Here, at Sonning in Berkshire, our hotel and restaurant sits by The Thames, at the point where the river is at its most beautiful. Walk into the cosy bar and you'll be greeted by a French Horn tradition, the sight of ducks roasting in front of an open fire. Everything is as it should be in this family-owned English institution, run by the Emmanuel family since 1972.
Life is good here. Our Head Chef Josiane Diaga and team select the best seasonal ingredients and treat them with respect. Honest, classical dishes are complemented by a carefully curated wine cellar which, for example, features wines from every Burgundy village. Service is impeccable and the dining room one of the prettiest on the Thames.
Life is good here. Our Head Chef Josiane Diaga and team select the best seasonal ingredients and treat them with respect. Honest, classical dishes are complemented by a carefully curated wine cellar which, for example, features wines from every Burgundy village. Service is impeccable and the dining room one of the prettiest on the Thames.
Services
Originally a coaching inn, The French Horn has been providing hospitality for over 200 years. Now a restaurant with rooms, it has been run by the Emmanuel family since 1972, when it was bought by restaurateurs Ronnie and Carole Emmanuel. The French Horn is now run by their son and daughter, Michael and Elaine.
The fact that we don't serve food all day (there is a lunch service and a dinner service) ensures a real sense of occasion amongst both staff and guests. You have our undivided attention. Many food writers have expressed enthusiasm for The French Horn. The late, great AA Gill praised the sole: "Bliss, a triumph, perfect, top hole".
Our Head Chef, Josiane Diaga has cooked in many of the best Michelin-starred restaurants in London (including The Waldorf) and in France (The Negresco in Nice); and prior to joining us was Head Chef at a restaurant in America. Josiane has the French passion for using the best seasonal produce. She always cooks with the diner in mind, never losing sight of their enjoyment.
A stay at The French Horn has long been the natural response to the quality of our wine cellar. Our 12 individual rooms include Standard Rooms, Standard Rooms with a View, and Junior Suites. Accommodation at The French Horn is either above reception and the restaurant or we can arrange a stay in the close by Furleigh Cottages B&B.
B&B is in the 19c Furleigh Cottages in their own riverside grounds, thirty seconds walk from our front door. The bedrooms and sitting areas have lovely views of the river and gardens, with comfortable sofas and chairs from which to admire them. The Suites bathrooms have separate bath and shower, and the rooms have showers over the baths.
Reviews (7)
Mark Deacon Md
Dec 20, 2021
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Julia Bishop
Dec 08, 2021
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Tish Khan
Nov 24, 2021
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This place was a treat for my family and myself from 2007-2011. We thoroughly enjoyed sitting in the waiting room near the fire pit, watching the ducks roast. It was quite special. I came back last summer, post-covid with my husband (his first time) raving about the duck. Due to covid, they no longer roasted the duck by the fireplace (fair enough!) and moved to an oven instead. I was assured that it was still just as good! Needless to say it wasn't. It was dry and everything was bland. It missed the sweet smokey taste of being cooked by a real wood fire. The only saving grace was the view. It was
Alex Roberts
Sep 12, 2021
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Outdated.
The hospitality was very good and what I expect from a "Michelin" restaurant.
The food was bland and boring. Save yourself £200 and get a table for two at your local Nandos.
The decor was outdated. Sat next to a lovely lamp with cobwebs and a spider lurking. The mirror next to us had what looked like syrup trickling down it.
The hospitality was very good and what I expect from a "Michelin" restaurant.
The food was bland and boring. Save yourself £200 and get a table for two at your local Nandos.
The decor was outdated. Sat next to a lovely lamp with cobwebs and a spider lurking. The mirror next to us had what looked like syrup trickling down it.
Adrian Donlan
Aug 17, 2021
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Fabulous food and service. Great location on the river, staff were impeccable. Food was great, I'm diabetic and so often struggle with the added sugar in restaurant food but the food at the French Horn was just fantastic, well prepared and fresh with no additional sugar. I was hoping that my 10 year old daughter wouldn't eat her entire rack of lamb so I could finish it but it was so nice she polished it off.
Gary Sewell
Jun 14, 2021
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Anastasis Pavlou
Aug 10, 2020
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They have a mobile coffee shop van parked in the adjacent parking lot on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Serving from about 7.30 am. All I can say is that this is a godsend in the morning. Great coffee, fantastic hot chocolate and a substantial range of pastries and really fresh rolls. So far the olive bread roll with cream cheese and salmon is just sublime. There is a comfortable feel about this little venue even down to the doggy treats and water bowl. The only improvement would be to open the rest of the week!
