.
The hotel has a well-stocked wine cellar, and experts are on hand to guide your choices. In keeping with Shaun’s desire to limit food miles, there are some British wines on the list including the Ridgeview Bloomsbury Sussex Brut and the Balfour Liberty Bacchus from Kent.
If that’s not your thing, then there is a new cocktail menu that uses English wine and gin.
And being a hotel, there is no need to organise a designated driver. After all, if you’re enjoying a decadent, luxurious, memorable and triple wow night out, so why should it end when the meal does?
For more details, or to make a reservation, log on to: https://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/compleat-angler/food-and-drink/riverside-restaurant
