Royal Oak, Yattendonback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Centrally located and upmarket village pub in the same village as the West Berkshire Brewery. Ales were Good Old Boy & Mister Chubb's Lunchtime Bitter from the brewery. The cider was Abrahall's Slack Alice. The outside of the pub on the roadside is covered in foliage. There is a small garden at the rear, with a building site in between the building and the garden itself. Most people were in the garden and were dining alfresco, as it was just too warm to be inside early yesterday evening. But there is plenty of space inside. The pub appears to double up as a hotel.
|
I was here on Saturday 29 November with a large lunch party. We had full use of the dining room and before the meal the main reception area too. Although I had a pint of beer (which was well worth drinking) I did not sample the pub section. Despite there being another busy lunch party in the bar, we had excellent and friendly service from the staff, and I would certainly go again if in the area.
|
I recently dined here on one of the stormiest nights I can remember. It was well worth battling through local roads for the experience. Although menu choice was a little restricted, the food itself was of superlative quality, matched by stellar service by charming staff. The decor is impressive and in good and fitting taste. All in all, a wonderful gastronomic experience and one which I would wholeheartedly recommend.
|
The Royal Oak has had a reputation for good food going back to the 1980s way before "gastro-pubs" were invented. Had lunch there today. The set lunch (3 courses) was first rate, the service was excellent and the beer - West Berks Old Boy Bitter some of the best I've had in a long time.
Two other West Berks beers were on tap, but I can't recall which ones.
It's smart and a bit up-market but it's still a pub not a gastro-pub/bar and well worth the effort of finding.
If you want to combine this with a trip to the nearby Pot Kiln at Frilsham, this is the one I'd choose to eat at.
|
Decided to pop in here on the say-so of the new Good Beer Guide, last Friday after enjoying a fine luncheon at the nearby Pot Kiln - which sadly ruled food out here, though from what I observed it looked worthy of attention.
The Royal Oak is a light and airy contemporary-styled bar and restaurant, with a clear emphasis on the grub side, though the grog was not underplayed, with a well-stocked bar including a range of cask ales - mostly though not all from local delight the West Berks brewery. What we sampled (Good Old Boy and Pale) were found on form.
Clearly this is a stylish place, that contrary to some earlier comments I think successfully marries the pub and restaurant concept (very few do), as it isn't too minimalist in decor, and coming in for drinks alone was not in any way frowned upon by the chap in charge, who seemed a very jolly cove. Granted, dry sales may now be king, but wet are not ignored. Clientele were predominantly well-heeled - well what do you expect in this neck of the woods?! I didn't feel an undue air of superiority or snootiness, though during a busier period (lunchtime was all but over) that might be less valid a statement.
There is a garden which would have been gorgeous on a sunny day; as it was it was chucking it down so we remained bar-bound.
In short, I rather liked the Royal Oak, and will certainly try to visit again if in the vicinity. It is an antidote in a way to the more traditional rusticity of the Pot Kiln nearby, though if it's a down 'n' dirty boozer you're after that favours food less than beer/cider, then you probably need to be somewhere other than Yattendon!
|
Just back from lunch there today. Loved it. Great garden out back,
|
This is 80% restaurant and 20% pub. It has changed hands many times in recent years. Pub area is really quite small but good ales on tap. Some friendly people and lots of old world charm.
|
|
