This is London Magazine June Edition 2026 - Flipbook - Page 27
THE THIRD MONKEY
Old English market towns provide the
perfect backdrop for those moments
when we feel like escaping the world.
They hark back to days gone by when we
felt somewhat more optimistic. When life
was simpler and possibly the joy more
real. Farnham ticks all those boxes.
Almost exactly an hour from London by
train, this historic, Georgian town is
celebrated as England's first designated
World Craft Town. So rich is the town's
craft-based community that a trip out for
the day is well worth it.
Let's talk about food. Walking into
The Third Monkey in central Farnham
reminded me of some of the more
interesting haunts in New York. A careful
blend of warm and welcoming, with a
twist of chic. The staff were friendly and
attentive; so much so that my date for
the evening, in the shape of my 9-yearold daughter, made a point of
commenting on this as we left. ‘They're
so lovely.’ were her exact words.
Adam Wisher is a two-time finalist in
the National Chef of the Year contest,
and it shows. The food is a moment to
remember; here's what we opted for:
The bread & whipped butter 'nibbles',
we ordered as an amuse-bouche. A
Japanese-style loaf that has the same
rewarding return as a good panettone.
Served warm; a sweet glaze on the
outside, the light and fluffy bread has a
gentle saltiness. How good this would
be with a ripe brie or our favourite
apricot jam. We asked the waiter to take
it away before it spoiled the following
courses.
Starters were the burrata for my
daughter; I went for the duck parfait. I
don’t have enough space to share what I
would like to say but take it from me,
these were as good as I’ve tasted. The
presentation was creative but tidy; highend but real. Full of flavours that echoed
off one another in unfussy concert. Firstclass food.
I don’t believe I’ve ever eaten chicken
as succulent and tender as the portion
served to my daughter. My monkfish,
equally as good. Good isn’t the right
word; it was wonderful. The curry sauce
delivering the perfect moment when the
super-crispy beef-dripping chips were
brought in to complete the experience.
Fish & chips with curry sauce. What’s
not to like?
I chose a glass of rosé; a Bern
Inspiration, Côtes de Provence, 2025.
No complaints.
What didn’t I like? Not much. We
were early diners; as such, the music felt
a little loud and intrusive, but that effect
settled as the tables filled and ambient
noise rose.
Adding this experience into the mix, a
trip out to Farnham is a sure winner.
James Booth
T H I S I S L O N D O N M A G A Z I N E • T H I S I S L O N D O N O N L I N E • w w w. t i l . c o m • @ t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g
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