The Waterside Inn

I am an American Francophile with a good knowledge of French cusine and wines. In short, the service at The Waterside was excellent. Tremendous engagement by the staff on course selections and wines. The atmosphere was TERRIFIC! I have been in two and three stars that could use a lesson in table arrangement and staff knowledge! The Waterside is thoughtful in details which, in my view, makes it to the top. If you want tastes which conspire with the meal and the wines, the Waterside is a top choice.

Try the Gazebo with your party!!!!!!!!!
Comment on this reader review

Mel
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Friday, August 31, 2007

My husband and I were treated to dinner and a night at the Waterside Inn by my parents, to celebrate our fourth anniversary. I was concerned that we'd be treated strangely or feel uncomfortable, being considerably younger than most of the visible clientele, but I need not have worried. About anything, as it turned out.

I find deferential service uncomfortable. I was a little concerned too that the service might be patronising somehow, or elitist, or including more forks than I know the purpose of. Every single one of my prejudices/fears were completely groundless. It wasn't familiar, it wasn't scraping, it was... it was almost invisible, and seamless, and never intrusive. We didn't feel crowded but the serving staff were amazing - they had a full room (we were surprised that it was full on a cold night in March), but everyone was given perfect attention. Interestingly there was a table nearby who seemed to want effusive service, and that's what they got. That's truly great service, I think.

I cannot thank the sommelier enough for the perfect wine to go with our choice of food.

The cheese trolley deserves special mention - it's huge and varied, with forty-ish french and english farm cheeses.

We chose from the a la carte menu, but the menu exceptionelle, which the table next to us had, looked like excellent value and included many of the most delicious-looking dishes - the whole party needs to order it, but there are options within it so that, saving the entree, everyone can have a different meal.

The lobster was amazing, I've never had better fish - the salmon with star anise was a revelation - and I didn't know veal could taste like that. All the food was truly exceptional.

There were a couple of 80s-style over-perfumed open-necked-shirt tryhard types, but I can't say the did anything other than add gentle amusement to our experience.

why not the fat duck? Eh. I am not that fond of adventure cuisine. If you want amazing food done incredibly well, then I recommend the waterside inn. From the amuse-bouche to the coffee and petit-fours. everything was impeccable.

And if you're staying the night then you're in for a treat with breakfast - that's what a continental breakfast wants to be when it grows up!
Comment on this reader review

James
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, March 26, 2007

Well, what can I say! Exceptional. I myself come from Hollywood where there are lots of prestigeous restaurants and if The Waterside Inn were to relocate there it would be a total success. This is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to, the service is fantastic as well as the food and atmosphere.

As soon as I entered the restaurant I knew it would be a night I would be spoilt, and wasn't I right!

Me and my husband were shown to the outside pation area overlooking the river with a great smile from the general manager, a fantastic way to start the evening off. He led us to the outside patio where we were able to sit and enjoy a lovely glass of Rose.

The food was absolutly fantastic, I myself had the rabbit which was one of the most tasty dishes I have ever had, full of flavour and my husband had the fillet of seabass served with crayfish tails and tarbais beans.

I would definately reccomend this restaurant to anyone wishing to have a fantastic night with great service served with a smile.
Comment on this reader review

Isabella Rodreguez
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, March 03, 2007

Went to the waterside for a birthday lunch, from the moment we arrived with the car being parked for us to the persisent stepping out the way when you were walking past from the waiters, service was faultless.

We arrived and were seated in the lounge where we were asked what we would like to drink. When the drinks came it was followed by a mouth watering selection of canapes.

When we went into the restaurant we ordered of the menu exceptionel, which started off for me with the most perfectly seasoned cornish hen crab

bisque, my mum had the fois gras with ginger bread and damsons which literally melted in your mouth.

Next i had poached Turbot with a brioche crust, cepes and a red wine sauce which for me was too die for. Mum had a classic lobster with ginger flavoured vegetable juliene, perfectly scented with ginger but not so overpowering it took away from the succulent lobster.

