Berkshire

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-11.jpg" alt="The White Oak pub Cookham" class="wp-image-67027" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-11.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-11-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-11-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-11-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



After a finger-licking rebrand, <a href="https://thewhiteoak.pub/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The White Oak</a> came under the well oiled wings of Brucan Pubs in May this year, joining its Berkshire sister pubs <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/review-brunch-the-greyhound-finchampstead-berkshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Greyhound Finchampstead</a> and <a href="https://berkshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/greene-oak-windsor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Greene Oak</a> in Windsor as the latest quality gastro to ring in the punters. And we&#8217;re totally here for it. Located in the leafy village of Cookham, it&#8217;s a countryside location with a beating local heart, and ample parking.



Stripped back and with a simple mission – The White Oak is taking hospitality back to its roots with good food, warm hospitality, and a lip-smacking menu prepared with the very best produce from outstanding local suppliers. The meat and fish is market-fresh and there’s a strong no waste ethos. With meat, a nose to tail policy is in place meaning it&#8217;s butchered, prepared, and aged on site. Fish and seafood come directly from the South Coast, and eggs are sourced from Wokingham’s Stokes Farm. Talk about eating local.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/white-oak-2.jpg" alt="The White Oak pub Cookham" class="wp-image-65633" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/white-oak-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/white-oak-2-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/white-oak-2-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/white-oak-2-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The menu? Well, it’s not your average pub grub. Think wild nettle and spring onion risotto or seared Scottish sea trout. There’s a great kids offering and a stonking set price lunch menu. Two courses for £27 or three for £32? It&#8217;s practically criminal. Trust us when we say the Sunday roasts are epic (just read on), and Saturday brunch is pretty cool too. For drinks, grab cask ales, beer, wine, and cider on tap, or there&#8217;s a tempting list of cocktails to lull you into an alcoholic reverie.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-.jpg" alt="The White Oak pub Cookham" class="wp-image-67026" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak--800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak--400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak--768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



It&#8217;s recently had a sexy new refurb, and it shows. White washed wood cladding on the walls, leather upholstered banquette seating, and cool statement lighting. The space is super light and airy, and tables well spaced so you don&#8217;t feel like you&#8217;re dining off your neighbour&#8217;s lap. I love the earthy, muted tones of the place. It feels classy and gives that real cool gastropub feel.



Stepping in from the carpark, you&#8217;re greeted by a trendy bar area &#8211; perfect if you&#8217;re just nipping in for a tipple and a nibble. It&#8217;s somewhere I imagine the Cookham locals regularly flock to, especially in the winter months where it will undoubtedly make for a cosy little nook to drink away the grizzle. The restaurant area sweeps around, and has a nice flow to it. There&#8217;s also a private dining room for up to 8 guests.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="999" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/white-oak.png" alt="The White Oak pub Cookham" class="wp-image-68208" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/white-oak.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/white-oak-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/white-oak-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/white-oak-768x767.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/white-oak-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Shuffle your way outside and root out the gorgeous pub garden complete with six cool pods that are a little like wooden wagons. Squeeze in with your pals and enjoy a Pimms in the sun. Bliss. During our visit, a number of people opted to go al fresco with their Sunday roasts so it&#8217;s clearly a popular option.



As for the crowd, it was totally mixed. All ages of friends, families, and couples gathered for their foodie fix. Small children happily piled into their plates as well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-and-quaff">SCOFF AND QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-15.jpg" alt="The White Oak pub Cookham" class="wp-image-67031" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-15.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-15-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-15-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-15-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Tuck in, this was a Sunday roast whopper. From the moment we sat down, the deputy general manager Struan, went completely and utterly out of his way to give us the all-star treatment. He was incredibly hands-on, warm, bubbly, and funny, and it&#8217;s staff like this that give your dining experience just that little sprinkling of magic.



He was certainly a man who knew his stuff. Whipping out the wine list, Struan expertly talked us through his top three recommendations for white, red, and rosé that would each accompany the three meat roast options (beef, pork, or chicken) best. Both me and my fellow food guru went for a glass of the red L&#8217;Enfant Terrible. Definitely not as terrible as it sounds. The wine was velvet smooth, and the size seriously generous, so much so, it kept us fuelled up for the rest of the meal.



As we perused the menu, we were brought out some beef shin pasties with mustard mayo and a sourdough basket with salted butter which went down a treat. The pasties were buttery, flaky, and sent our raging appetites into a frenzy.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-13.jpg" alt="The White Oak pub Cookham" class="wp-image-67029" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-13.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-13-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-13-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-13-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Now, I would never ordinarily scoff a starter when a roastie is on the cards, but of course, as is my journalistic duty, I took one for the team. Or so I tell myself. I went for the ham hock, chicken, and parsley terrine which was delicious. A certified British classic that can sometimes fall a bit flat. Not the case here. The flavour was rich, and accompanied with the Waldorf slaw, lip-smackingly creamy. 



My friend got the cod cheeks, butterbeans, and sauce vierge. Beautifully presented and a very generous portion size. She fed back that the flavour was slightly spicy, but the tang was offset nicely with the buttery sauce. She really enjoyed the crispy texture of the cod.



