Our second wedding anniversary and also the day we get to enjoy David’s Christmas present (and joint anniversary present too!). It was a fair old treck down to Marlow but it was nice and relaxing being in the car without worrying about nappy changes, feeding times, sleeping or crying babies so I quite enjoyed the journey and it went quite quickly. 

We got to Marlow about 2.30pm and found the Hand and Flowers very easily. It’s just a short walk past the main town centre which is very small. 

  
We checked in and were shown to the cottages just next door to the pub. There’s two upstairs and two down. The downstairs ones have an outdoor hot tub but we were upstairs in the Limousin suite. The room was small but lovely with lots of lovely touches and comforts. There was a huge copper bath tub that the four of us could have fit in, and a huge double shower. Tea and coffee machine and fresh homemade cookies and lardy cake which was delicious.  

   

   
After seeing the room we walked into town to stretch our legs and explore a little. I also wanted to shop for my brand new baby nephew who had been born only that afternoon. I got the phone call from my brother to say Joshua had arrived just as we got into the room. So happy to hear such lovely news.  

Marlow was lovely with some gorgeous independent shops as well as some high end stores too. Jo Jo Maman Bebe which is a gorgeous childrens shop and also Mint Velvet were some of my favourites. We walked down to the river and onto the Suspension bridge for a nice view of the river and some very nice houses backing onto the Thames. Can’t imagine what they must be worth! After a quick shop we headed to The Coach which is a pub serving food also owned by Tom Kerridge and is non bookable which is nice as you can just drop in for a drink or food. We both had gin cocktails, mine was an apple cocktail made with William Chase gin and tiny slices of Apple. David’s had celery and pink and black peppercorns which was also lovely. 

 

  
Headed back to the room feeling a little lightheaded for a lovely bath and to get ready for the evening. A very short walk later and we were in the pub and shown straight to our seats. On our table was an anniversary card which I thought was a lovely touch. 

 

    
  We were brought some complimentary deep fried whitebait and bread, which I think was a sourdough and lovely salty butter. Mmm. Delicious. 

The menu felt quite pubby which I guess it to be expected as it is a pub. There were lots of traditional pub dishes on like fish and chips, chicken and chips etc but all with a little twist that made it worthy of two Michelin stars.

  
 I ordered the duck liver parfait which was the smoothest creamiest parfait i’ve ever had. The chutney was also delicious and I could have eaten it twice over. Such incredible flavours. 

David ordered the pave and parfait of salmon which again which delicious. So much work had gone into each dish as we were excited about our next courses. 

   
   
I was really torn between wanting to order the steak and chips which I knew would be amazing but also wanting to try something different too. Also the steak on the menu that evening was a chateaubriand for two people and both of us ordering the same dish was just out of the question! So I went for the Tenderloin of pork and David ordered the Duck breast, which was Tom’s winning dish in Great British menu 2010. 

  
Both dishes arrived and were delicious. We also had a side of broccoli with hazelnut mayonnaise and cabbage which was so tasty. The peas which accompanied David’s meal were almost good enough to be a meal in itself. Lovely fresh flavours and really generous portions. Even though we were completely stuffed we were determined to order dessert. 

  
I ordered the pistachio cake and David ordered the apple custard slice. I was a little disappointed with mine. Not that it wasn’t nice but just that I regretted not ordering the soufflé as the couple on the next table ordered it and looked amazing! David’s Apple custard slice was delicious though. So light and tasty. 

 

  

 We finished with a drink through in the bar which was quiet and very relaxed. The service was impeccable as you’d expect for a two star restaurant. 

The trip was made all the more worthwhile the next morning when after a delicious breakfast we walked out of the pub straight into the big man himself! Tom was outside chatting to one of the staff. He was. Erg friendly and was more than happy to have a photo with us. He thanked us for coming and asked if we had enjoyed our meal and stay. He was much taller and slimmer than I expected. Meeting Tom just completed what was a lovely anniversary treat. Only thing now is where shall we go next year! 😀