Cool Places
The Crooked Billet
Newlands Lane Stoke Row Henley On Thames Oxfordshire RG9 5PU
This trad-looking rural pub overlooking fields west of Henley has developed a superlative word-of-mouth following for its food. Run since 1990 by ex-punk-guitarist Paul Clerehugh, the cooking (and décor) is homespun rather then plush, but foodies and celebs love it for that: Kate Winslet had her first wedding reception here, and the Observer Food Monthly magazine voted it the UK's best Sunday lunch. Much of the daily changing menu comes from Clerehugh's smallholding and neighbouring farms, including beef, lamb, buffalo milk and honey ice-cream. And this is a place with real heart and soul: there are regular music nights, and you can even bring your own home-grown produce and receive a credit for it against your own lunch!
