The Green Man
Hinton Road,
Hurst RG10 0BP
0118 934 2599
https://www.greenmanhurst.co.uk/
THINK of the quintessential English village pub and you’ll probably picture a centuries-old inn, with oak beams and plenty of history, nestled next to a cricket pitch, and boasting a beer garden plus, in a concession to more recent times, a car park.
The Green Man in Hurst ticks all those boxes and more.
Earlier this year, it reopened its doors after a six-month refurbishment, spearheaded by landlords Wes and Victoria Tunstead. This is a second location for them as they also run The Dog and Duck in Embrook.
You cannot fail to be charmed by the building’s character, boasting a wealth of beams, cosy corners and unusual levels.
There are three fireplaces which will provide a cosy atmosphere in the cooler months.
And, of course, there is an extensive food menu, including a selection of specials which are regularly changed. Sunday lunches are also available.
For starters, my son chose the smoked salmon gravlax (£11), served with pickled veg, herbed butter, and fresh sourdough bread. The salmon was cured with a blend of sea salt, sugar and dill. The generous portion made his mouth water.
My daughter and husband opted for the Olives & Bread (£9), served with balsamic vinegar and olive oil dip, accompanied with fresh sourdough and herby butter. Simple, but delicious, this was a perfect starter.
I decided to opt for the Arancini (£8), served with Applewood cheese, and spinach rice balls served on a chunky tomato sauce. The warm gooey cheesy interior was encased in crispy breadcrumbs and quite delicious.
For the mains, my son chose Prawn Tagliatelle (£19) from the specials board. These were juicy and served with hot smoked salmon, and in a white wine sauce, accompanied by fresh tagliatelle and sprinkled with vibrant, crispy samphire. This was an indulgent dish which he enjoyed immensely. It deserves a place on the main menu.
My husband selected the Cajun chicken burger (£17) – it was huge and very satisfying. The grilled juicy Cajun spiced chicken breast was slathered in burger sauce and served with a juicy beef tomato, and crispy gem lettuce in a soft bun with skin-on fries.
My daughter chose Mac & Cheese (£7.50) from the children’s menu. Deliciously rich and gooey, it was devoured with relish.
The Herb-crusted Pan Fried Hake (£18) was my choice, and it came with root veg mash, braised fennel topped with crispy samphire and accompanied with a caper beurre blanc.
The dish was something very special, and the presentation was immaculate, with the saltiness of the capers and richness of the butter adding another dimension.
The four of us decided to share two desserts. The first was a mixed berry crumble with custard (£7). It comprised beautifully soft berries with a buttery crunchy oat topping and was a definite crowd-pleaser.
Our daughter decided that we also needed to sample the strawberry and cream waffle (£8). The waffles were fluffy and light, served with juicy strawberries and drizzled with strawberry sauce, served with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream.
This was met with high approval from us all.
Being a Brakespear pub, The Green Man also has an excellent range of drinks including beer brewed in Henley, wines, and spirits.
We enjoyed our visit to The Green Man and would highly recommend it. The food was excellent, the service was outstanding, and the ambience was perfect.
We are already planning our next visit.
CLAIRE WORSFOLD
