Regal connections abound at The Stag & Hounds pub and restaurant in Binfield. It was formerly a hunting lodge frequented by Henry VIII, and Queen Elizabeth I is said to have sat at the window watching maypole dancers on the green opposite.
Recently taken over by MLC pubs, this atmospheric establishment has undergone a tasteful makeover that highlights its majestic heritage – flagstone floors, incredible low beams, innumerable nooks and crannies and a sagging roof distorted with age. In contrast, the freshly revamped beer garden transports visitors to different climes, as gurgling fountains, palm trees and an outdoor bar lend a tranquil Mediterranean feel.
Even the fussiest eaters won’t fail to find something to please – there’s pasta, pizza, salads and seafood, as well as Asian, Greek and French cuisine, all offered alongside traditional English dishes. To start, we sampled aromatic char siu ribs that were drenched in a delectable honey, garlic and hoisin sauce. My main course of aged rib-eye steak with mushrooms, baby onions and spinach was also served with a glossy sauce poivrade, which completed a hearty plateful. My partner’s crispy sea bass was perched atop a roasted vegetable roulade with a zingy tomato and basil dressing. To end, a bold blood orange coulis gave a zesty citrus lift to a passion fruit panna cotta that wobbled to perfection. This was truly a feast fit for a king.
