The Cheerful Soul in the Hare & Hounds held its opening party on Saturday 25 July.

Over 100 people attended and were welcomed with Pimm's and ale from the local Rebellion brewery, as well as canape sized portions from the starter menu.

After the ribbon was cut by Raymond, Michele and Russell, guests ate dishes from the main menu, such as Braised Atlantic sea trout with summer vegetables, white wine and basil; Warm roast chicken ballotine, fresh garden salad, tarragon dressing; Braised lamb clod fillet, smoked aubergine, buttered spinach; and Slow cooked belly pork, wilted gem lettuce, peas and spring onions.

People attending included:

Neil Marshall, Town Mayor of Marlow
Helen Rathbone, organiser of the upcoming Marlow Food Festival
Nick Green, Villeroy & Boch
Alasdair Hooper and Tim & Lindsie Selby, who were other contestants on series two of BBC Two's The Restaurant
Nicola English, Michele's mother, who did all the interior design
Cliff and Jane Evans, who set up the Kileva Foundation, raising money to supply clean water to those in poverty overseas
Lots of press and media
local neighbours and supporters

The seasonal menu will take inspiration from great British produce such as South coast crab and clotted cream tart; a pressed ham terrine with cauliflower piccalilli; chervil tagliatelle with mushrooms, pea shoots, wild garlic and soured cream; and a fillet of trout braised with early summer vegetables, white wine and basil. One of the first things that Russell & Michele did was to create a small vegetable and herb garden, which they hope to use to supply the kitchen.

Should you have room for more, delicious desserts such as Eton Mess and rhubarb trifle will be hard to resist, along with a traditional British cheese board served with charcoal biscuits and oven dried grapes.

The renovation of the 17th century country pub that is home to The Cheerful Soul has taken three months of hard work and dedication by a team lead by Michele and Russell, who have lovingly exposed century old beams and opened up rooms so they are flooded by sunlight.   

There will be two bars, one of which will be dedicated to local customers, offering a variety of British beers, including hand pulled ales and Pimms on tap, as well as bar snacks, such as prawns with mayonnaise and home-made pork pies. Beyond the bar is a 60-70 cover restaurant driven by seasonality and British produce, initially open for lunch and dinner five and a half days a week.   

Michele and Russell’s energy, creativity and attention to detail are evident throughout the Hare & Hounds, from the quality of the in season produce sourced and the research and evolution of traditional British recipes; to the warm welcome that awaits you on arrival and the personality injected into the décor.    

The Cheerful Soul in the Hare & Hounds is for lunch and dinner five and a half days a week (closed on Sunday evening and all day Monday). For reservations call 01628 483343 or email hello@thecheerfulsoulrestaurant.co.uk

The Cheerful Soul in the Hare & Hounds, which is backed by restaurateur and legendary chef, Raymond Blanc, Brasserie Blanc & Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, is more than a restaurant, it is the first step to fulfilling a dream for Russell and Michele. The journey began when they entered and won a coveted place as one of nine couples competing in the second series of BBC Two’s The Restaurant. After trials, tribulations and a very tense train journey catering for passengers on the Orient-Express, they triumphed, winning the opportunity of a lifetime, to open their very own restaurant. The Hare & Hounds is a traditional 17th century country pub and restaurant on the Henley Road, within walking distance of Marlow town centre, which is an idyllic and historic town on the River Thames. We wish them success. You can follow their progress on their blog which you can find here