Last week’s impromptu snow day was the perfect opportunity for a pub lunch. Easily walkable from Didcot, the Fleur de Lys in East Hagbourne is a cosy 17th Century village pub. It’s popular with locals and well known for its folk nights. But what was our lunch like?
The Fleur de Lys
From the front entrance the bar area is on the left and the dining room on the right.
The dining area seats around 50 people. I hadn’t thought to book and it was busier than I expected on a weekday lunchtime. Fortunately a table was available but if you’re eating in the evening or having Sunday lunch I’d recommend booking.
The pub is dog friendly; dogs are allowed in the bar area and small rear garden. The Fleur has a resident whippet called Floyd; presumably named after Keith Floyd, who once lived in the village.
Families are welcome too; there’s a children’s menu with the usual suspects. Alternatively I know from previous family visits that the kitchen are flexible about splitting portions.
The walls are adorned with art by local artist, Linda Benton. I love looking at her pictures as I always spot something new in them.
Lunch menu
Although main meals were available we opted for the lunch menu. This offers a variety of sandwiches and baguettes, ploughman’s lunch, jacket potatoes and omelettes.
There were nine different sandwich and baguette fillings; four fish, four meat and one vegetarian option. As a veggie I’d have liked a second option but at least I didn’t have the dilemma of what to choose!
Price wise, the sandwiches and baguettes range between £6-£8 which I think is a fair price. Jacket potatoes start at £8, the ploughman’s lunch is £10, as is a cheese omelette. I felt this latter was priced on the high side, but as I didn’t see it I might be judging unfairly.
Our food
I ordered a cheese and pickle baguette, whilst the kids chose fish finger and tuna mayo sandwiches.
Service was efficient and friendly, both behind the bar and at our table. The food arrived very quickly, although my partner had a longer wait when he turned up later.
Each plate came with a dressed salad garnish and coleslaw. We also shared a bowl of chips, which we covered in posh Stokes mayonnaise. Not the healthiest of meals but we did trek through a blizzard to get there!
My only niggle was the automatic addition of salad dressing. My daughter doesn’t like this so it’s an immediate excuse not to eat the greenery. Aside from this, our food was excellent, perfectly cooked chips, creamy coleslaw and good bread.
Drinks
The Fleur is in the 2019 CAMRA Good Beer Guide, and advertises five guest ales on pump and Morlands Original.
We had soft drinks and coffee with our lunch. I’m pleased to report the cafetière came with a mini wrapped chocolate.
Overall verdict
A big thumbs up from us. A combination of the food, service, and of course the snow, made this a memorable lunch for the right reasons.
More info
Address: Fleur de Lys, 30 Main St, East Hagbourne, OX11 9LN.
Opening hours: the pub is open every day. No food on Mondays or Sunday evenings. Otherwise food service hours are generally 12 noon – 2 pm (3 pm on Sunday) and 6.30 -9.30 pm.
Further details can be found on the Fleur de Lys website.
Four of us had a great lunch there, yesterday. The burger was great,as was my sister’s chicken pie; my husband thought the sausage and mash was good, and I recommend the scotch egg, which came beautifully garnished. I ordered a side salad and was happy that it was dresses, but I take the point thatyou might want to specify ‘naked’. And for four of us, including coffee, £54. Good value. We’ll be back.
That sounds great value, glad you enjoyed it too.