Gold Stars for the Golden Ball
You can understand why The Golden Ball in Lower Assendon, taken over by Ben and Priya Watson in November 2022 is proving to be super popular with locals and destination diners alike.
We headed to this pretty white washed cottage pub with its warm homely hug of a welcome for their Taste of Spring menu. Priced at £75 per head the menu proved to be extraordinarily good value for money with all courses being more than generously portioned. No scrimping or scraping going on in this kitchen.
You could add a wine flight for £60 with wines perfectly matched by Priya for every course, with a more than generous pour as well.
To prepare us for our gourmand journey we were presented with the fluffiest home baked rolls and a whipped wild garlic butter followed by the entry to our evening of banging flavours and tasty dishes, a pressed chicken thigh with bbq spring onions, crispy skin and watercress dressing (pictured above). It was utterly delicious.
It’s always a worry when tasting menu starts this good that you fear that things will wane somewhat, not here!
This was followed by the wild mushroom dish (above) then a dive into the full on tastes of spring with English asparagus, a super tasty spiced and jammy honey cured egg yolk and a wild garlic sabayon.
It is apparent that there is much love, attention and care going into every dish with special little touches on each one like the zingy shavings of pickled rhubarb that cut perfectly through the richness of the pork belly and the oily mackerel in dish No.4.
Sauces on all of the dishes had real depth of flavour, were rich, glossy and moreish. Yes, I even sipped out of the wee jug of extra vin jaune sauce on the table as it would have been criminal not to, plus I was getting looks as I was sweeping my finger around the plate to scoop up every last drop!
Talking about attention to detail and little touches, the tempura jack-by-the-hedge on the lamb dish was inspired and to be honest these would be a great as little bar snack. A bowl of those with a crisp white sat at the bar would be a perfect pastime.
To prepare ourselves for the finale, the pre-dessert and palate cleanser of angelica ice cream and wood sorrel was the perfect neutraliser, light, creamy and delicate.
And what a finale the sublime rhubarb and custard tart was. Beautiful short pastry, perfect vanilla crème pâtissière, poached rhubarb, zingy rhubarb and micro lemon balm which gave a pop and a pow of explosive lemony freshness. What a joy!
No wonder they are listed in the Michelin Guide and The Good Food Guide. Gold stars all round for The Golden Ball, we can’t wait for our next visit.
The Golden Ball is run by husband and wife team Ben & Priya Watson with over 25 years combined experience in some of the country’s best restaurants including The Square, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Gymkhana and Core by Clare Smyth.
The restaurant offers regular seasonal tasting menus as well as an A La Carte menu, set lunches and Sunday menu.
Address: The Golden Ball, Lower Assendon, Henley-on-Thames RG9 6AH
