Forget the image of British pub grub being all about greasy frozen food, deep fried - there are still many, many UK pubs offering fabulous meals created using top quality ingredients.
Admittedly often you can pay top dollar for good food served in a traditional yet stylish pub setting but I've found a place where you can get quality food at extremely competitive prices set in stunning English countryside, an area of outstanding natural beauty no less, just a stones throw from the world famous Champneys Spa in Tring and less than an hour out of London.
Last night I went along to The Full Moon in Hawridge and Cholesbury in Buckinghamshire , in an area of outstanding natural beauty where you can get on-tap ales, lunch, dinner or coffee and cake to enjoy inside or out.
Nearby you can watch the villagers play cricket on the green, or walk or cycle through ancient woodlands. See if you can spy the nearby traditional windmill from the large pub garden or cosy up in front of a real log fire indoors or perch at a barrel bar table with a pint under ancient beams if the weather is, well, British.
It's the perfect place for Londoners to escape the city at the weekend and for locals to line the bar discussing the latest sports results. Walking in we didn't feel at all uncomfortable or unwelcome - this manages to be a pub for all people.
I went along with a group of fellow mums from my village school to take advantage of the Fish & Fizz offer. (#gifted #ad)
This offer means two people can enjoy fresh beer battered fish and skin on hand-cut fries with homemade tartare sauce and a fresh lemon wedge plus a bottle of Prosecco to share for just £26.
That's just £13 a head for a meal using fresh fish delivered that morning from Cornwall, lightly battered with not a drip of grease to be seen.
We followed it up with desert from the all too tempting sweets menu - a homemade lemon posset was deemed gorgeous and the two diners who chose homemade chocolate Brownies with ice cream wolfed them down.
I enjoyed my Belgian waffle served with good quality vanilla pod ice cream and maple syrup while my mate enjoyed the sticky toffee pudding with custard I kinda wished I'd chosen.
This characterful pub is filled with nooks and crannies and larger rooms so whether you are looking for a romantic night out for two or a social meet-up with friends, The Full Moon is ideal. There's a private function room for hire too now, check the website for details.
We used to take our older boys up there years ago (when I just had two children) mainly because of the stunning outlook and large enclosed beer garden where they could run around safely while we enjoyed a drink or a meal.
That was a loooong time ago and although the lovely large garden is still there, the pub is under relatively new ownership nowadays.
I spotted the improvements to the decor since our last visit straight away. The owners Philip and Hannah have managed to retain the fundamental British pub feel while bringing touches of a more gourmet pub feel to the venue.
Fresh flowers and quirky light fittings inside and fascinating illuminated sculptures outside make this a nice place to relax but true foodies will be more interested in the impressive menu offered at The Full Moon.
Head Chef Andrew O'Connor started his career at age 16 and quickly rose to the position of head chef by the age of 20, making him one of the UK's youngest head chefs in 2006.
Since then Andrew's passion for freshly sourced produce has led him from Lincolnshire and Northern Ireland to the Isles of Scilly.
Speaking about cooking at The Full Moon he said: "We only work with fresh food so the cooking process starts from the evening before. We put our orders for fish & meats in at 10pm for delivery at 10am the next day...I'm back in at 7am to then prep food for the day."
A glance at the main menu last night offered delights such as the moon burger, a home-made, hand pressed 100% steak burger with Cheddar cheese, crispy squid rings with chef's chilli jam, Devon crab linguine with chilli garlic and lemon and Indian spiced butternut squash and spinach risotto with crumbled feta cheese. Prices range from £11.50-£22.50 for main courses.
I'm reluctant to tell you about their Friday fish special night where those who book and get there early enough can enjoy lobster, scallops, sardines and more, all fresh from Cornwall. Let's keep that weekly treat a secret between you and me eh?
Kids are welcome and catered for with menu choices like a mini-moon cheeseburger or battered fish with hand cut chips or sliced roasted ham, egg and chips for £7.50 to include a scoop of ice cream.
And if you enjoy entertainment with your meal or drink, The Full Moon has a range of events lined up this summer with tribute acts performing your fave Elvis, Queen and Michael Jackson hits.
Check the website for details of how to book for these and for details of opening hours and food service availability at lunch and dinnertime.
Disclaimer: I was invited to sample the Fish & Fizz menu free for the purpose of this honest review. The Full Moon is around 15 minutes taxi ride from Tring station on the Euston line and easily accessibly by road. There is free parking.
