The Barley Mow in Englefield Green is a lovely pub which is well situated overlooking the green, with tables outside at the front and on a terrace at the back. The restaurant itself has plenty of space for dining, with a front bar and a back restaurant. It is owned by Heartwood Inns, which owns Brasserie Blanc restaurants as well as a number of pubs in the area and has recently purchased the former Manor Inn in Godalming, which is set to open next year. On the strength of this meal, I cannot wait!
We were invited to try their monthly Lunch Club menu, which offers two courses at £18.95 and three courses at £23.50 from a choice of three starters, four mains and three desserts, which change every month.
We went in June and chose a Courgette and garlic soup with crème fraiche, which was subtly flavoured, comforting with just the right creaminess, and a Cod brandade and lemon croquette with spiced lentils, which was an unusual but terrific combination, and very generous. A good start.
For her main, my mum chose Steak frites with salad and garlic & herb butter. A perfectly cooked minute steak, crunchy chips and a well-dressed salad, which for my French mother is a pre-requisite. She was very content. I plumped for the Olive & tomato stuffed chicken ballotine, with a roasted tomato sauce, braised broad beans & peas on a smooth mash. This was also very good, the flavours all working well together with a wonderfully buttery mash and once again, a very generous helping.
Having eaten so well, we only managed one dessert with two spoons, and picked the Mango and nougat parfait with passion fruit & mango coulis. This was lovely, not overly large but a lovely marriage of flavours and textures and very moreish. We each had a glass of rosé and I had a glass of red from a reasonably well-priced list.
The manager was new to the group and to the pub and was charming and helpful. The service was good and we much enjoyed our well-priced and delicious lunch. The July Lunch Club menu, which has just launched, will see guests enjoying a complimentary glass of Mirabeau Rosé Spritz alongside their lunches throughout July and August. If you want a perfect lunch venue following a walk in Windsor Great Park or just somewhere different, give it a try. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
www.heartwoodinns.com
A Windsor Great Park Walk here
