The Crooked Billet
2 Westbrook End, Newton Longville,
Milton Keynes, MK17 0DF

Tel: 01908 373936

type: pub / restaurant

for: imaginative updates to classic dishes,  great wine list, huge cheese board, professional service, good beers

You enter into the bar area. Despite the quality of the kitchen, the bar area retains the feel of a good local, with no feeling of pressure to eat here. A good selection of beers and usually a few chatty locals at the bar make for a drinkers atmosphere. They also have a decent bar menu.

The restaurant area is broken into three smaller areas, quite basic in decor and furnishings. It has the feel of eating in a country house kitchen without any pretensions. Stone floors, open fireplace.

under construction.........

To end the meal with the all English cheese board is a daunting task. The choice is amazing. The staff are very knowledgeable and will take you through all the options if asked, but I find simply asking them to choose a selection is sufficient.

One of the problems is the wine list. It is so good that despite reasonably priced food, I always seem to run up a large bill here because I can't resist ordering something unusual. Anyone thinking of creating a wine list should visit. It is, of course, possible to drink well and inexpensively from the list, but it requires self restraint.  

A word on service. Too many restaurants in the area are staffed by young people who don't really have a clue about food preparation or how to serve it properly. I sometimes wonder if they have ever eaten in a decent restaurant. This is not a problem with The Billet where the service is professional and friendly. If only all manager would take the time to train their staff properly.