Admittedly often you can pay top dollar for good food served in a traditional yet stylish pub setting but I've found a place where you can get quality food at extremely competitive prices set in stunning English countryside, an area of outstanding natural beauty no less, just a stones throw from the world famous Champneys Spa in Tring and less than an hour out of London.
Last night I went along to The Full Moon in Hawridge and Cholesbury in Buckinghamshire , in an area of outstanding natural beauty where you can get on-tap ales, lunch, dinner or coffee and cake to enjoy inside or out.
Nearby you can watch the villagers play cricket on the green, or walk or cycle through ancient woodlands. See if you can spy the nearby traditional windmill from the large pub garden or cosy up in front of a real log fire indoors or perch at a barrel bar table with a pint under ancient beams if the weather is, well, British.
It's the perfect place for Londoners to escape the city at the weekend and for locals to line the bar discussing the latest sports results. Walking in we didn't feel at all uncomfortable or unwelcome - this manages to be a pub for all people.
I went along with a group of fellow mums from my village school to take advantage of the Fish & Fizz offer. (#gifted #ad)
This offer means two people can enjoy fresh beer battered fish and skin on hand-cut fries with homemade tartare sauce and a fresh lemon wedge plus a bottle of Prosecco to share for just £26.
That's just £13 a head for a meal using fresh fish delivered that morning from Cornwall, lightly battered with not a drip of grease to be seen.
We followed it up with desert from the all too tempting sweets menu - a homemade lemon posset was deemed gorgeous and the two diners who chose homemade chocolate Brownies with ice cream wolfed them down.
I enjoyed my Belgian waffle served with good quality vanilla pod ice cream and maple syrup while my mate enjoyed the sticky toffee pudding with custard I kinda wished I'd chosen.
This characterful pub is filled with nooks and crannies and larger rooms so whether you are looking for a romantic night out for two or a social meet-up with friends, The Full Moon is ideal. There's a private function room for hire too now, check the website for details.
We used to take our older boys up there years ago (when I just had two children) mainly because of the stunning outlook and large enclosed beer garden where they could run around safely while we enjoyed a drink or a meal.
That was a loooong time ago and although the lovely large garden is still there, the pub is under relatively new ownership nowadays.
I spotted the improvements to the decor since our last visit straight away. The owners Philip and Hannah have managed to retain the fundamental British pub feel while bringing touches of a more gourmet pub feel to the venue.
Fresh flowers and quirky light fittings inside and fascinating illuminated sculptures outside make this a nice place to relax but true foodies will be more interested in the impressive menu offered at The Full Moon.
Head Chef Andrew O'Connor started his career at age 16 and quickly rose to the position of head chef by the age of 20, making him one of the UK's youngest head chefs in 2006.
Since then Andrew's passion for freshly sourced produce has led him from Lincolnshire and Northern Ireland to the Isles of Scilly.
Speaking about cooking at The Full Moon he said: "We only work with fresh food so the cooking process starts from the evening before. We put our orders for fish & meats in at 10pm for delivery at 10am the next day...I'm back in at 7am to then prep food for the day."
A glance at the main menu last night offered delights such as the moon burger, a home-made, hand pressed 100% steak burger with Cheddar cheese, crispy squid rings with chef's chilli jam, Devon crab linguine with chilli garlic and lemon and Indian spiced butternut squash and spinach risotto with crumbled feta cheese. Prices range from £11.50-£22.50 for main courses.
I'm reluctant to tell you about their Friday fish special night where those who book and get there early enough can enjoy lobster, scallops, sardines and more, all fresh from Cornwall. Let's keep that weekly treat a secret between you and me eh?
Kids are welcome and catered for with menu choices like a mini-moon cheeseburger or battered fish with hand cut chips or sliced roasted ham, egg and chips for £7.50 to include a scoop of ice cream.
And if you enjoy entertainment with your meal or drink, The Full Moon has a range of events lined up this summer with tribute acts performing your fave Elvis, Queen and Michael Jackson hits.
Check the website for details of how to book for these and for details of opening hours and food service availability at lunch and dinnertime.
Disclaimer: I was invited to sample the Fish & Fizz menu free for the purpose of this honest review. The Full Moon is around 15 minutes taxi ride from Tring station on the Euston line and easily accessibly by road. There is free parking.