Berkshire

From the moment I made the booking for a mid week lunch date for four family members belatedly celebrating a significant birthday, I thought we were onto a winner. The warmth extended to the dog , had forgotten to mention her, but there was a drink for her too&#8230;tho perhaps not as interesting as the Pimms and real ale consumed by the rest of us. The ambience in the patio amid the flowers was first class , as was the food. Generous portions at reasonable prices, only one cheese biscuit and the rind of the Stilton remained for the dog as we greedily wolfed the rest up. Thank you for not throwing us out as I think we were slow to wind up our celebration. Highly recommended after a walk round Cliveden to work up an appetite

Oak &amp; Saw our favourite pub! Food excellent, staff so obliging and a lovely warm and cosy atmosphere in the pub at all times. Beautiful garden for al fresco eating. We have dined there many times and have now returned after &#8216;lockdown&#8217;! So great to be back to enjoy their culinary delights!!!!!

You should say well done to the chefs as only two of them, especially on weekends when they sit 60 people plus

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-11525 size-full" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2017/10/Oak-ans-Saw-Exterior-e1509131597327.jpg" alt="Red brick Victorian pub with stylish green-grey shutters and the Oak &amp; Saw in Taplow's award winning hanging baskets" width="1000" height="659" />
THE LOCATION
The Oak &amp; Saw is a red brick 19th century inn in the pretty village of Taplow, close to Maidenhead, on the Berkshire-Buckinghashire border. The pub dates back to 1870 and got its name from when the old war ships were decommissioned. They would sail up the Thames to Taplow,  taken apart and the wood from each ship was recycled and used to build the village. Eco credentials before it was trendy. The Oak &amp; Saw faces onto the village green and is opposite the historic St Nicolas&#8217; Church – handy for pre-wedding or post Sunday service drinkies. And great for a bit of celeb stalking – Ant McPartlin married his wife Lisa in the church before shipping up to Cliveden House for the reception.
<div id="attachment_11530" style="width: 1010px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-11530" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-11530 size-full" src="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2017/10/Oak-and-Saw-main-dining-e1509133763869.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="574" />Yoohoo, Ian and Karen</div>
THE VIBE
This is the first time I’ve been to this inn – (on this occasion, for lunch) – it was midweek and I was surprised to see it was busy and buzzy, with a mix of locals, working lunchers and general shirkers *cough no judgement. It feels cosy and unpretentious like the very best locals.  It&#8217;s had a recent refurb adding a stylish mix of dark blue and grey walls to create a warm, earthy vibe without losing the traditional feel.
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The front of the pub is the main eating area with a couple of nice tables nestled into the bay windows giving you a great view onto the village green. To the rear you&#8217;ll find some high tables for causal drinkers and relaxed diners. Plus outside there’s an attractive courtyard and garden that looks phenomenal during the summer months. Owner Ian and his Partner Karen go to town on the summer blooms – and have won Pub In Bloom multiple times.
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SCOFF AND QUAFF
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The food was excellent. Having been ditched by my lunch date (illness as opposed to a better offer, just in case you were wondering), I flew solo to the Oak &amp; Saw. Ian and Karen welcomed me with opened arms – I definitely didn&#8217;t feel like a solo dining loser. The menu&#8217;s full of great seasonal pub food delivered with flair and good value. I started with salmon and prawn fishcakes with sweet chilli mayo (£6.25), followed by indulgent lamb cutlets with pea puree and sweet potato fondant (£15.95)  – both were a triumph (and very good value). Dessert? Oh go one then, I opted for a strawberry and cream tart priced – pretty, light, delicious and very reasonable at £5.95.
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The new menu has just been launched so you can sink your gnashers into  winter warmers like venison chilli, wild boar sausages and a comforting pie. The steak nights and Sunday lunches are legendary, so make sure you book, it is always a sell out. It&#8217;s worth mentioning, the kids menu is blissfully fuss free – the ultimate happy meal (while you enjoy another glass of vino).
As you would expect from an award-winning pub, there&#8217;s a good selection of craft beers and a decent selection of quality gins with a choice of my fave Fever Tree tonics. The wine list is blissfully short (the War And Peace lists can fry my brain. Too much choice… argh), and the New Zealand Sauv Blanc went down a treat.
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OUT &amp; ABOUT
Well, you’re 3 miles from Cliveden, – work up an appetite with a stroll in the grounds. The Bernet Verner sculptures are well worth a look. Or book in for a spa day at the newly refurbished Cliveden Spa – and retox on your way home.
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THE MUDDY VERDICT:
<div class="_VKi">Good for: Sunday lunchers on a day out, relaxed groups (kids would be fine in here, the garden out the back is perfectly safe), anyone searching out a local pub in an idyllic location with atmosphere.</div>
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<div class="_VKi">Not for: Those looking for a fine dining, formality or quirkiness. This is an honest, traditional pub using quality ingredients to provide superb food for all the family.</div>
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<div class="_VKi">££: Mid range. The ‘pub favourites’ are between £11.95 – £12.95 and sandwiches from £7.95, From the main menu, starters are £5-£13 (sharing platter); mains £10.95-20.95, with a 28-day dry aged fillet coming in at £24.95 and all puds are £5.95. I’d say it’s fairly priced.</div>
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<a href="http://www.oakandsaw.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Oak &amp; Saw</a>, Rectory Rd, Taplow, Maidenhead SL6 0ET. Tel: 01628 604074
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The Oak & Saw in Taplow

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