Green Cow Kitchens

I found the green cow kitchen Crumplebury very underwhelming and the experience is highly missold. Firstly, the concept of calling it a chefs table when in reality you’re being sat in a large room on a long table with about 20 other guests was a big shock. There was no personal experience nor were the dishes introduced over the sound of other guests on the table. I’d like to bring you attention to the definition of a chefs table: A table located in the kitchen of a restaurant, reserved for special guests and allowing them to see the chef at work and sometimes to be served a tasting menu. I’ve experienced some great restaurants and when you read what you may experience from a particular restaurant you do normally experience exactly that. In this case I feel like it is very much over compensated with the wording online. The food was genuinely sub standard. The courses didn’t seem anything special, the flavour selections were interesting. Nothing wowed me about the food, drinks or service. I had some conversations with the guests that were also awfully disappointed, however, they did say they have had better experiences there at Crumplebury in the past. One positive about the experience is that the grounds of Crumplebury are nice, on a farm and very nicely lit at night.

The Drinking Trough proclaims to offer a more casual dining experience (farm to table to its more well established Chefs Table fixed price menu 'Green Cow ' kitchen. Despite having mediocre main meals, cauliflower steak under cooked, a pitiful amount of mash apple sauce with my pork steak, it was redeemed slightly by a nice simple starter (no cooking involved! and sumptuous desserts, and first class service from the staff. We left feeling somewhat underwhelmed...to quote Food, its all about the food on their website, that was average and stingy in quantity, not good value and not what I 'd call casual dining. What is amazing is the country setting, the immaculate (lavish new building dining area , the journey down that winding country lane and the sense of trepidation as you park up literally in the middle of nowhere and being greeted at the door with a smile. We are foodies, I dont really care if I 'm eating in a cow shed or a Michelin star restaurant, it has to be about the food (a large part of it that would entice us back sadly that was the important bit we felt let down by.

Our first visit did not disappoint, having been recommended to go for Sunday Lunch. The location is really out in the country with stunning views all around. Lunch was exceptional. New season asparagus to start, was deliciously served with an egg and hollandaise. The sharing board of roasts was generous and a really innovative way of serving, for me. The ragu was outstanding and the meat was cooked so well. We shared deserts, as a group, and the conclusion was that we could have eaten all of them! Service was friendly, prompt without being rushed, in any way, and the place was full! We'll be back.

Saturday evening we had an incredible meal at the chefs table at the Green Cow Kitchen. The staff were brilliant and so kind, welcoming and accommodating. I had to alter the reservation a couple of times which was never an issue. They were also so kind accommodating diary requests. I am not a fan of lamb so they very kindly produced the most incredible beef dish as a replacement for the lamb course. So very kind of them. All the food served was lovely and the place itself has a warm family feel. The chefs table was great experiance and the other people there were lovely. A great evening was had and it made a lovely belated Christmas present for my boyfriend who is a foodie. The chef was lovely and talked us through the courses served. He was clearly passionate about food which added to the experiance. All staff with friendly and so kind. I will defiantly be visiting again and I would highly recommend trying the chef table.

We were lucky enough to be part of the launch of the chef’s table series; I can’t recommend this enough. Inventive and delicious food, excellent wines and insights from the very engaging chef made this an evening to remember. We’ve been coming to GCK for 10 years and this is what they do at its very best; warm, welcoming and really first class food and drink, with the kind of great service that anticipates your needs without intruding. Try it you’ll love it.