Although the sun is still shining, the turn of the season is just around the corner, heralding the arrival of a fresh crop of delicious and satisfying produce and the heartier dishes of autumn and winter.
Orchards, fields and hedgerows are all bursting with wonderful seasonal delights, from apples, pears and berries to mushrooms, sweet potatoes and squash, with game, pies and warming slow braises hot on their heels.
Plenty of this fantastic seasonal fare has found its way onto the new season's menu at The Thatch, a glorious gastropub in the heart of the historic market town of Thame, making it the perfect spot to drop in for a midweek lunch or linger over a superb Saturday night dinner.
New dishes for autumn
Launching this month is an all-new menu of autumnal delights, featuring starters of spiced Crown Prince pumpkin soup with crispy sage and pumpkin seeds alongside air-dried Dorset pork with celeriac and apple salad and apple dressing. Hearty mains include sweet potato lasagne with polenta chips and the kick of red chilli pesto plus tender braised lamb shoulder with spinach, roasted squash and mint jus. There's also a fantastic 14 hour braised beef and ale pie with buttered mash, greens and gravy which shouldn't be missed.
Cooler autumnal months offer the perfect excuse for filling up on comfort desserts such as egg custard tart with poached plums or blackberry cheesecake with blackberry purée. Steamed golden syrup sponge and a jug of rich custard is also the ideal way to cope with falling temperatures outside.
All of this good stuff and much more is served daily at The Thatch, which now offers a great value fixed price lunch on Monday to Friday where you can choose two delectable courses from starters, classics or puddings for £14.50 or three for £16.50.
A new look for an old favourite
This historic gem on Thame's bustling high street has also been given a gorgeous new look, leaving it well placed to put its best foot forward this season. Escape the chill by stepping into the pub's cosy snug and finding a lovely spot for pre-dinner drinks in front of the fire or for a little gathering over a bottle or two of fizz. The snug is richly decorated in warm damson with comfy armchairs, old wooden settles and glowing copper.
The eatery beyond the bar is a dramatic space for a candlelit dinner with its sumptuous new booths clad in damson leather and plaids, its plush indigo velvets and hand-painted 'Walled Garden' Rapture and Wright wall-coverings in rich plum. When you hanker for good food and wine in an elegant setting in the comfort of a great pub, The Thatch is the ideal setting.
What's on this season
As well as a midweek moules and frites supper served every Wednesday at The Thatch and Posh Fish & Chips on Fridays (sustainable catch of the day for two served on a sharing board with triple cooked chips and braised peas), there are always exciting events taking place at the pub. This season's highlights include a Halloween pumpkin carving competition taking place between 23rd October and 31st October and the chance to try British game such as locally sourced pheasant, quail, grey legged partridge and venison specials on Thursday 8th November.
Looking ahead to Christmas
The Thatch has a proper Christmas feast planned, with a pub full of good cheer as well as all the festive good stuff. On the menu are bronze, free-range turkeys from Worcester, British beef and sustainable fish. The atmosphere will be magical, with the fires lit, mulled wine gently simmering on the bar, buttery mince pies stacked up in the kitchen and Santa hats on the table for every guest. There will be a list of award-winning wines and bubbles to choose from too, so all you need to do is gather your friends, family or work mates. Contact the pub to book a table or find out more here https://www.thethatchthame.co.uk/christmas/
