Dining al fresco at the White Oak I love dining al fresco in the summer months, whether it’s a barbecue in the garden, a pub lunch or a more sophisticated affair at a restaurant. The White Oak in Cookham comes somewhere in between the latter two. It’s more than a pub (although you can just pop in for a drink or a bar snack) and the décor is stylish and elegant, but not so formal that you couldn’t take the kids, enjoy a good value girly lunch or even a set dinner (from just £15 for two courses) with a BYO wine evening on Mondays. I met a pal there the other day for lunch al fresco. We were determined to dine outside on the lovely terrace even though there were threatening black clouds overhead. Of course 20 minutes later the clouds had gone and we were sipping a very good house white and nibbling our starters: mini chargrilled chorizo for me and a caramelised onion and goat’s cheese tatin for her.
My juicy chorizo was the winner here (it’s also available as a bar snack). Other starters on the set £12 for two course lunch included their deliciously rustic corn fed chicken and ham hock terrine. Mains included a pan fried steak (bavette) and a chacuterie board for two to share. We both went for the pea risotto with parmesan and pea shoots. Deliciously creamy, this was comfort food at its best. A wickedly good crème brulée rounded off a splendid lunch. The White Oak is sister restaurant to The Greene Oak at Oakley Green and the new Three Oaks at Gerrards Cross. Set lunch Monday to Friday (two courses £15 three courses £19). Set dinner menu Monday to Thursday two courses £15 three courses £19. Bring your own wine Monday evenings and pay just £5 corkage. Telephone: 01628
523043.
www.thewhiteoak.co.uk The White Oak, The Pound, Cookham.
Serena Edwards
10
ALONG THE THAMES
chargrilled chorizo
crème brulée