Bucks &amp; Oxon

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="844" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/the-stag-mentmore-hill.jpeg" alt="stone pub on side of a road surrounded by trees " class="wp-image-156138" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/the-stag-mentmore-hill.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/the-stag-mentmore-hill-800x450.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/the-stag-mentmore-hill-1000x563.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/the-stag-mentmore-hill-400x225.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<a href="https://thestag.pub/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Stag at Mentmore</a> on the North Bucks borders is steeped in history. Built by the Rothschild family in the mid 1840s, it remained in the family estate until 1944, when it was first taken over by a brewery. Many years later when the landlord struggled to find new tenants, the residents of Mentmore decided they couldn’t risk losing their beloved inn and clubbed together to take it over.&nbsp;Refurbished and reopened in 2020, today The Stag at Mentmore is an independent community-owned pub, owned by 42 local shareholders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="976" height="549" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Stag-bar-.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156063" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Stag-bar-.jpg 976w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Stag-bar--800x450.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Stag-bar--400x225.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 976px) 100vw, 976px" /></figure>



Cosy and welcoming. The fire was lit on the blustery January day I visited, creating a warm and welcoming place to dine, with paintings from local artists brightening up the walls, all on offer to buy. Particularly striking were the abstract landscape oil paintings from local Tring artist Jo Jost.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="984" height="582" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-05-at-13.12.03.png" alt="Stag at Mentmore dining room with fire place and local art on the walls" class="wp-image-156064" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-05-at-13.12.03.png 984w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-05-at-13.12.03-800x473.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-05-at-13.12.03-400x237.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 984px) 100vw, 984px" /></figure>



The dining room is split into two parts with a further separate bar area and seating, as well as a coffee station for morning or afternoon guests.&nbsp; Take your pick from oak tables for dining, some comfy armchairs in the bar for pint-and-paper reclining, or the lower-levelled conservatory dining room overlooking a fabulous pub garden laid out across three levels &#8211; an ideal spot on sunny days.



Choose to wine and dine on the posh tables at the top, or if you&#8217;ve got little ones who need to roam, opt for the beer garden benches where you can keep one eye on them and the other on your glass!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="847" height="476" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/stag-garden-2.jpg" alt="Pub garden The Stag at Mentmore" class="wp-image-156643" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/stag-garden-2.jpg 847w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/stag-garden-2-800x450.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/stag-garden-2-400x225.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 847px) 100vw, 847px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



Head Chef Martin Lee (three-time semi-finalist in the National Chef of The Year awards), took over the kitchen last summer, after a decade spent at Aylebury&#8217;s luxury Hartwell House.&nbsp;



The Stag at Mentmore’s menu is broken down into ‘pub classics’ and elevated ‘mains’ as well as a more concise daytime offering. Signatures include their weekly changing homemade suet pastry pie, with creamed potatoes and greens. Another staple is The Stag beefburger, served with jalapeño and shallot relish, roasted garlic mayonnaise, streaky bacon, cheese and pickles in a pretzel bun, served with skin-on chips.



Ingredients are locally sourced wherever possible and suppliers change seasonally. The pub’s eggs are laid minutes from the pub at Oak Wood Farm.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Stag-Starter-1-1000x563.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156067" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Stag-Starter-1-1000x563.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Stag-Starter-1-800x450.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Stag-Starter-1-400x225.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Stag-Starter-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Stag-Starter-1-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



I set my sights higher than classic pub grub and let Martin suggest two adventurous starters. Grilled coconut cured sea bream with grapefruit gel and candied chilli was beautifully charred with the candied chilli adding a lovely tickly of spice and fresh grapefruit segments adding some sharpness. Lee&#8217;s Hartwell House days were evident in the attention to his plating up and pretty little finishes like leaf-shaped edible tuilles.



