Bucks &amp; Oxon

Whoop, whoop! Lock up your men &#8216;cos it&#8217;s Friday night and the laydeeez are hitting the town! Well, the rather upmarket old town of Beaconsfield to be precise. Destination &#8211; The Crazy Bear&#8217;s restaurant. Mission &#8211; to locate the ultimate girls night out buzz. Agent &#8211; Muddy&#8217;s Nicky Richardson.
THE LOCATION
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-68634 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Thai-restaurant-exterior.jpg" alt="thai restaurant outside exterior" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Thai-restaurant-exterior.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Thai-restaurant-exterior-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Thai-restaurant-exterior-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Thai-restaurant-exterior-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
The Crazy Bear hotel opened in Beaconsfield Old Town back in 2008 to much fanfare because, aside from its sister hotel in Stadhampton, there&#8217;s really nothing like it in the area. Well, can you think of another place with zebra heads on flock wallpaper?! Basically it&#8217;s totally over the top, with a bling-tastic interior, outdoor swimming pool and more mirrors than even Kim Kardashian could use. Lead on, we&#8217;re all for it.
THE VIBE
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-69728 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/cray-bear-bar.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/cray-bear-bar.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/cray-bear-bar-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/cray-bear-bar-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/cray-bear-bar-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-69729 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/crazy-bear.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/crazy-bear.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/crazy-bear-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/crazy-bear-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/crazy-bear-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
Glam, buzzy and dripping with champers and chandeliers, it&#8217;s like Footballers Wives meets Made In Chelsea. For pre-dinner cocktails we were escorted to our table through the main bar and into a souk-like cavern draped in gold lamé (be warned, the tiled floors are an accident waiting to happen when in heels though we managed to stay upright). It was too chilly to sit round the snazzy pool area but I dare say after a few drinks, or on a hot evening it would be a fun place to hang out.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-68515 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/swimming-pool.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/swimming-pool.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/swimming-pool-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/swimming-pool-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/swimming-pool-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
There are lots of nooks and crannies to explore at The Crazy Bear with private dining areas and party rooms for hire. Put on your sunglasses and feast your eyes on this lot&#8230;
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-68522 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Crazy-Bear-seating-area.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Crazy-Bear-seating-area.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Crazy-Bear-seating-area-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Crazy-Bear-seating-area-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Crazy-Bear-seating-area-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-68523 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/private-dining-room.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/private-dining-room.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/private-dining-room-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/private-dining-room-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/private-dining-room-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
We were booked into the Thai restaurant which meant we had to exit the hotel and walk down the street. Fine on a May evening but be prepared with a brolly in winter.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-68529 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Thai-private-dining-room-2.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Thai-private-dining-room-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Thai-private-dining-room-2-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Thai-private-dining-room-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Thai-private-dining-room-2-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
SCOFF &amp; QUAFF
A raspberry Moscow mule, a Mojito and Peach Bellini were required to power us down the road to the Thai restaurant with its bizarre distressed lace curtains (think haunted house) and comfy leather banquettes.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-68633 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/cocktails.jpg" alt="cocktails mojito tall glass" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/cocktails.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/cocktails-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/cocktails-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/cocktails-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
There&#8217;s an extensive menu but we opted to start with a sharing selection of chicken satay, veggie spring rolls, baby squid and chicken wrapped in pandanus leaves. Nothing out of the ordinary here but very tasty and beautifully presented.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-69975 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/Crazy-Bear-sharing-plate-edit.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/Crazy-Bear-sharing-plate-edit.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/Crazy-Bear-sharing-plate-edit-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/Crazy-Bear-sharing-plate-edit-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/06/Crazy-Bear-sharing-plate-edit-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
The vegetable tempura was excellent &#8211; light batter with crunchy vegetables. Most starters are under a tenner, but the likes of sesame prawn toast with foie gras and wagyu beef tartare (neither of which we tried) cost more.
For our mains (by the way we needed to use our torches on our phones to read the menu, such was the seductive lighting) we went for a beef sirloin Panang curry with lychees and cherry toms, a chicken green curry with white aubergine and bamboo, the traditional stir fried chicken with cashews and capsicums and an aubergine curry with baby courgettes for the vegetarian amongst us. Sides of a papaya salad, Gai Lan with braised garlic, noodles and rice left the table groaning with grub. Most mains came in just under £20 and sides less than £10 and it was delicious &#8211; beautifully presented too.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-68656 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Crazy-bear-chicken-noodles.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Crazy-bear-chicken-noodles.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Crazy-bear-chicken-noodles-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Crazy-bear-chicken-noodles-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Crazy-bear-chicken-noodles-667x500.jpg 667w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />
By now and a few glasses of Burgundy later, there was very little room for puds but we innocently ordered the lemongrass panacotta with caramelised banana to share.
<div id="attachment_68657" style="width: 827px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-68657" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-68657 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Lemongrass-pannacotta.jpg" alt="" width="817" height="615" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Lemongrass-pannacotta.jpg 817w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Lemongrass-pannacotta-150x113.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Lemongrass-pannacotta-300x226.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/05/Lemongrass-pannacotta-664x500.jpg 664w" sizes="(max-width: 817px) 100vw, 817px" />I&#8217;m saying nothing.</div>
OUT &amp; ABOUT
Beaconsfield Old Town is very pretty, with rows of Georgian houses to ogle and plenty of fancy shops so if you&#8217;re staying at The Crazy Bear it&#8217;s worth making some time to have a stroll around and flex the credit card. The Old Town is mostly restaurants and interiors shops, while the New Town has more shopping but less character. You&#8217;re very close to Amersham (excellent boutique shopping and another gorgeous market town) for a trip out.
THE MUDDY VERDICT
<div id="attachment_63912" style="width: 1010px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-63912" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-63912 size-full" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/03/crazy-bear.jpg" alt="red black room big bed black embelishments large metal bath" width="1000" height="667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/03/crazy-bear.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/03/crazy-bear-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/03/crazy-bear-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/03/crazy-bear-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />If you&#8217;re too sozzled to go home, go for sensory overload and stay!</div>
GOOD FOR: Girls&#8217; night out, parties for friends and partners, special occasions.
NOT FOR: Families &#8211; this kind of camp OTT delight is wasted on the very young.
££: It&#8217;s not a cheap night out (cocktails are about £15 which feels a bit pinchy). However The Crazy Bear does offer something very different and in my book that&#8217;s always worth paying for.
<a href="http://www.crazybeargroup.co.uk/beaconsfield/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">thecrazybeargroup.co.uk</a>
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