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The Waterside Inn has been around since 1972, held three Michelin stars for half that time and is now considered something of a national institution – delivering a luxury experience with consummate expertise and ‘genuine charm’, thanks to legions of demur staff who ‘look like film stars’. The enchanting riverbank setting is as English as a ‘Miss Marple film set’, although the sumptuously furnished, cosseting dining room provides a backdrop for Alain Roux’s subtly inventive take on classic French haute cuisine. A dish of pike quenelles with langoustine tails is precision cooking of the highest order, while cocotte of oxtail and beef cheek braised in Beaujolais with button onions, mushrooms and smoked bacon is all deep flavours and glossy saucing. Desserts crown it all with, say, an incredible ‘teardrop’ of milk chocolate mousse filled with caramel, mango and passion fruit. The wine list delves deep into lexicon of French oenology and prices are frightening – even so, it’s worth smashing the piggy bank because this is ‘le restaurant exceptionnel’.

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Sybaricious :: Waterside Inn, Bray
An hour on the train and a short cab hop from the station and we were deposited by the river on what has been the only sunny Saturday so far this year. We were led straight through to our table and deposited with a nice view of the river but in the corner next to the fire escape (have they heard something about me?). Its not going to come as a surprise to anyone to say that this place is very, very French. Its almost as though someone has cloned a small army of clean cut, long-white-apron wearing, terribly polite Frenchmen and deposited them in the middle of rural Berkshire...
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Edesia Is Hungry - Food of the Gods :: The Waterside Inn
I realised the service was going to be something special, as the door was opened before I could reach for the handle, with one of the staff being positioned behind to listen for footsteps down the stairs. We were warmly greeted, and chose to sit in the lounge to read the menu's and have our champagne and canapes. The Menu Exceptionnel was brought to me, and the vegetarian menu for my wife, along with 2 glasses of their signature champagne. The absolutely charming Diego Masciaga introduced himself and asked...
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theboywhoatetheworld :: The Waterside Inn, Bray: Timeless perfection
3 Michelin Stars. 27 years consecutively and counting. If there was a Big Daddy of Michelin star restaurants in the UK, this would be the greatest grandfather of them all. Founded by Michel and Albert Roux in 1972, The Waterside Inn has taken French haute cuisine in Britain to heights never seen outside of the continent. Michel’s more than capable son Alain has since taken over the reigns here, but judging from our recent visit, standards remain as high as ever. The setting could not be more picturesque. Located right on the banks of the River Thames in Bray, long before this little Berkshire village became the gastro-hotspot it is today, the serene waters and greenery of the surrounding woodland provided the most stunning of backdrops for what was easily one of the best dining experiences we’ve had all year...
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samphire and salsify :: The Waterside Inn
The Waterside Inn is one of only four restaurants in England to hold three Michelin stars (and has done for over 25 years) and resides in the rather charming village of Bray – which is also home to The Fat Duck. We decided to visit for my gentleman companion’s birthday and to be honest – we were a little apprehensive. Our prior experiences of two Roux family restaurants had been expensive and rocky. At Le Gavroche the bill was astronomic and the food was totally underwhelming. The Roux at Parliament Square set lunch was dismal – however the pricey a la carte was perfect. As we pulled in next to the entrance, only ten minutes late after a brief hold up on the M4, a smartly dressed gentleman kindly told me to leave my car there and he’d park it for me – what a lovely touch. It was then suggested that we have a drink on the terrace before our lunch and we gladly agreed. As we walked through the restaurant the millions (and there were millions) of staff each smiled and said hello – I’ve never been wished an enjoyable lunch by so many people...
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Epipponimus :: The Waterside Inn. Alain Roux
This was my second visit to the temple of Roux. I went last year in the summer and it was my meal of the year. Could this one be better?...
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