Royal Oak

Pub Details

Address
Ruscombe Lane
Ruscombe
Berkshire
RG10 9JN
Telephone
(0118) 934 5190
Opening Times
Weekdays
12 - 3, 6 - 11
Sundays
12 - 4
Closed
Sun and Mon evenings

Location

Good Pub Guide Recommended

Wide choice of popular food at welcoming pub with interesting furnishings and paintings, and adjoining antiques and collectables shop The new Binghams Brewery is just across the road from this welcoming, well run pub (known locally as Buratta's)and the Space Hoppy and Twyford Tipple arrive on a barrow; they also have Fullers London Pride on handpump and stock wines from the Stanlake Park Vineyard (also in the village). The open-plan carpeted interior is well laid out so that each bit is fairly snug, but still manages to keep the overall feel of a lot of people enjoying themselves. A good variety of furniture runs from dark oak tables to big chunky pine ones with mixed seating to match – the two sofas facing one another are popular. Contrasting with the old exposed ceiling joists, mostly unframed modern paintings and prints decorate the walls - mainly dark terracotta over a panelled dado. Picnic-sets are ranged around a venerable central hawthorn in the garden behind (where there are ducks and chickens); summer barbecues. The landlady's antiques and collectables shop is open during pub hours. The pub is on the Henley Arts Trail.

Good Pub Guide Food

Using their own eggs and some local produce, the good, popular food includes sandwiches, chicken liver pâté with red onion marmalade, feta cheese, sun-dried tomato and olive salad with parma ham, mushroom and leek stroganoff, saddle of rabbit with garlic and mashed potato, beef stroganoff, and salmon and prawn linguine.

Bar food times: 12 - 2.30, 6.30 - 9.30; 12 - 4 Sun; not Sun or Mon evenings

Good Pub Information

Dogs allowed in: Dogs Anywhere

Rating

  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
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Rating: 3/5 (200 votes cast)

Reader Comments

paulhu

Friday 23 December 2011 7:19:09 pm


Popped in last night and had there Xmas party menu. My wife had a very nice smoked chicken and bacon salad with honey and mustard dressing. I had a very nice and large starter of prawns marinated in marie rose sauce topped with smoked salmon.

My wife then had the traditional roast turkey which looked good - I went for Fillet of Sea Bream with fennel in a white wine and cream sauce with red onion, pepper and chilli in oriental sauce served with rice ( mine actually came with small new potatoes but no matter) This was very nice. One of the best fish dishes I have had for a while.

I then had the lemon tart and my wife the cheese and biscuits which were very good.

We had a nice bottle of chilean merlot and I started with a Bingham's Twyford tipple excellent as usual.

Very nice evening.

paulhu

Sunday 04 December 2011 12:22:10 pm

We went there last Saturday. As usual it was up to its excellent standard. The staff are
efficient and friendly and the food good value and nice to eat! One point we had not picked up before - the wines are actually very good value compared to other local pubs.

I had the black pudding 'stack' starter My wife the Thai fish cake with sweet chilli dip. Nice presentation.

My wife then had the famous ( signature dish!) Red Thai Chicken and prawns served with noodles. Very very good as usual! I had the confit duck with bacon and flageolet beans served on a bed of mash - also very good.

We had cheese as a dessert with a excellent glass of port. Great main entry!

paulhu

Sunday 31 July 2011 8:42:32 am


Long time since we ate here but we went back last night. It is as good as ever attentive service, lovely ambiance and good food. We started out with a drink in the garden. I had a great pint of the 'Twyford Tipple' brewed in the industrial estate opposite the pub.

I had a special of pigeon salad starter which was excellent. My wife and her sister had the Thai fish cakes which they said was very good. They both wanted the Red Thai chicken curry with noodles starter, my wife had it in a starter portion her sister had a larger sized portion. There was no question about them begin willing to do it. These were excellent as usual. I had the mackerel fillets with a apple sauce ( which was divine) and potatoes. Fantastic food. We were too full for dessert but all agreed it was a great meal.
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paulhu

Monday 02 May 2011 7:41:34 pm


Popped in for lunch during a walk today. I had a Tuna and sweetcorn sandwich with a side salad ( nice dressing) and crisps. This was very nice. We had a side dish of chips ( 3 pounds) which was a bit much we think. but the welcome was as good as ever!

paulhu

Monday 13 December 2010 8:00:42 pm

This pub is one of three who are now selling a local pint see

http://www.binghams.co.uk/
Binghams Brewery is now brewing and hopes to open its on-site shop soon. We moved into our premises in Ruscombe at the end of August 2010 and since then we've been busy moulding the premises to be suitable for a real ale brewery producing beers with character and quality.

paulhu

Monday 20 July 2009 7:59:32 pm

This pub has always been a favourite of mine since I recommended it to the guide a few years ago. The landlord/landlady are the perfect hosts and they do a good job of getting their staff to put this into practice.

Recently they have taken to selling antique/collectables in the pub which seems to be doing well. The ducks/geese/chicken are still there despite the constant attention of a local fox.

The London Pride as an excellent pint and they have taken to having a guest beer as well. We had a very good French Merlot for around sixteen pounds.

My wife had their 'signature starter' Thai red chicken curry with noodles. You get a large portion and it is perfect. I had mixed meats with bread and olives also very good.

My wife then followed with a steak - they should have given her a steak knife, I had chicken supreme. Vegetables cooked to perfection.

For desserts I had their 'signature' pancake filled with ice cream and chocolate sauce, my wife had a lemon tart. Both were very good.

Easily deserves their full entry in the guide.

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