The Waterside Inn

Food	Service	Atmosphere	Value
9	10	10	9

Traditional exquisite French cuisine masterfully recreated on the English riverside. Michel and Alain Roux have beautifully reproduced the entire French dining experience from terrific food to a large wine cellar ideal for choosing the perfect wine to complement the perfect meal.

October 2004

This is truly a wonderful restaurant. The food is exquisite and the service beyond compare, staff go out of their way to make everyone feel very welcome. We were even treated to a tour of the kitchens on our first visit and allowed into a few chefs secrets including the cctv which insures that food is served at a point when it will not interrupt the tables conversations. It was the first Michelin stared restaurant we ever visited and after being to many more including Gordon Ramsey’s, The Fat Duck and the Manoir of Quat’ Saison it is still my favourite.

Maria - Friday, May 06, 2005

I was taken here as a surprise for the long weekend in August 2004 and what a surprise. We arrived late afternoon and were shown up to our room (we were fortunate enough to be staying the night). After changing for dinner we made our way downstairs and were welcomed by every single member of the serving staff (how special did we feel!!). We were shown outside to the terrace where we had a glass of champagne as an apertif and enjoyed the view. Whilst we were enjoying the swans and other wildlife by the river we perused the menus and had to make some difficult decisions about what to eat.

In our own good time we were shown to our table for the start of what can only be described as a gastronomic feast. The amuse bouche were amazing - so light and delicate. Our starters were out of this world and I can still remember the buttery taste of the veal which was so beautifully cooked that the knife slipped through it like butter.

Of course a restaurant of this quality has a cheese board of a range which would put a very good delicatessen to shame - what a treat - and just when we thought we didn't have enough room, desserts came which were both light and inventive.

We had drinks in the bar afterwards and Alain Roux came and asked our opinions of the meal including what we liked and didn't. It was a nice touch and one which demonstrates the essence of a good restaurant - soliciting customer feedback and using it to continually improve your restaurant.

The whole evening was an experience that I shall never forget and whilst the food is expensive, you do pay for what you get which is creative recipes and beautiffuly cooked meals as well as attentive but never-overbearing service. You will be treated like royalty.

Tip - if you get the chance make sure that you stay the night as it a luxury that really completes the experience!

JG - Monday, January 31, 2005

On the 23 August 1985, my 40th Birthday, my husband treated me to your exquisite restaurant, where we had food 'to die for' ! It was quite honestly a 'piece of Drama' in every way, right from the very beginning when, arriving in the car park, our car was chauffered away (we were actually quite relieved that we had driven the battered old Range Rover as opposed to the battered minivan - you know, status and all that !!) On arriving in the Restaurant Foyer we were warmly greeted and able to view a selection of the cuisine to come , and on a tray there was a complete picture of The Waterside in aspic ! After we moved into the main restaurant we had wonderful attention from the waiters, and as I said, the most exquisite dinner. I remember eating the most delicious Raspberry souffle and when Michel Roux came to our table to enquire whether we had enjoyed our dinner (as if !!) my husband said it was my birthday whereupon a delicious shortbread filled with stawberries, complete with candle, arrived - what more can a gal ask for !
On departing at one point to the Loo, I was quite amused to find myself escorted there and whilst washing my hands, I dropped the soap, and another lady in the Cloakroom said laughingly ' well, you'd think there'd be someone here to pick it up !' I was even more stunned to find the waiter waiting to take me back to the table afterwards ! How wonderful ! On our final departure our tatty car was waiting outside for us - how did you know which belonged to who ? (Perhaps I shouldn't ask !!) We long to come back to your restaurant one day when we're once again 'rich and famous' ! We're unfortunately casualties of the 1990's Recession - still never mind, I can still taste the wonderful Raspberry Souffle and i did buy the book with the recipe in !

Friday, January 14, 2005