After a palette cleansing sorbet of orange with a twist of campari, we both went for the roasted challandais duck with spices, confit comquats and gnocci. As it was bought whole to are table it was cut with such skill into paper thin slices and eleganly placed onto are plates.

For dessert mum had the most impressive selection of cheeses i had ever seen, probaly about 50 differnt. After explaining to the waitress that she had a particular love of blue cheeses, the waitress gave her an exeptional selection. I had the selection of chocolate treats, bitter chocolate and rasberry tart, ocumare chocolate sorbet and the creamiest white chocolate creme brulee.

A little birdie(my mum) must have rang the restaurant the night before and explained it was my birthday, as after dessert i was presented with a liquor soaked french doughnut with a candle and the most intricatly 'happy 15 birthday' written in chocolate. Its thing like that that makes a restaurant unforgettable, and i sure wont be forgetting my 15th birthday in a hurry.
Comment on this reader review

joe
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, October 21, 2006

I had one of the most fantastic evening of my life here.

Service was faultless, food was impressive!

and Too romantic to be true
Comment on this reader review

Karen
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, September 30, 2006

My partner and I came to this restaurant for my 30th birthday. It was a huge disappointment. My starters- apple veloute with truffle, was too sweet and didn't work. For the 2nd course I had langoustine in a sweet and savoury sauce, the sauce was too sweet and strong and completely overpowered the langoustine.

The milk lamb was very good, though i asked for it medium rare and it arrived well done. I found the service snooty and poor (a couple of times they got the dishes, my partner and i ordered, mixed up).

On the positive, the wine selection was fantastic and went perfect with the meal, but it's not a patch on other 3 star restaurants.
Comment on this reader review

jay
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Friday, September 15, 2006

Our evening can only can be described as perfect, from the very second we arrived with the doorman opening our car doors & parking the car. We were accompanied by the head waiter for an apperatif on the waters edge. This was followed by the most perfectly cooked starter and main course, the portions were on the large side to the point we couldn't eat a dessert. Service was exceptional The meal was then followed by coffee in the lounge, when Alain Roux sat with us for a short while and talked about the restaurant and his family, this just finished a perfect evening off .
Comment on this reader review

Barry Collins (Bedford)
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Thursday, August 31, 2006

Hm. Some strange reviews here. This is The Waterside Inn. One would think that after more than 30 years, people would know what to expect. We came because we wanted a special dinner on our anniversary. We could have gone to the Fat Duck, but lately I have been bored with Adventure Cuisine and wanted classic French done well. I did not inquire about attire and knowlingly wore a jacket. Was it expensive? For us, yes. Were some diners there just to prove they could afford it? Certainly. But I had high expectations and only the worn carpet disappointed. The view was lovely. The service was flawless. I've not had better veal. The cheese trolly was impressive, as was the digestif trolly. Our wine was recommended, decanted, and perfect. They know what they do, and they do it to the highest standard. I'd love to go back.
Comment on this reader review

Dan
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, August 17, 2006

I went to the waterside with very high expectations as it has been named in the top 50 restaurants in the world. The setting was gorgeous and the service was absolutely outstanding. However, the food i found raher disappointing. I struggled to find a Starter and Main course, unusual considering i'm not a fussy eater and love french food. what i did receive was nice but not exciting or delicious and on the whole rather mediocre!
Comment on this reader review

Jane Steele
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Arrived here with high expectations. The staff were freindly on arrival, though would not allow jeans so had to get changed in the car park(its 2006) . The decor internally completely undermines the setting- and the requirement for smart clothing (also,rather annoyed that obvious regulars inside were wearing jeans!) but we were here for the food.

We started with a consomme of shelfish which was, well, ok, followed by the lamb and chargrilled veg. The lamb didnt carry any real flavour and the dish as a whole was very average.we then opted for a dessert of pastachio brulee which was superb,im releived to say.

The wine list was grand and overpriced as usual, something you have to get used to, and the staff were efficient as you would expect.

In all im afraid our overall view is that this retuarant has three stars on reputation but has not moved forward and no longer can compete with similar 1/2 star restuarants we have eaten at. verdict dissapointing.
Comment on this reader review

Mr.S.M.S
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Saturday, July 15, 2006