The French Horn — Restaurant in South Oxfordshire

Having passed The French Horn numerous times we arranged to go for a birthday treat on a Sunday.

The parking is opposite and is a little tricky to cross (especially when departing as it's a blind corner...do not imbibe and the road marking for where to cross are very faded).

The bar is pleasant. No sign of ales but there are some (at least three in bottle format, mainly Loddon) as well as Heineken.

The various entrees were fine as were the greets (not as "feet wash" as cruise ship staff).

The restaurant is dim and the single tea light had a limp weak flame (austerity?) and was a little cool (one waitress put on a blazer and was hugging herself whenever in sight).

The view was pleasing and the starter was good (1/2 lobster thermidor).

The ambiance was fine with a touch of wood panelling.

"Boris" as we nicknamed him (a diner on the furthest table facing away) was droning on about monetary easing and Claridge's)...I wish more noise cancelling panels existed at open plan dining rooms - single wedges which dampen the echo. The box list experience where I dined at in London (it's Bernie Ecclestone's favourite bar) is something I would welcome.

We shared a duck, carved next to us with a breast, wine and leg each.

The duck was indeed the best I've had and best eaten deconstructed (great with the Hocus Pocus ale). The dried seeds as a loose stuffing was superb.

Whilst sides were included with what we ordered the portions were proportionally less than the bird (albeit all the courses were generously served...especially in consideration of an establishment such as L'Ortolan).

The other staff were fine, I heard the gardener (as I know is his hobby) call over 'George'. I had a question for him and he didn't return with an answer (much later I asked 'the gardener').

Staff were very polite although having visited all of the Eastern European countries (in fact all of Europe except two for Whaling reasons) I did here them talk in our presence (and might be considered rude/whispering about others? French and English was also heard) Additionally we discovered staff were directed to 'Table 3' (which was us, again, I felt that shouldn't be in ear shot) and whilst there were hand signals too, that could have masked (chest to chest). [These remarks/observations were something I did prefer at L'Ortolan]

When checking the bill my last name was spelt incorrectly...a spelling I have rarely seen, which makes me consider issues arising from other admin errors - namely jars of ingredients which may be allergens - although different staff, a level of quality control shouldn't go amiss.

Leaving very full we didn't have dinner when home.

The next day I didn't feel well and retched in the morning (COIVD negative and I cannot explain the ill turn and headache I took until the afternoon.

Not cheap but top quality and would be curious to try again at another time and would recommend.

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My friend and I went for lunch for my birthday. As we had done the same last year and had an exceptional experience we were excited. Sadly this visit was disappointing to say the least. ||Lovely welcome to begin by the lady owner, with delicious champagne but it was all downhill after that. The service was slapdash with badly dressed waitresses. We both ordered halibut, a fabulous fish and one of my favourites. One dish looked like the fish had slid across the plate and the garnish had slipped off, sauce was tepid and the fish was so overcooked my friend couldn't eat much of hers. She told the waiter when he asked how we had enjoyed it, that it was very dry. He made absolutely no comment. The side dishes (green beans and potatoes Dauphinoise) were rather meagre and lacklustre with no real presentation. ||So onto dessert, my plate was plonked in front of me rather casually, but the chocolate pudding was very delicious. My friend had to send the hazelnut soufflé back because it tasted only of beaten egg-white, I can confirm I tasted it, no flavour at all. She then ordered the chocolate also, strange that her's had nicely piped caramel cream at the side but mind looked just spread on, but this pudding was nice as I said. We decided not to spend any more money on coffee etc. But they did give us the nice chocolates at the end which we appreciated.||When the bill came there was no comment on our difficulties, no apology, no reduction. |The bill came to £162 which I felt, considering the standard, a ridiculous price. We left no tip and vowed to go to the Manoir aux Quatre Saisons next year. Recounting our experience to my neighbour later he told me that apparently you are entitled to pay what you feel the meal was worth but have to alert staff to issues (which we did) so they can attempt to rectify them. I wish I had known that earlier. My issue with this experience is that they were well aware that we had issues with the meal, sending back the dessert brought no comment, no effort was made to make us feel like valued customers and it seemed they could care less if we ever came back. It makes me sad to have to leave a review like this. Let's hope they make some changes because it is a really beautiful venue...

My friend and I went for lunch for my birthday. As we had done the same last year and had an exceptional experience we were excited. Sadly this visit was disappointing to say the least. ||Lovely welcome to begin by the lady owner, with delicious champagne but it was all downhill after that. The service was slapdash with badly dressed waitresses. We both ordered halibut, a fabulous fish and one of my favourites. One dish looked like the fish had slid across the plate and the garnish had slipped off, sauce was tepid and the fish was so overcooked my friend couldn't eat much of hers. She told the waiter when he asked how we had enjoyed it, that it was very dry. He made absolutely no comment. The side dishes (green beans and potatoes Dauphinoise) were rather meagre and lacklustre with no real presentation. ||So onto dessert, my plate was plonked in front of me rather casually, but the chocolate pudding was very delicious. My friend had to send the hazelnut soufflé back because it tasted only of beaten egg-white, I can confirm I tasted it, no flavour at all. She then ordered the chocolate also, strange that her's had nicely piped caramel cream at the side but mind looked just spread on, but this pudding was nice as I said. We decided not to spend any more money on coffee etc. But they did give us the nice chocolates at the end which we appreciated.||When the bill came there was no comment on our difficulties, no apology, no reduction. |The bill came to £162 which I felt, considering the standard, a ridiculous price. We left no tip and vowed to go to the Manoir aux Quatre Saisons next year. Recounting our experience to my neighbour later he told me that apparently you are entitled to pay what you feel the meal was worth but have to alert staff to issues (which we did) so they can attempt to rectify them. I wish I had known that earlier. My issue with this experience is that they were well aware that we had issues with the meal, sending back the dessert brought no comment, no effort was made to make us feel like valued customers and it seemed they could care less if we ever came back. It makes me sad to have to leave a review like this. Let's hope they make some changes because it is a really beautiful venue...