TWO Buckinghamshire restaurants have been named among the UK’s top 100 in a new list by SquareMeal.

The Oarsman in Marlow and The Greyhound in Buckinghamshire are included in the best restaurants list the UK has to offer.

The Greyhound takes the 22nd spot whilst The Oarsman comes in at 74th place.

SquareMeal described The Greyhound's food as "brilliantly executed and presented."

The website said: "Don’t be fooled by the quaint and cosy impression The Greyhound Beaconsfield gives from the outside, as you walk through the doors, this pub and restaurant is surprisingly spacious.

"Renovated by husband and wife team Daniel and Margriet – who have been honing their hospitality skills within Michelin-starred restaurants like Petrus, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, The Oxford Blue and Trinity - The Greyhound has been open for less than two years and has already made its mark as not only a must-visit destination for the town but for the county.

"The restaurant offers a traditional British appeal, with squishy leather seats set at polished, dark wooden tables. Drinks are served in traditional cut glass, with glistening gold straws poking out, while feather napkin rings add a luxe feel to the traditional setting.

"Bar snacks come with a gourmet upgrade including fresh crumpets with raclette & pickles, and bites of truffle arancini served with a red pepper ketchup. Our hero of the starters had to be the summer truffle, a dish of homemade cavaletti, neatly presented and topped with fresh grated black truffle at the table. Mains of Berkshire Saddle of Lamb served with Swiss Chard and white onion is the perfect modern take on a traditional dish, brilliantly executed and as with all the dishes - beautifully presented. The pudding menu is carefully thought through and there’s an ever-changing cheeseboard served with seasonal condiments. Instead of large, decadent portions, the desserts offer just enough of a treat to satisfy a sweet tooth.

"The Greyhound Beaconsfield manages to bring the quality of a fine dining restaurant with the kind of warm hospitality that makes you feel like you are dining among friends."

Marlow's The Oarsman has been hailed as a fantastic place to meet with friends.

Squaremeal said: "The Oarsman is a contemporary bistro pub and wine bar in the heart of Marlow from restaurateurs and hospitality specialists Nigel Sutcliffe and James McLean.

"Both bring to the project an exceptional level of industry experience; Nigel previously worked with Heston Blumenthal at The Fat Duck Group and was managing director of The Crazy Bear Group, while James won Young Chef of the Year. They’ve now joined forces to re-launch British pub The Oarsman as a place to meet friends for a drink at the bar, enjoy a fantastic meal in the cosy restaurant or relax outdoors in its covered alfresco courtyard.  

"The décor has been kept traditional to evoke the feel of a classic British boozer, albeit with a slightly more upmarket edge. Look out for a large red brick fireplace, studded leather booth seating, hanging lamps and a rustic wooden bar in the centre of the space.  

"The kitchen is headed up by award-winning chef Scott Smith, who brings with him a wealth of experience at Michelin-starred restaurants across the UK, including Arbutus, Wild Honey and Sugar Boat in the Scottish town of Helensburgh.

"The menu features bistro-style, seasonal dishes served from the open kitchen for lunch and dinner, while a snacky small plate menu is available from the charcuterie and larder counter.

"Starters might include steak tartare with croutons and smoked egg yolk, Andalucian-style gazpacho and hand picked white crab, as well as courgette fritters with feta and mint. While mains include BBQ pork chop, warm radish, cream cheese and ‘nduja, alongside Bavette steak frites, Café de Paris butter and rocket, and battered haddock, chips and pickled onion.

"Nigel’s knowledge of the wine industry has informed his approach to the wine list, which includes tried-and-tested favourites as well as more unusual bottles. There are more than 300 wines on the list from over 40 countries, all of which are farmed sustainably, most organically and a large chunk biodynamically with minimal intervention." 

SquareMeal’s Restaurants Editor, Pete Dreyer, said: "Restaurants never cease to amaze us - every year we're blown away by talented teams, who always seem to find new, innovative ways to push the boundaries of food.

"As always we're so grateful to everyone who works in hospitality, and we're forever in awe of the passion and love that goes into restaurants up and down the country. A huge thank you also to the thousands upon thousands who voted to support their favourite restaurants this year."