The Oaks

You know what's better than a plate of incredible food? Five plates of incredible food. And earlier this week, my waistband learnt that the hard way.

After a painfully long fortnight in the office my editor rounded up the troops, packed us into cars and gave us the postcode to a new little haunt in town. We found our destination tucked away down country lanes smack bang in the heart of Maple Cross. The Oaks.

The five course menu boasts a number of delectable goodies, starting with the pumpkin cream, a hunk of homemade bread and a drizzle of basil oil. Oh mama. I could feel my winter blues being quashed with each terrific gulp. If frosty weather means pumpkin cream on tap, bring it on Mr Weatherman, bring it on. My one disappointment? The bowl was just a few centimetres too long to allow my tongue to reach the bottom. Not to fear, friends. I didn't let anything stop me from draining the last few drops.

Next up came posh mushrooms on toast, or as our adoring waiter so delicately put it, 'toast of fried wild mushrooms, toavey goats cheese and balsamic shallots'. Whatever it was, it was freakin delicious.

G opted for the smoked mackerel with roasted beets and rocket. I was pretty smitten with my plateful, but I have it on pretty good stead that it was delicious. The presentation left more than a little to be desired but hey, delicious food means empty plates in a matter of minutes, right?

As soon as our plates had been whisked away, out came course number three. It was a pie. Now, if you've stuck with me for the past couple of months, you'll know that I like nothing more than a big chunky pie topped in flaky, sumptuous pastry. This little pie was not like that. This little pie was very different indeed. This little pie did not go home, or to the market, or eat roast beef. This little pie got my petticoat in a bit of a twist. Stuffed with water chestnuts, stilton and leeks, it was unlike any other pie I've had the pleasure of polishing off before. It was creamy but light, a little bland but with genius textures. I don't think I'd order it again but either way, I ate every last crumb.

Still reeling from the undefinable pie, I was distracted by the smell of rich beef stew wafting from right under my nose. More food. Stew, creamy mash and glazed carrots. It did exactly what it said on the tin, warmed my cockles, made my tastebuds tingle and filled my tummy. It was the kind of food that makes you feel proud to be British and/or give up your day job to become a pitch fork wielding farmer.

It was just one spring of rosemary away from me grabbing my wellies and riding off into the night on a tractor. After desert was served and respectfully demolished, of course.
Whenever I look at a desert menu there are three words which my I'm drawn to. The first is chocolate. The second, caramel, and the third, salt. This little tart had been teasing me from across the room. Soft chocolate, pecans, vanilla ice-cream and salted caramel sauce. What a beautiful hoebag she was.

Suitably stuffed and unable to move, we laughed, drank and shared stories until our tummy's could take no more. We made our way back to the cars before hitting the hay (by this I do really mean bed, the farmer career dream was nothing but a distant memory at this point) and sleeping it off.

I would strongly recommend getting your toosh down to The Oaks and checking out the delicious dog-walkers pub/restaurant with a gourmet twist menu. The five course banquet is priced at a ludicrously fair rate and you can check out your options right here on their website.