Travel #6 - A Weekend in Marlow 🏴
3 Michelin stars, lots of rain and a bit of shopping
Firstly, thank you to everyone on this growing list for sticking around, especially those who have shared this newsletter with your friends. It means a lot to us as we continue to grow Hungry Soles! (Remember to check our referral offer at the bottom of this email).
This past weekend, we escaped to the picturesque town of Marlow for a quintessential English winter getaway—complete with cosy fires, a bit of lot of rain and Sunday roasts.
Full Marlow guides and restaurant reviews will be on the website shortly
Sindhu by Atul Kochhar
Our weekend began at Sindhu, the elegant riverside restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar. The setting of the restaurant is absolutely stunning, it’s based in the The Compleat Angler, Marlow with beautiful views of the the river and Marlow Bridge.
The menu looked promising, an exciting fusion of traditional Indian dishes with other Asian twists. Although the tasting menu was decently priced and tempting, we opted for the à la carte selection to save some money.
The food was undoubtedly flavourful, but we couldn't help feeling that the overall experience didn't quite justify the expense. With drinks and extras, the bill added up quickly, making it far too pricy for just a good Indian meal. You’ll have a better foodie experience at Needoo Grill in London and pay 10 times less (granted, the views won’t be the same).
Tandoori Monkfish
Soft Shell Crab (very underwhelming)
Lamb Chettinadu
Pan seared Halibut
Rice
Naan
If we were to return, we'd consider trying the set menu but I don’t think it’s going to happen anytime soon. Sounds harsh, but when you pay over £70 per head for an Indian meal it has to be outstanding!
Retail Therapy at Bicester Village
We had planned to go hiking and get active in the countryside, but the constant rain spoiled that plan, so on Saturday morning, we headed into Bicester Village instead. We have a love/hate relationship with Bicester Village; sometimes you can find genuinely great deals and other times you can leave empty-handed but it’s always worth a trip if you’re nearby.
Remember if you have an Amex Platinum Card (highly recommended if you travel a lot) you get free VIP parking, a 10% discount code and hands-free shopping.
Coffee spots
We’ll dive into these more in our full Marlow guide but our favourite coffee spots were:
Coopers Coffee
Fego
The Mixing Jug
The Hand and Flowers by Tom Kerridge **
The highlight of the trip was dinner at The Hand and Flowers, the renowned two-Michelin-starred pub by Tom Kerridge. (This was actually the whole reason we planned this trip: we were given a voucher from our friends to dine here as a wedding gift.)
It did not disappoint!
The vibe inside is warm, inviting, and utterly unpretentious. The staff were incredible, striking the perfect balance between professionalism and genuine hospitality.
Knowing that I don’t eat pork, the team had printed a custom pork-free menu for me—a thoughtful touch that didn't go unnoticed. It’s a 3-course set menu so no sharing plates (much to Alice’s delight) and proper portions (we left absolutely stuffed).
The food was amazing, comfort pub food but elevated. Did it really ooze 2 Michelin stars? Debatable, but it was certainly a memorable meal that will stick with us for a long time.
Sausage Roll | Fried Pickled cucumber
Sourdough with cultured butter
Duck Liver Parfait with Orange Chutney and Toasted Brioche (outstanding)
Tart of Cured Beef, Mushroom & Oyster with Marmite Rarebit, Dried Seaweed and Tabasco Salt.
John Dory with Squid Lasagne, Crispy Scale Turnip, Bottarga, Green Garlic and Roasted Bone Butter Sauce.
Coffee Crusted Loin of Venison with Long Pepper Muffin, Caramel Poached Pear, Blue Cheese Walnuts, Celery &. Lovage Purée and Sour Blacberry Sauce.
Buttered Hispi Cabbage and Mash Potato (buttery smooth)
Banana Soufflé with Vanilla Custard Ice Cream and Chocolate & Plantation Original Dark Rum Sauce.
Toasted Madagascan Vanilla “Rice Pudding Beignet"
After dinner, we sat at the bar by the fire and soaked in the lovely atmosphere before heading home.
The Hind's Head by Heston Blumenthal *
On Sunday, we stopped off at The Hind's Head, Heston Blumenthal's historic pub located just next to the famed Fat Duck. The setting was steeped in character, blending 15th-century charm with modern elegance (again, our plan to walk around Bray was curbed by the heavy rain).
The menu was all about the Sunday Roast with a Festive Turkey version on offer too. My main (Fish Pie) had a taste of Heston’s scientific flare with the ‘sea foam’ and ‘sand’ topping.
Venison Chipolatas, Prune Ketchup
Scotch Egg (Heston’s famous snack)
Roast Sirloin of Dry Aged Aberdeen Angus (comes with the incredible roasties)
Fish Pie with "Sand & Sea"
Triple Cooked Chips
Sticky Date & Walnut Pudding
The Roast Sirloin came with what we decided were the best roasties we have ever had in our entire lives! It was like someone had pipped buttery, smooth mashed potatoes into a delicate, crispy batter!
Is fine dining worth it? What do you think?
While we thoroughly enjoyed our weekend indulging in fine dining and experiencing the prestige of Michelin-starred restaurants, it made us think about the true essence of a memorable meal. Fine dining has its undeniable allure—the artistry, the impeccable service, the curated ambience. We love it for those reasons. However, the question lingers: Are these experiences worth the often hefty price tags?
When we reflect on our top dining experiences of all time, none of them took place in Michelin-starred establishments. Instead, they were found in street markets, cosy cafés, and small, unassuming spots that served up fantastic food brimming with authenticity and passion. That's where our foodie hearts truly lie. Let us know what you think!
There's an unparalleled joy in discovering a hidden gem, a humble eatery where the flavours are bold, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the focus is purely on the food. At Hungry Soles we will continue to bring you more of that.
But there’s always a time and a place for a fancy meal along the way ;)
x
