It is located near Maidenhead on the M4 corridor, making it an easy spot if you live on the right side of London, reached in around 40 minutes.
It opened in November 2024 with big boots to fill at the site of the former Royal Oak, a once Michelin-starred pub owned by Sir Michael Parkinson.(Image: Braywood)
Braywood has undergone radical change, with new modern extensions being added for a long cocktail bar and separate dining room.
Both are angular and structural with clean lines and clean shadows – it looked ready to be photographed in black and white.
Some of the old pub remains with one listed wall being painstakingly rebuilt after it was knocked down in error, and in the bar, exposed beams copied the ceiling of the old pub, but with added space.
The bar is packed on Fridays and Saturdays said the bartender, with taxis being booked beforehand so drinkers can enjoy the drinks to their fullest.
As the driver I sadly chose a non-alcoholic cocktail from the seasonal list, silver needle & violet tea, Lyre’s Italian Spritz and grapefruit soda (£13) – a sadness that did not last long once I had tasted it.
The dining room next door was like the food that was served in it – unfussy and well executed.
The most complicated dish was a jerusalem artichoke starter with charred pears and chicory (£18) – a fresh mix of textures and tastes.
A main of fillet of beef (£58) was a highlight, served with a crunching hash brown coated with more shedded beef.
There are fixed daily specials with Thursdays offering most extravagant option, a £100 cote de bouef to share with beef fat potatoes, cavolo nero, bone marrow diane sauce. We went on a Tuesday.
Sundays are a roast (£35), and the deserts also had a British twist, such as rhubarb and custard mille-feuille.
Sam says he likes food to be straightforward and not too messed around with – “I like lamb to be lamb, and pork to be pork”, he told me.
Braywood is not far from London, but in other ways Braywood it is even closer.
Head chef Sam Brennan told me he was trying to bring a bit of the London dining experience outside of London – a piece of the capital in Bray.
Braywood is a beautiful place to be, both modern but keeping the comfort of the pub it replaced. Similarly the food is refined but accessible, not to say incredibly delicious.