It&#8217;s worth noting that with each dish, Struan took care to explain the ingredients, food sourcing, and cooking which again, demonstrated the lengths made to go beyond the call of duty, and helped to set the experience apart from other pubs of its calibre. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-18-1.jpg" alt="The White Oak pub Cookham roast" class="wp-image-67034" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-18-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-18-1-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-18-1-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-18-1-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-18-1-768x1024.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Maaaajor food porn incoming! The roast was up next and my god was it a beast. When I say it came with all the trimmings, I mean, ALL the trimmings. Individual pots of cauliflower cheese, crispy roast potatoes, seasoned veg, pigs in blankets, a huge Yorkshire pudding, and two fat slices of roast sirloin of native breed beef. Come to mama. 



Pssst, if that isn&#8217;t enough food for you &#8211; just tell the servers and they will bring you extra tatties, veg, and cauliflower cheese free of charge.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-17.jpg" alt="The White Oak pub Cookham sunday roast" class="wp-image-67033" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-17.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-17-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-17-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-17-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Now, I am a bit of a self-confessed roast snob. Too many times have I been let down by a pub roast to the point that ordering one, honestly, makes me a bit nervous. To my great joy (and relief) though, this one? Banging. The roast potatoes were actually crispy. Like, really crispy, yet, soft and fluffy in the middle. I also loved the touch of two mini pots of extra gravy being brought out from the get-go. It saved the inevitable request of asking for more, as is often the case.



The beef itself was packed with flavour and I was obsessed that I got a pig in a blanket with it. Such a treat! I loved the deconstructed nature of the roast &#8211; something all the big gun gastros in London seem to hopping on right now. No plain veg here either. They were beautifully seasoned, and each element on the plate was bliss.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-19.jpg" alt="The White Oak pub Cookham" class="wp-image-67035" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-19.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-19-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-19-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-19-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



I&#8217;m sorry to say but we were too stuffed to even think about having a pudding after all that food. NOT. After a lengthy break, not one, not two, and no, not three, but FOUR puddings rolled our way. I think even my chair groaned a little when they were plopped down on the table. Remember, it&#8217;s all for journalism!



Struan decided we should try a selection of the puds. Rude to say no, so we had the treacle tart with crème fraîche, dark chocolate mousse and salted caramel, sticky toffee pudding, clotted cream, and butterscotch, and a strawberry, eton mess type tart. I can confirm, the desserts are worth saving space for. Deeeelish. I think the eton mess and chocolate mousse would just nip it as my favourites. However, after demolishing the majority of the sticky toffee pud, it was clear what my pals&#8217; was.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-20.jpg" alt="The White Oak pub Cookham" class="wp-image-67036" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-20.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-20-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-20-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/white-oak-20-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



By the end, I was fit to internally combust. It was a meal of epic proportions, and not just for the sheer quantity of it. The outstanding quality of the produce involved in each dish was evident, as was the chef&#8217;s passion in its delivery. Each member of staff was incredibly professional and just helped take the meal up that next notch. We were never rushed, and each course was delivered with perfectly timed precision. Back? I sure will be.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accessibility">ACCESSIBILITY</h2>



The pub is very wheelchair accessible and all on one level. On my visit, I saw first hand that staff were all to happy to help where they could and make the space as easy to maneuver as possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/07/Cookham-Best-PLaces-to-Live-Berkshire.jpg" alt="cookham" class="wp-image-47467" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/07/Cookham-Best-PLaces-to-Live-Berkshire.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/07/Cookham-Best-PLaces-to-Live-Berkshire-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/07/Cookham-Best-PLaces-to-Live-Berkshire-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/07/Cookham-Best-PLaces-to-Live-Berkshire-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/07/Cookham-Best-PLaces-to-Live-Berkshire-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/07/Cookham-Best-PLaces-to-Live-Berkshire-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Lots of places to stretch your legs and work off the post-feast bulge. We headed, rolled actually, into Marlow (just 10 minutes down the road) afterwards for a little mooch around the boutique shops. In Cookham itself, Cock Marsh and Cookham Common is a 45-acre biological Site of Special Scientific Interest. Lots of flora and fauna to look clueless at and you&#8217;ll also stumble across Bronze Age burial mounds. Historic National Trust property Cliveden House is just down the road, as is the Stanley Spencer Gallery for a real arty party.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-verdict">THE VERDICT</h2>



Good for: Everyone! Even the hardest to please would struggle to be, well, not pleased. All palettes, ages, and group sizes are catered for and the food is just excellent. 



Not for: Fine dining connoisseurs. No frills, foams, or white linen table cloths. But they&#8217;re the first to admit this isn&#8217;t what they are about.



The damage: The Sunday roast is amaaazing value for the size and quality with prices from £18.50. For the rest of the menu, starters are from £8, mains from £16.50, and puds £9.50.



Words by Ellie Ball



<a href="https://thewhiteoak.pub/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The White Oak,</a> The Pound, Cookham, Maidenhead, SL6 9QE. Telephone: 01628 523 043.

Review: The White Oak, Cookham

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