The Crown at Bray has just won ‘Best Pub in Berkshire 2016’.
Taken over by Heston Blumenthal in 2010 this pub is very traditional, ‘olde worlde’ and serves stunning food and drinks.
One
Find a seat (maybe by the window) avoiding the low beams and order a drink. The wine menu is impressive as is the range of local ale which I went for. There are also a few half bottles available which is nice to see. The Crown at Bray holds events and festivals throughout the year and competitions for you to enter such as this years ‘homebrewers competition‘ – a chance for you to show off maybe.
Two
Order prawn cocktail with rye bread for starters or the Ham Hock and Confit Chicken Terrine with Piccalilli. There are other starter options too such as crispy broccoli and cauliflower or the mackerel on sourdough toast. The prawn cocktail was huge and deliciously old school. Most diners would instinctively want to take a photograph of this.
Prawn Cocktail with Rye Bread
Ham Hock and Confit Chicken Terrine with Piccalilli
Three
Choose a main course from the menu (pub food with a twist). There is an extensive choice with elaborate touches such as marrowbone sauce, braised red cabbage and blackberry sauce. We went for the roast fillet stone bass and the Char-grilled Irish Black Angus Bavette Steak. Both were excellent, well presented and full of flavor.
Roast Fillet Stone Bass, Spinach, Tomato, Shallot & Rocket
Char-grilled Irish Black Angus Bavette Steak & Marrowbone Sauce, Fries
Four
A main course is not quite the same without a side dish. There are superb sides to choose from the simple such as a beautiful green side salad to the more sophisticated green beans with mustard cream. We went for both of these.
Green Salad
Green beans and mustard sauce
Five
If the weather is good then you can spill out into the garden for more drinks and food. If you really want to get local then you can play a few traditional games such as Aunt Sally – I had no idea what this is either! The garden is spacious and very English. If you have children then this garden would be perfect. What could be better than eating Guinness Ice Cream with a Chocolate Brownie whilst spending quality time with your children in the Garden.
