Restaurant reviewed by Rudolf Koch
For twenty years Mr. Koch was running his own restaurants in Fleet Street, City of London. In the 1980's he contributed to the restaurant review of The Tatler, Britain's Top Society Magazine.

Drakes on the Pond at Abinger Hammer
Dorking Rd
Abinger Hammer
Dorking
Surrey RH5 6SA
Tel: 01306731174

Simple and deliciously restrained, the priority here is not the decor, but the food. Proprietor John Morris is in the kitchen and is continuing the restaurant's reputation for excellence, judging by current accolades.

His michelin-starred dinner menu might open with seared duck foie gras, sweetened red cabbage, golden sultana dressing, sweet potato soup with chorizo pancakes or tian of fresh white crab and creamed coconut, accompanied by spice coated soft shell crab and curry oil. Main course roast partridge, sweet potato fondant, buttered cabbage and chestnuts, carrot and cardamon puree or panfried fillet of halibut, a la francaise, peas, feves, bacon and potato. Followed by old fashioned lemon posset, lemon meringue ice cream limoncella and hazelnut biscotti or lemon grass roasted pineapple, white chocolate and coconut sorbet.

A carefully chosen wine list from around the world compliments the food.

Drakes on the Pond is situated on the Dorking Road in Abinger Hammer.

Proprietors John Morris and Tracey Honeysett