The Compleat Angler, Marlow food review on the riverside

The Marlow Free Press was invited on Thursday, May 12, to try The Compleat Angler's brand-new menu, created by Michelin star Chef Shaun Singh.

Chef Singh trained in India and has worked at some of the UK’s most prestigious restaurants, including The Bingham, London.

Inspired by the surrounding landscape, the new menu has been created using the freshest local produce, including apples from the nearby orchard, and herbs from the hotel's own garden, leaving the new menu bursting with flavour.

The menu includes a mixture of elevated British classics, such as Lobster and Crayfish Cocktail served with Flying Fish Caviar, Charred Monkfish with Tomato and Tamarind Chutney, an 800g Cote de Boeuf for two to share and more.

Shaun Singh, Head Chef at the Riverside Restaurant, told the Free Press: “Marlow has an extraordinary food and drink scene, with a number of world-renowned chefs located in this beautiful Georgian town, so when crafting this new personality for the Riverside Restaurant we knew we needed something with the wow factor in order to stand out.

“The Riverside Restaurant sits in one of most incredible locations in town, and our menu has been designed to complement our surroundings, and bring them straight to your plate.

"Boasting a mixture of premium dishes and timeless classics, all made using a variety of locally sourced produce and working with the elements, it is a creative and diverse menu.

“The majority of our ingredients and produce are proudly locally sourced; from our herbs which we grow ourselves, to our vegetables, meat and fish, which all come from sustainable, trusted suppliers to ensure freshness and quality with every bite.”

The review kicked off with a rather wet boat ride along the River Thames. In true British fashion, we tucked under some brollies as we sipped on a glass of prosecco watching the world go by.

Then we carefully clambered off the boat before being shown to our seats inside the Compleat Angler's restaurant around a private chef's table.

The hotel's food and beverages manager Vincenzo Di Mond kindly poured everyone a glass of Sauvignon Blanc before bringing over the first course, Lobster and Crayfish Cocktail.

This starter (£19), tasted fresh, zesty and creamy, with generous servings of lobster with large pieces of crayfish.

We then tried the whipped truffle goat cheese starter (£13). This was light and creamy and paired beautifully with the beetroot chunks.

I was impressed with the main course, a rack of lamb (£38) served with mashed potato and greens.

Usually, lamb dishes at restaurants feel heavy and are served with an overpowering red wine jus, but this dish tasted fresh with the fragrant home-grown mint sauce.

Right: Lamb dish and (left) monkfish curry dish (Image: Newsquest)

Fish lovers will also enjoy this menu as there's a wide variety of dishes, including char-grilled octopus, king prawn linguine or 'catch of the day'. 

I tried the spiced monkfish (£22) with steamed rice and mango curry. This was saucy, meaty and packed a punch with flavour. 

A dessert which complimented this main course straight away after was the buttermilk panna cotta with passion fruit and citrus fruits (£12.50)

Then we tasted the opera gateaux (£11), a chocolate cake served with caramel sauce and tangy strawberry ice cream and a pleasantly light dish.

From the moment we walked into The Compleat Angler, we were treated with a warm welcome, to expert knowledge of wines and cleverly crafted dishes.

The food was flavourful, and although a little bit on the pricey side, it is well worth it for the views of Marlow's stunning riverside.