OrwellsBest venison ever.Amazing food last night con mi madre. Had the venison, she had the hake, both superb and come highly recommended from both us. If you haven't tried this place yet, get on with it, time waits for no man. Excellent service too!16/05/2013 00:00:00As always the team at OrwellsAs always the team at Orwells were on their game last Sunday! Three years later (congrats) and they definitely know what they are doing! Haven't been for Sunday lunch since the early days but we were all (4) impressed. Lots of the favourites from the A La Carte menu were available which is great if you don't fancy the standard sun roast option! Usual good selection of wines plus a new Rosé to try. Love this Restaurant; it continues to impress but even better it is consistently good when others in the area can be very variable.05/05/2013 00:00:00Why go anywhere else?In Henley-on Thames we are surrounded by restaurants..... Many of them good..... BUT 2 miles out of Henley in Shiplake is Orwells.... The food is out of this world and always innovative, the staff exceptional and the parking is free and right outside - we have NEVER had a bad meal there.... We have decided that there is no reason to go anywhere else. Thank you Orwells a fantastic dining experience yet again.... See you soon!04/05/2013 00:00:00First Time at Orwell's......and it won't be the last!
We found Orwell's through the web. We had been to the Goose (at Britwell) several years ago and been treated to an outstanding evening. We often wondered what had happened to the chef there so I tried to track him down. It turned out that finding him at Orwell's was not difficult. Booked lunch for my wife and myself, it was a special birthday, and enjoyed a wonderfully relaxed experience. Cannot fault the quality, presentation, service, portions etc. from the imaginative a la carte menu. Yes it is fine dining but without the stuffiness and pretentiousness you sometimes get along with it. Will definitely be recommending it and we will be back!03/05/2013 00:00:00Great lunch/dinner in any weatherOur 2nd visit. 1st was in winter: really cosy with the open fire warming us. This time was the hottest day of the year so far & the feel was very different: a great fresh feel with doors open to the warm gardens & countryside. We started with drinks in the garden before moving into the conservatory where we were able to continue enjoying the blue sky on one side & a window into the kitchen on the other.
We had a great relaxing afternoon enjoying the tasting menu which was further enhanced by the wine flight matching a different wine with each course.
The service was great: relaxed & friendly but very efficient.
So all in all: great food & drink, with great service in a great venue that makes the most of any of our varied English weather!25/04/2013 00:00:00Excellent foodFood here is always excellent, comparable to better rated restaurants. Service is attentive without being pretentious. Decor needs a bit of work to be consistent with quality of food.20/04/2013 00:00:00Love it!I love Orwell's. The staff are fantastic, the location is beautiful and the food and wine are fabulous. My only 'niggle' is that the vegetarian options are'nt very creative - too much goat's cheese and risotto/pasta which you can get in any pub outside of London. For such a wonderful place and amazing deserts it would be nice to see a bit of creativity for us veggies :)
But I will definately be going back....20/04/2013 00:00:00A super place to eatWe had an excellent meal from a varied menu and thoroughly enjoyed it19/04/2013 00:00:00Easter 2013friendly, knowledgeable and attentive staff who recognised us from nine months previously. Sommelier knew his wines to a tee and the pace of service was just right. Food was excellent, irrespective of the course, the caramel and apple cake for dessert was exceptional. Detailed wine list of genuine quality to hand.30/03/2013 00:00:00ExcellentHad heard a lot about this place. Went on a recommendation, food was better than expected. Excellent menu, fit for foodies. Not cheap though.30/03/2013 00:00:00Outstanding at all levels.Outstanding at all levels. Worth the drive. The menu is interesting and varied and the cooking of a very high standard.
High recommended.10/03/2013 00:00:00You have got to go here!What a great restaurant with excellent food, surroundings and attentive staff!
Very impressed indeed.24/02/2013 00:00:00kh dine at lunchtimeAlways our first choice in the Henley area and we have a great choice.
Food excellent whether lunchtime specials which are amazing value or from the main menus.
Wine by the glass [car-driver] also good value15/02/2013 00:00:00KristoffLovely Valentine dinner with specially prepared menu and very attentive service14/02/2013 00:00:00Just really good food. ShouldJust really good food. Should be awarded a michelin star14/02/2013 00:00:00Save room for dessertWonderful birthday celebration meal, service and food could not be faulted, we go fairly regularly and it's always consistent. Desserts to die for and we don't normally reach that stage. Do make the effort, coconut panna cotta and chocolate sorbet devine! Only downside was lack of atmosphere, only two other tables were filled but it was a Tuesday night.05/02/2013 00:00:00Sunday Lunch at OrwellsEach time I visit Orwells I come away thinking wow! The quality and care of food preparation and presentation is quite outstanding. The dishes are innovative and unlike a number of celebrity restaurants they work well. This restaurant demands further recognition although am rather nervous that this may result in over demand and thereby difficulty in getting a booking. Well done Orwells....!03/02/2013 00:00:00excellentExcellent as always. Food fantastic and service is just spot on.17/01/2013 16:00:00Had a really good meal andHad a really good meal and considering the quality it was very fairly priced. We had booked for a special ocassion and would definately go again.28/12/2012 16:00:00How good dining/service should be!1 booked a table for 4 for a work lunch and this place does not disappoint. The staff are courteous, very well trained, the menu is great and they were very accommodating of me as a vegetarian when i wanted to create my own dish taking bits from other dishes on their menu.
All of us were very impressed with the presentation, and the quality of the food and the wine menu also did not disappoint. The pastry chef has an inspired palette and there is a wide variety of paired desert wines recommended also.You MUST try their South African Port - it was to die for!
Only small point is that I would have liked to have seen tablecloths on the tables, as everything else was up to the fine dining standard - this place deserves serious recognition!18/12/2012 16:00:00