Hurley Home Lodge is a brand-new enterprise in Berkshire on the busy A4130 between Maidenhead and Henley. It sits on the positioning as soon as occupied by the Purple Lyon pub — and its Syrian-born proprietor, Bassam Shlewet (who offered his TTT Moneycorp Group some years in the past to RBS) is set to succeed.
Every little thing is pristine; the employees are devoted; there’s a number of outside area with a barbecue space and the meals is sensational. I haven’t had such a very good dinner in yonks (‘blow-torched Brixham mackerel tartare with celeriac remoulade, apple and horseradish’ to begin, adopted by Windsor Property roe deer as a foremost).
However that is perhaps anticipated, provided that the ex-Michelin-starred Michael Chapman (previously of the Royal Oak at Paley Road) is within the kitchen.
Hurley Home Lodge is a brand-new enterprise in Berkshire on the busy A4130 close to Henley
‘He’s out to get one right here,’ says a captivating girl who escorts me to my room, of which there are ten in whole.
I ask her if Hurley Home is a so-called boutique lodge or restaurant with rooms. ‘The intention is to have a standard pub ambiance with an ideal restaurant and wonderful rooms upstairs,’ she says.
Room 6 is certainly a charmer (I’m upgraded with out having to ask), with muted colors, nothing on the partitions and huge lavatory (Floris smellies) with free-standing tub and walk-in bathe.
Unusually, the bedside lights go on and off on their very own accord, a small teething situation. Downstairs, the pub factor is big, however with loads of little nooks and crannies, a woodburner and welcoming central bar with beer pumps galore.
I just like the wine checklist, too, chosen by the previous sommelier of the Harwood Arms in London, one other Michelin restaurant.
Breakfast is served in a small facet room off the principle bar. The buffet is a bit of spartan and definitely lower than the imaginative requirements of dinner the evening earlier than.
“I haven’t had such a very good dinner in yonks – however that is perhaps anticipated, provided that the ex-Michelin-starred Michael Chapman (previously of the Royal Oak at Paley Road) is within the kitchen”
Then, simply as my espresso arrives, a person walks up and introduces himself.
‘I’m the proprietor,’ he says. ‘And I ponder for those who can inform me precisely what you consider my lodge.’
Mr Shlewet actually desires to know. I inform him concerning the flickering lights and he says he’ll sleep in Room 6 himself tonight to search out out the issue first hand. I point out the breakfast and he says it is going to be served in the principle eating room in future.
He’s stuffed with enthusiasm, open (‘I spent £6 million on it and it took solely a year-and-a-half to construct from scratch’) and I depart hoping that Hurley Home shall be a triumph.
I’m certain it should.
