'ROARING' success for White Lion
Danielle Cumber • Published 28 Oct 2010 13:00
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Almost a year since it closed, The White Lion, in Crays Pond, finally reopened under new management four weeks ago. Near the tranquil village of Goring Heath, the pub looks like a little cottage, inside and out, with a large lawn and car parking on site. From the moment you walk up the path to the Georgian green cottage door you get a welcoming sense of an intimate and friendly local hide out.
New owners, Gerry Dowd and Anthony Whitehouse, also own a Michelin-rated restaurant in Bath, The Hole In The Wall. They have help from head chef Kim Parker, who previously worked at The George And Dragon, in Swallowfield, under the guidance of Gerry who is also the executive chef and has worked in a number of top restaurants including The Waterside Inn in Bray, Paris House in Woburn and L’Ortolan, in Shinfield.
The kind and welcoming staff were dressed casually but there was nothing casual about the attentive and helpful service.
They assured us that the food was fresh, seasonal produce from locally sourced suppliers.
The restaurant has low ceilings which make it feel more intimate and is set in a summer room with large glass windows giving diners a view of the beautiful gardens.
To start I selected the home made leek and potato soup with rustic bread (£3.95) which was creamy and you could really taste the ingredients. For the main course I had pan fried fillet of sea bass with spring onion mash, cherry tomatoes and extra fine beans (£10.50). It was good sized portion and full of flavour.
For dessert I had pavlova and marinated strawberries, with vanilla ice cream and fresh fruit coulis (£4.50).
The whole dish was home made from freshly sourced produce.
The restaurant also caters for food allergies and requirements and the chefs will do all they can to ensure there is a suitable alternative to most dishes on the menu.
The White Lion is keen to get families and friends involved in events at the pub and is hosting a fireworks night on Sunday, November 7, with a hog roast, bonfire and fireworks display.
DANIELLE CUMBER
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 28 Oct 10
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