Black Boy’s Inn in Hurley – Another Review
Black Boy’s Inn in Hurley – Another Review – This time by: Antonia van Deventer
After Dr Ling’s glowing review at https://dine-online.co.uk/foodie/the-black-boys-inn-hurley-on-thames/ this is rather disappointing. I can only assume the Black Boy’s Inn was having a bad day?
I feel I must write to you and tell you of my experiences at the Black Boy’s Inn in Hurley.
As someone who knows Henley reasonably well (I work there) it is not unreasonable to try and get to know the local eateries. I drive past the Black Boy’s Inn every day, and know a wide range of people who have eaten there. Having heard good things about it I thought I would take my new husband there for his birthday supper. Something new, something different and – I hoped – something to extend our honeymoon a bit.
We arrived at the pub to be greeted very warmly by the manager. We were shown to our seats and a sweet waitress came and took our drinks orders, having put a plate of delicious warm bread with olive oil and marinated olives in front of us.
I can only assume that it was the head waitress who then came to take our food orders. The unseasonably warm weather had obviously done nothing to thaw this frosty type, who proceeded to make both of us feel as though we had committed some heinous crime every time we asked a question. I ordered the venison, and having been told there was both butter and milk in the mash I asked if I might have new potatoes instead as I am a sensitive soul and don’t like too much dairy. She said that if Chef could not do new potatoes, I would have to have my food with no potato at all or choose something else from the menu. My husband then ordered the venison as well, at which point our frosty friend barked, “She ‘as ordered ze last one”. Cowed, he plumped for duck. We looked at each other somewhat incredulously as she stomped off to the kitchen, and sat bolt upright when she returned, lest we got our knuckles rapped for poor posture.
Our orders were repeated back to us, including “One venison wiz no potato, because Madame does not like it”. She went to the neighbouring table and we agreed between us that we would rather spend our evening somewhere else. We cancelled our orders and left, by which time it was 8.30pm. The only place we thought could guarantee us a spot was Pizza Express in Henley, so off we went. I was able to order a pizza with no cheese, the waitress was charming, attentive and welcoming, and mortified when she found out that it was my husband’s birthday and she hadn’t put a candle in his pudding.
Who’d have thunk it?
Having read Antonia van Deventer review I find it very sad that she didn’t enjoy the Black Boys Inn as much as my husband and I have done for the past year. I find it quite surprising to hear about the service at the table not being welcoming. Even more odd is that the waitress was a “frosty” as I don’t believe there is anyone working there of that description, or at least not that my husband have ever meet in our numerous visits. Although I understand that every establishment can have an off day I feel compelled to defend the Black Boys after I, my husband, and friends have had so many positive experiences.
I myself have had the problem of arriving and find that they have sold out of a dish I particularly liked the look of. However I would rather have a fresh dish cooked from scratch from locally sourced game or fish (even if this means there is finite amount of what is in season and prepared). With every respect Mrs Antonia van Deventer and her husband may have enjoyed Pizza Express, but I think choosing another dish of a menu is a price worth paying for great food. The option of processed frozen food appears to me a big sacrifice for reliability.
I completely accept that they may have been having an “off” day, as we had heard such good things. It’s just a shame really! Perhaps we’ll give it another go soon.