The Wheatsheaf Review

The Wheatsheaf is my go-to gastropup in our area and it really is a delight. What puts it above the rest (there are quite a few gentrified gastropubs in West Berkshire) is the combination of its décor, its original menu, the quality and freshness of food, as well as its unique extra shop hidden in the attic. That’s right, it has a shop upstairs, selling and sourcing homemade produce, local produce, handcrafted homeware and boutique clothing. It is all arranged in a very effortless, organic way, as if you are stepping foot in somebody’s bedroom. So quirky and cool.

The owner of the pub has very strong connections with local farmers, so all their ingredients are either homegrown or sourced from local, sustainable places. And the iconic part of the menu is The Wheatsheaf’s wood-fired pizzas. Like most people, I have eaten a lot of pizzas, but these really top them all, even those in Italy. There is something about the base and their homemade tomato sauce that is so so delicious, and feels like it just couldn’t be recreated in any way. It is simple of course, but must be to do with the way they treat the tomatoes – whether its roasting them first, or stewing, or slow cooking, I don’t know! But it’s incredible - fresh and flavoursome, with a slight sweet tanginess to it which goes divinely with salty toppings, such as anchovies or bresaola. As I can’t eat dairy, I always order the base without cheese and veggie toppings, and as the sauce is so good I don’t feel like I am missing out at all without the cheese! The vegetables are also usually roasted to perfection, with a wide variety, which I pair with anchovies for a salty kick. The specials are changing constantly at this place, and each one sounding more delicious than the next! The chef is not afraid to experiment, which I love, whilst also sticking to the humblest of ingredients.

Another thing that makes this stand out as a pub for me, is their live music nights! Such talented musicians, who come in and play a range of genres: jazz, soul, funk. I once spent a heavenly evening watching a jazz band, equipped with a xylophone and all, perform some of the best jazz music I have ever heard, whilst everyone danced around them and sipped cocktails on the grass as the sun went down. It does get pretty packed though, so make sure you come early to get a good spot!

The vegetarian pizza/The Margherita #pizza #woodoven #fresh #seasonal #produce