Eating Out In Henley - Angel On The Bridge.  Add/Read Comments

The pub must be one one of the most photographed drinking holes in Oxfordshire, commanding as it does a most sort after location, right at the end of the bridge as you drive into Henley. A commanding terrace sees hordes of under 25's sipping warm lager from plastic cups in a so-cool-it-hurts frenzy under the infrequent summer sun. The quirky building harbours a restaurant; which myself and two friends frequented for the first time.

The meal was fine. Crisp and fishy white-bait came in a generous quantity for my starter, although bread had to be asked for and came with sticks of frozen butter. One eating companion melted her's over the table candle to a spreadable state. Her cheese fondue and accompanying veg needed a further request - a sizeable plate to be able to eat off and utensils to actually pick up the veg, rather than using the two pronged fondue fork. My steak I thought initially underdone. Medium-rare I requested and the sizeable slab looked positively rare. But I was mistaken; the quality of the slice was superbly rendered. My second eating partners' sea-bass was perfectly cooked. Skinny chips were out of a packet though and the cauliflower veg side dish superfluous and quickly cold. A white Rioja and a Leonardo Chianti were the adequate, if unassuming wines; the wine list is poor.

After a pleasant munch discussing our woes and the picturesque views looking at the mist rising from the Thames we were asked for coffee. A dessert menu was requested but the kitchen, incredulously was now closed. No prior mention of this, no pre-warning that perhaps we should order a dessert and a very haughty attitude that really we should just bugger off, it now being after 9:30. A quick finishing of drinks and a departure. I paid nearly £90 for three people with two courses each and two cheapo bottles of mediocre wine. Expensive. No apology for the lack of dessert and a real surly treatment over payment when I refused to add in a tip. No thanks, no please come again and certainly no gratitude for being the only people in our restaurant this evening. To be honest a 'feck you I won't bother coming back' sprang immediately to mind; especially after drunken comments from barmaid friends sluring over the bar as we departed.