Vegetarian starter roasted king oyster mushrooms, tarragon emulsion, pickled mustard seeds, mushroom duxcelles was equally pleasing, the tarragon and pickled mustard seeds proving perfect partners to round off the meaty mushroom taste.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Main-Course-Stag-1000x563.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156069" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Main-Course-Stag-1000x563.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Main-Course-Stag-800x450.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Main-Course-Stag-400x225.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Main-Course-Stag-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/Main-Course-Stag-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



For main course I tucked into a very generously sized sumac marinated bone-in pork chop, with roasted slices of cauliflower, curly kale, toasted almonds and haricot bean puree along with a side of comforting crumbly topped chunky mac &amp; cheese.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/stag-dessert-2-1000x563.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-156071" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/stag-dessert-2-1000x563.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/stag-dessert-2-800x450.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/stag-dessert-2-400x225.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/stag-dessert-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/stag-dessert-2-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>







The gingerbread brownie, hailed by more than local as ‘life-changing’ according to Lee, was faultless, served with caramelised white chocolate sauce, salted caramel ice cream, and surrounded by a fine gingerbread crumb. 



Local drinks brands include the pub&#8217;s own ale, 1847, a small cocktail list (due to be expanded shortly by manager Sam Howells, plucked from Hartwell House), and several local beer and spirits brands and even a local tea &#8211; Two Spoons from Bedfordshire. English wines should be joining the wine list soon.



If the food is looking a bit fancy for the little people, rest easy &#8211; children are fully catered for with their ‘Little Person’s’ menu and the centrepiece of Sunday’s offering is the great British Sunday roast.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1440" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/pitstone-windmill-buckinghamshire-1267040-scaled.jpeg" alt="Pitstone windmill against chiltern hills - National Trust image " class="wp-image-156141" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/pitstone-windmill-buckinghamshire-1267040-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/pitstone-windmill-buckinghamshire-1267040-800x450.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/pitstone-windmill-buckinghamshire-1267040-1000x563.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/pitstone-windmill-buckinghamshire-1267040-400x225.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/pitstone-windmill-buckinghamshire-1267040-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/pitstone-windmill-buckinghamshire-1267040-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">©National Trust Pitstone Windmill </figcaption></figure>



The area is popular with cyclists and horse riders and the front of the pub is often a pit stop for classic cars. In fact, The Stag offers a dedicated Cycle Hub with secure bike storage and a stock of useful tools and pumps for on-the-spot maintenance. You&#8217;re pretty rural here, but you can make a virtue of it with walks onto gorgeous blowy <a href="https://www.chilternsaonb.org/map_marker/ivinghoe-beacon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ivinghoe Beacon</a> or <a href="https://www.greensandtrust.org/rushmere-country-park?gclid=CjwKCAiAq4KuBhA6EiwArMAw1Pew1j31rYvC6zg-wBIaVr-7AnYjNqp311tnJd598zoQI69VYH8MeBoCce0QAvD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rushmere County Park</a>&#8216;s 400 acres, and National Trusts Ascott and <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/pitstone-windmill" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pitstone Windmill</a>. Leighton Buzzard is your nearest town, around 10 minutes away in the car. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="844" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/the-stag-mentmore-rear.jpeg" alt="stone pub with walled garden and road side sign with trees in background " class="wp-image-156142" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/the-stag-mentmore-rear.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/the-stag-mentmore-rear-800x450.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/the-stag-mentmore-rear-1000x563.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/02/the-stag-mentmore-rear-400x225.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Good for: Foodies will love it here, but it also caters well for families &#8211; the garden is a treat for al fresco dining and their summer BBQ events. 



Not for: This is a proper gastropub in a perfect little village but if you’re after a glitzy night out this probably isn’t for you. 



The damage: Starters range from £8 &#8211; £10.50 and mains from £17 for classic pub dishes to £28 for lemon sole. Sunday roasts are very reasonable £18 &#8211; £22. Kids meals are £9- £10.



<a href="https://thestag.pub/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Stag at Mentmore</a>, The Green, Mentmore, LU7 0QF. Tel: 01296 534 450.



Words: Jo Aspin

Muddy eats: The Stag at Mentmore, Bucks

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