Bucks &amp; Oxon

That&#8217;s hilarious Mag &#8211; did you go? did you like it? x

This place sounds great just what my husband and sons like &#8211; they are big meat eaters and partial to a drop of real ale! My mouth was watering so much as I read the article that I’ve booked a table for 6!

<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-49802 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/07/The-Chequers-Marlow-exterior.png" alt="" width="923" height="615" />
THE LOWDOWN
Bang in the centre of Marlow&#8217;s Georgian-fronted High Street (since the sixteenth century!), directly opposite The Ivy and just a stone&#8217;s throw from Tom Kerridge’s The Coach, <a href="http://www.thechequersmarlow.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Chequers</a> offers a more relaxed alternative to its fine dinning neighbours. Many people (myself included) disregard the pub because they are unaware of its charms. Enter Muddy. A new manager has taken over this year and really shaken things up; a refurb, updated seasonal menu and weekly quiz, gin and live music nights are just some of the changes he has made to transform this local’s boozer into a foodie destination.
THE VIBE
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-74374 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-pub-2.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="749" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-pub-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-pub-2-150x112.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-pub-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-pub-2-668x500.jpg 668w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Don&#8217;t be put off by the blokes drinking their pints outside &#8211; it&#8217;s A LOT cooler than you would expect from its exterior. You&#8217;re welcomed by a classic brass bar with shabby-chic planks and a relaxed seating area ideal for after-work drinks. Turn left into the adjoining Churchill Tap (Marlow&#8217;s only craft beer haven) for a nod to history with original beams and Brakspears’ beers dating back over 500 years. Basically if you like the amber nectar, you’re in luck here.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-74371 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-pub.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="749" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-pub.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-pub-150x112.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-pub-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-pub-668x500.jpg 668w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Further into the the heart of the building, the dining rooms have a pleasant mix of the old and new with two additional snug eating areas. The homely middle area plays with tradition, with exposed brickwork, mixy matchy upholstery, a grand fireplace, memorabilia scattered on the walls and Persian rugs. I can imagine tucking into a lovely roast here in the winter, so I will definitely be back to try their Sunday carvery (yes people, they&#8217;re making a comeback!), utilising the theatrical centre piece of the huge butcher&#8217;s block, below.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-74369 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-butchers-block.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="749" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-butchers-block.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-butchers-block-150x112.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-butchers-block-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-butchers-block-668x500.jpg 668w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
The bright and airy room towards the back of the pub where I ate (below) is more suited for hot days as it was mercifully cool in late-July. I loved the hexagon tiled floor, quirky wall art, industrial bare-bulbs and a charcoal, red and black colour scheme which gives it a modern edge. Cool hanging top hats too!
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-74370 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-dinning-room-1.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="749" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-dinning-room-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-dinning-room-1-150x112.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-dinning-room-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-dinning-room-1-668x500.jpg 668w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
SCOFF &amp; QUAFF
The Chequers was reinvented as a meat specialist a couple years ago and no question that its British menu of steaks, burgers and fish and chips is a crowd-pleaser. I started with three HUGE pan roasted scallops with Granny Smith apple, chorizo and celeriac puree whilst my date for the evening &#8211; my 12 year old brother &#8211; attacked some perfectly crisp Buffalo BBQ glazed wings (the philistine was fascinated by the hand cleaning bowl that came with it).
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-73902 size-full alignnone" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-scallops.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="749" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-scallops.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-scallops-150x112.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-scallops-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-scallops-668x500.jpg 668w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
For main, I headed over to the meat fridge where the informed waitress explained all the different cuts and helped me pick the &#8216;wet-aged&#8217; Argentinian fillet steak(wet aged is different from dry-aged in that they are vacuum-sealed to retain moisture &#8211; who knew?!). This was then cut to size in front of me and cooked to order, brushed with bone marrow butter and served with roasted confit garlic, mushrooms, a merlot and pink peppercorn tomato, watercress and triple cooked chips.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-73906 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/argentenian-fillet.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="749" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/argentenian-fillet.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/argentenian-fillet-150x112.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/argentenian-fillet-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/argentenian-fillet-668x500.jpg 668w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
It was easily the most delicious steak I&#8217;ve ever had (even beats a £60 one from Gaucho) and I heard neighbouring diners say the same thing. The meat was so tender it melted in the mouth and had enough flavour to be enjoyed on its own so I used the fluffy chips to mop up the peppercorn sauce.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-74375 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/cheuers-steak.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="1500" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/cheuers-steak.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/cheuers-steak-100x150.jpg 100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/cheuers-steak-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/cheuers-steak-333x500.jpg 333w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
My brother had the grilled chicken BLT burger with smoked streaky bacon, tomato, lettuce and saffron aioli in a signature bun accompanied by skin on fries. He thought it was a bit dry (probably because he scraped all the healthy stuff out) but went nuts for the mac n cheese side.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-73892 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-cheesecake.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="749" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-cheesecake.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-cheesecake-150x112.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-cheesecake-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/chequers-marlow-cheesecake-668x500.jpg 668w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
A blueberry cheesecake with blueberry gel and gin macerated blueberries (they had me at gin) was slightly over-set but ended the meal on a refreshing note.
OUT &amp; ABOUT
Take advantage of Marlow&#8217;s smart retail offering including Mint Velvet, Winser London, Jigsaw and Whistles. Interior mecca <a href="http://www.homebarnshop.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Home Barn</a> is a short drive away and full of vintage and retro furnishings beloved by London stylists . Or head down to Higginson Park for an icecream and play park and further on to the river for a stroll in the sunshine.
THE MUDDY VERICT
Good for: Carnivores! Meat is the star of the show here but there is also a lot to love for families (there is a kids menu), hungry shoppers and craft beer enthusiasts.
Not for: Die-hard veggies. Although there are more meat-free options than last time Muddy visited, it&#8217;s still not extensive.
The damage: Meat is a bit pricey at £15 per 100g, but worth every penny. The rest of the menu is more reasonable with small plates starting at £5.50, mains ranging from £13 for a chicken burger to £16.50 for guinea fowl and desserts all around £6. They also serve a carvery from the Butchers Block on Sundays for £16.95.
<a href="http://www.thechequersmarlow.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Chequers</a>, 53 Highstreet, Marlow, Bucks SL7 1BA. Tel: 01628 482 053.
Words: Sophie Hadjikyriacos
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Still hungry? Take a look at more Pubs in our <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/fun-finder/?ref=bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fun Finder</a>.

Carnivores unite!

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