Anyone local to Cookham knows and loves The Ferry. Perched beside the Thames on Ferry Lane, the riverside pub is large enough that you’ll get a table most nights and filled with a mixture of large tables, cosy nooks and snugs to accommodate all kinds of visitors from big parties to canoodling couples. We’ve been going with our kids for years and have always been happy with the menu and the service.
Recently though, The Ferry has had a make-over. While it looks very stylish and comes complete with a new menu, you can rest assured that it’s still the same Ferry pub that we all know and love. The interior has been freshened up with lots of reflective surfaces, glimmering with copper and chrome and decorated with muted aqua-blue upholstery. The update is super swish but it still feels as inviting and comfortable as ever.
The menu has seen the biggest change. You’ll find all your favourites including steak, pies, burgers and fish and chips but you’ll also find a range that reflects the changing tastes and lifestyle of Brits including a large array of vegetarian meals to choose from. Light and summery pizzas and spiralised salads with brown rice and quinoa and starters with Mediterranean mezze delights alongside a super-tempting sticky meat platter are just some of the exciting additions on the menu.
We started with the salt & szechuan pepper squid with aioli which was lovely. Long strips of crispy-fried squid that was not at all oily or heavy. The kids had burgers and agreed that they were indeed as good as ever. My partner had the Lobster, Crab & ‘nduja Sausage Linguine made with seaweed, white wine, tomatoes, garlic & chilli which looked incredible and had just the right amount of heat. I couldn’t resist the Buttermilk Southern Fried Chicken stuffed with ‘nduja sausage, with sweet potato fries, apple salad and preserved lemon aioli. It felt a little lonely on the plate and the apple salad was more of a garnish however, the chicken piece turned out to be deceptively meaty. The crispy-fried skin was not too oily and the meat was moist and tasty.
The dessert was a bit of theatre in itself. We ordered the Melting Golden chocolate bomb with caramel ice cream, chocolate popping candy and hot Devon cream toffee sauce. The waiter pours the hot sauce over the chocolate ball right there at the table and the chocolate melts to reveals the ice cream before your eyes. It’s a very sweet dessert and no doubt a solid-gold hit with the young and young at heart.
With plenty of outdoor seating, The Ferry is super spot for enjoying those long, sunny afternoons and balmy evenings of summer. Be sure to check in on their website for specials and offers whether it’s a seasonal event, mid-week discount, Sunday roast or wine club.
The Ferry , Sutton Road, Cookham, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 9SN. To book a table visit the website or call 01628 525123.