Pheasant is full of pluck, with first-class food
The Pheasant Reading Road Winnersh RG41 5LR the-pheasant-hotel. co.uk 0118 978 4529
WHEN the promise is good food, good drink and good company, that’s a lot to live up to – but that’s exactly what we got when we visited The Pheasant.
The Winnersh-based bar and restaurant is under new management, and its garden and adjacent accommodation underwent an extensive makeover last year.
Its new food menu specialises in English cuisine with a twist.
The location benefits from easy access and on-site parking.
It also has an extensive rear garden, with 100 seats and tables that were spaced out. There are also some heated dining shacks, and a covered area just in case it’s a traditional British summer.
It is a great space to eat, drink and relax with friends and family.
Inside, you’ll be struck by how bright, open and spacious the Pheasant is. The decor was fresh and comfortable with flowers on all the tables which added a lovely touch.
We were greeted by Ceci, The Pheasant’s friendly new manager and shown to our table, before being introduced to our Waiter, Nate, who was every bit the perfect host.
The menu created by The Pheasant’s talented new chef is well thought out, offering something for everyone, and using fresh and seasonal ingredients.
For starters, we enjoyed sharing a selection of dishes.
First was the sautéed Moroccan Prawns (£6.95), served with small wild leaf salad, Moroccan sauce, toasted flaked almonds and sourdough toast.
It was a perfectly presented and generous portion of warm perfectly cooked prawns.
Our children normally hate cauliflower, but they really enjoyed the deep fried cauliflower wings with soy ginger sauce (£5.95).
Other starter dishes on the menu include Mackerel Terrine (£6.95) served with watercress and cucumber salad and sourdough Crostini (£5.95), Grilled Halloumi with wils leaf salad, spring onion, sundried tomato, olive oil and balsamic glaze (£5.95), and freshly made soup of the day £6.95.
Moving on the main course, I opted for the Pan fried
Salmon served with Seaweed potato, chard Pak choi with a passionfruit Hollandaise and Samphire (£16.95). This dish was really special with stunning presentation.
The salmon was cooked to perfection with a beautifully seasoned crispy skin, the potatoes were perfectly cooked and flavoured, the pak choi expertly cooked with wilted leaves and al dente stalks.
The silky smooth passion fruit Hollandaise gave this dish a real twist, whilst the slightly salty and distinctively crisp sampire worked perfectly with the buttery fruity hollandaise.
My son opted for a rib eye steak (£21.95), served with a large roasted portobello Mushroom, cherry tomatoes on the vine, goose fat chips and rocket salad that normally is accompanied by bernaise or blue cheese sauce, but my son asked for him to have peppercorn sauce which the chef made specially for him.
The steak was tender, succulent, flavoursome and perfectly seasoned.
The stack of goose fat chips were super crispy on the outside and light and fluffy in the middle, and devoured quickly.
My husband chose Grilled Curried Chicken Breast (£13.95) served on a bed of sweet potato fries, tomato chutney and The Pheasant’s signature curry sauce. A fabulous combination of flavours; crispy sweet potato fries work in harmony with the lightly curry seasoned chicken breast accompanied with the tangy homemade tomato chutney and curry sauce on the side.
This was a wonderful dish which my husband highly rated.
My daughter chose grilled chicken strips served with chips (£5), from the children’s menu, which she enjoyed very much.
We were very excited to try the new desserts.
There was a cheesecake of the day (£6.25), which was delightful. A crunchy biscuit base with a thick and creamy vanilla middle, not too overly sweet topped with a strawberry coulis.
The luxury chocolate gluten free, vegan brownie (£5.95) was a treat, served with a creamy vanilla ice cream.
The Pheasant offers a wide variety of beverages, including cocktails and gins.
We felt The Phesant was fantastic: first class food, amazing service, and a great atmosphere.
While I went with my family, it would also be a perfect location for a get together with friends.
On Friday, June 3, The Pheasant will be celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with live music and a barbecue. The fun starts from noon.