16 replies to this topic

[Kiff]

I love this place, 900 years old (well there's been a free house there that long, not necessarily the same bricks and mortar though




Good food, good beer, heaps of history and pretty local..

[G&T]

I agree... an amazing building with great value food and friendly atmosphere... only criticism is that it's bit of a tourist trap, but I guess that's to be expected...well worth a visit or two!

[Fran]

This starts with the bonuses that it's not a chain pub (some of which are perfectly competent, but just dull because they're all the same) and the fact that it is a wonderful building with lots of nooks and crannies and interesting things to look at. The garden is mostly large patio I think, so although it's in the countryside, if you want grassy banks, you may be better somewhere else. Most importantly in my book, the food was good, creative, fresh and tasty, so this is one we'd probably go to again.

[Char83]

I agree. Despite living in Bucks all my life I was only recently introduced to the Royal Standard by a friend. (I'd usually go to the Crown in Penn and it never occured to me to venture down the little lane opposite).
The pub has huge novelty factor (hence the tourists) and is cosy and atmospheric. The food is also very good and reasonably priced. I like how they provide lots of info (including ghost stories, yay) on the back of the menu. The drive down the contry lane to get there only adds to the sense that you are going back in time
I was there on Saturday lunchtime and it seems they have a beer tasting evening coming up tomorrow evening.

Char

[PaulEden]

I went there for lunch today, very nice. Food good, fabulous building with loads of character.
Not really set up for daddy to take his 3 year old, but that's a minor complaint.

[Alan]

I haven't been there for many years and Ironiclly I lived in Harrow then, Do they still sell that strong ale, I think it was called old roger?

[PaulEden]

Don't remember anything by that name, but I didn't pay much attention to the range of beers as I sipped my lager shandy.

[Fran]

Not really set up for daddy to take his 3 year old, but that's a minor complaint.

Without wishing to cast aspersions on you or your daughter, who I am sure is well behaved when required (as I would hope you are too!), but for some people that will be a positive advantage.

[PaulEden]

Quite right and I applaud the fact that some pubs don't cater actively for children. In recounting the trip to my wife, we agreed that given the place is nearly 1000 years old and the interior is of it's period, high chairs might not be fitting.
It's a nice pub, but next time I go there, I won't go with my daughter.

[Alan]

Don't remember anything by that name, but I didn't pay much attention to the range of beers as I sipped my lager shandy.

Went to their site and they still do (Owd Roger Country Ale - Rich, dark, creamy and strong. Previously brewed by local medieval monks and unique to us until Marstons bought the recipe in 1960's.)

[Fran]

We haven't been for a couple of years, but they're keeping up their standards.

They have just won Best Pub of The Year and Freehouse of the Year 2009 in the Publican award ceremony in Grosvenor House, London.

See BFP article.

[Paul Capewell]

Very good! We went there on Saturday. (Nice to be home and treated to lunch out!)

All of us had food and everyone loved it. We sampled the Chiltern ale and the cracking Owd Roger (family tradition). We were showing a kiwi cousin the ropes. I think he loved it.

[DogChops]

I love this place - but - went there on Monday (Bank Holiday) and they only had the Sunday menu on (mainly roast) and I've got to say it was not a patch on their "normal" food! Disappointed.

[Fran]

Lots of places either dumb down (i.e. Sunday roast) or do premium menus for bank hols. If you like the place, I wouldn't write it off on the basis of a bank holiday.

[jarrod]

We had a very nice (late) lunch here on Saturday.

Just had main courses and drinks, no starters or deserts but the food was very tasty. We ordered from the specials board - Pigeon and Onion pie ( £13 ) and Braised Guinea Fowl with bacon ( £15 ) both of which were very good. The two real ales we had were good too (Marlow Rebellion IPA and Vale Chiltern Beer if I remember correctly).

Initially we had tried the Ivy House, but they no longer serve their full menu all day on Saturday, just a limited 3 choice menu between 15:00 and 18:00 (unfortunately it was 15:30 and we didn't fancy any of the 3 dishes on offer).

Apparently the same people now own the Red Lion at Penn too (in addition to the Harte and Magpie).

[Amersham Expat]

We're heading there straight from Heathrow when we land on Friday for lunch with my parents, so it's nice to hear the Royal Standard's still going strong, and serving good food and beer. Pigeon and Onion pie sounds great, with a pint of Rebellion sounds great!

I only hope it doesn't take too long to get through Heathrow's immigration system!...

[Presendo]

For the ones that liked the food, the Hart & Magpie between Gore hill and Amersham road by Coleshill belongs to the same owner.