The Waterside Inn

As i said in the FAT DUCK review...TFD let us down because of ?????? power cut or lost of willing power, who know's and will, even want to know!

My birthday diner been saved by The Waterside Inn private dining room which been made (created) to accommodate just few of lucky peoples who have been let down by SCIENCE!

Thank you so so much, and we will be back for real next time in your restaurant with no expectation of fusion......
Comment on this reader review

Stephen - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, December 06, 2010

As one of the Waterside Inn's most devoted diners, i was more than delighted to read of such appreciation and accuracy in the previous reviewer's comments. I could not have put the Waterside Inn experience into better words myself.

It is this great experience which defines the Waterside from any other place i have ever come to visit. Yes the food is of a high standard and very capable of arousing the palate, but more importantly, it is the outstanding quality of service and the experience one gets that will entice customers to return time and time again. All of which is managed and overseen by the legendary Diego. A hero in my eyes, who has nurtured and guided his staff to such a level of excellence, that they have been able to maintain their three michelin stars for 25 years. A fine achievement that only the very greatest of restaurateurs can achieve. The Waterside Inn is Diego's success.
Comment on this reader review

9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Well, where do i begin in singing my praises and expressing my enthusiasm for the outstanding and unforgettable place that is The Waterside Inn...

My favourite place to dine for the past 20 years for its ever delectable menu, but even more so, for its impeccable service and the almost magical air of enchantment that it creates in the dining room. Each time i return i feel as though i'm part of some artistic theatre, some performance; and so, it is the manager Diego and his exceptional team of staff that i have to thank for this and whom have lured me back to this little gem on the Thames time and time again.

Therefore, i was almost completely incensed when I read the rather ignorant and petty review left on Sunday 27th June. I acknowledge the fact that it had been specified that the wife did not wish to have the foie gras from the menu and was, unfortunately, served with the dish…accidentally, of course. The reviewer went on to describe that they were encouraged to eat the foie gras and that the “wife was forced to watch”. Forced to watch, really? Surely if the reviewer really cared for their wife’s food preferences then perhaps they would have chosen to miss out the foie gras and perhaps opt for something else…? But then again, maybe that’s just me being logical and adult about the situation.

I find it interesting that this was the only “major” whinge that the reviewer makes regarding service, and yet somehow something that is in fact so trivial is worthy of grading the restaurant with a 3 for service. In my 20 years of experience, this restaurant’s prize-winning characteristic has always been its attention to detail. Diego works the room like no other and has been doing so since my first ever visit. He truly is at the top of his game and as are all his staff. Each time I’d sip from my water glass it would remain full; the staff are so efficient I wouldn’t even recall them filling it up. These are the exceptional standards that a 3 Michelin star restaurant should deliver, and after having visited all those in the UK and many abroad, none have yet lived-up to the performance of the Waterside Inn.

I do regret that this particular couple did not have the best of experiences at the Waterside, as I always do and always have done. However, I take pity on the fact that they obviously do not understand or appreciate the art of great culinary service. Blinded by their own trivialities, I would suggest that they actually open their eyes every now and again to observe what is going on around them in the restaurant, as opposed to what sits right in front of them on their plate.
Comment on this reader review

HughT - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, June 29, 2010

It was our anniversary and we decided to treat ourselves to 4 of England's finest restaurants - Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley, Fat Duck and Waterside Inn at Bray and finally Le Manoir Aux Quat Saison. All had their high points and were fundamentally different from one another. Yet the only one which disappointed was the Waterside Inn. From what I understand, Three Michelin stars is about consistently providing outstanding food and service. Neither of which was present at our visit when we chose 'LE MENU EXCEPTIONNEL'.

Despite being told twice over the phone and again once we had arrived, my pregnant wife was still served a large portion of foie gras as her first course which she could not eat. Now I understand that we can make mistakes, but how this was dealt with was appalling. They took her plate away and encouraged me to eat my foie gras and my wife was forced to watch me as I hurriedly ate my dish. My second course was wonderful and bad at the same time. A lovely crab salad with the most wonderfully seasoned prawn I have ever eaten. However my wife's prawn was horrendously overseasoned which ruined this course for both of us. The rose sorbet was overpowering and not a palate cleanser in my mind. However the meal progressed and was saved by the lamb being beautiful and the raspberry souffle being utterly divine - the most amazing I've ever had.

Alain also greeted each table and discovered that we were celebrating our wedding anniversary and it was very nice to receive a celebratory course. He clearly cares about his restaurant and it disappointed to have a less than perfect experience. With absolute objectivity considering the other restaurants which we visited, we can say this restaurant does not deserve 3 Michelin Stars. One would suffice. It is a beautiful location and the staff are lovely, although the number per diner is certainly less than the other restaurants which we visited. Overall the worst of the great restaurants which we visited.
Comment on this reader review

lucbz
6 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 5
Sunday, June 27, 2010