Review: Restaurant Dominic Chapman in Henley is 'delightful'

The Michelin-starred chef has taken over the hotel restaurant at the prestigious Relais Hotel on the river in Henley which is simply named Restaurant Dominic Chapman.

An immediate thought would be will the restaurant get a loyal customer base from non-hotel diners but if the food is anything to go by there should be no problem.

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This is fine dining, no question about it.

There is a wide range of British dishes from well-known classics to twists on some of your favourites.

With the restaurant being based in a hotel, it serves a breakfast menu and also a set lunch menu, at an inviting cost of £20 for two courses or £25 for three.

To start we tried the wild garlic soup and barrel-aged feta, the black cow cheddar tart and the Cornish crab salad.

The soup delivered a vibrant burst of flavour providing a refreshing and comforting start to the meal, perfect for those craving something both light and indulgent.

The tart's buttery pastry perfectly complements the sharpness of the cheddar while confit leeks add a subtle sweetness.

While the salad combines the sweetness of the crab with the crispness of shaved fennel and the tangy brightness of blood orange. Each bit a fresh burst of citrus and seafood.

Now for the main courses; I went for the old spot pork chop with black pudding hash browns and apple sauce, hispi cabbage, and red wine jus.

The pork chop is a testament to British classic and this was no different.

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The meat was tender and succulent with a superbly caramelized exterior and was paired amazingly with the red wine jus.

I raised an eyebrow to black pudding hash brown as this was a combination I had not seen before but it added crispy texture to the meal and was as rich in flavours as the rest of the plate.

Served along with hispi cabbage, it was a hearty and indulgent main that’s sure to please.

We also got a taste of the Brixham lemon sole with seafood taking centre stage in this dish.

The sole was perfectly cooked and was enhanced by the zesty flavours of samphire, cucumber, and dill.

It was served with Fowey mussels which brought a briny depth while a delightful lemon butter sauce tied everything together.

If you like seafood, this is the main to go for.

The rhubarb and ginger trifle is a twist on a classic dessert and was both visually and deliciously satisfying.

The tartness of the rhubarb is complemented by the warmth of ginger with layers of sponge cake, custard, and whipped cream adding a creaminess to each bite, making a fine end to the meal.

Also on the dessert menu is the classic Cambridge Burnt Cream, an English adaptation of the crème brulee which is believed to derive from Trinity College, Cambridge.

The rich vanilla dessert is paired with biscuits, which can be dipped into the cream once the sugar crust is broken.

The contrast between the crunchy caramelized layer and the creamy custard is simply divine.

It's a timeless dessert done to perfection offering a delightful conclusion to an exceptional dining experience.

Mr Chapman’s earlier career saw him head the Michelin-starred kitchen at the Royal Oak in Paley Street, Maidenhead, before opening the Beehive in White Waltham, which he ran for nine years.

He also acquired the Crown at Burchetts Green in Berkshire in 2022 and reopened the restaurant in June of that year.

Now taking his turn in putting his name to his own restaurant, you would expect Restaurant Dominic Chapman to have a similar triumph to his previous successes.