Waterside Inn

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Discussion

Shaoxter

Original Poster:

4,048 posts

123 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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What's the verdict and is it worth a 2 hour round trip to get there?

What's it like compared to Michelin starred restaurants in London?

ascayman

12,732 posts

215 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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I'm fortunate enough to have eaten at all the 3 star restaurant's in the country and food wise this is by far the best.

Shaoxter

Original Poster:

4,048 posts

123 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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Good to know smile Been to the two in London, not massively impressed by the food but service and atmosphere was just amazing. Would much rather pay for spectacular food than service though!

arfur

3,871 posts

213 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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Waterside is very nice ...

My current fave however is this www.joelrobuchon.co.uk

Although they seem to have dropped from 2 to 1 star this year

Still amazing every time

Bit of a Unit

6,661 posts

196 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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It is very very good. Staying there means the trip is well worth it.

itannum990

275 posts

114 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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It's amazing. Be prepared for the fine wine side of the (comprehensive) wine list, but plenty of fantastic bottles for those of us who are not russian oligarchs.
Been about 4 times, stayed there the last time, well worth it.

thefrog

341 posts

218 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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I would also recommend it, been there many times, tried a few others and this is the one we go back to.
Although the Gavroche is neck and neck, just a bit further to travel to for us.

itannum990

275 posts

114 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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I found gavroche quite stuffy in comparison, felt I had to wear a jacket thoroughout, which I despise, although the food was incredible. That soufle.. me and wife still talk about it 4 years later!

hajaba123

1,302 posts

174 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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I've also been to all of the 3 stars in the UK. Waterside is fantastic, amazing food and service. Looks a dump from the outside.

It's certainly worth the trip in my view.

Shaoxter

Original Poster:

4,048 posts

123 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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Thanks guys, booked! thumbup

lauda

3,445 posts

206 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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hajaba123 said:
I've also been to all of the 3 stars in the UK. Waterside is fantastic, amazing food and service. Looks a dump from the outside.

It's certainly worth the trip in my view.
Same here. The food at the other 3 star places is arguably better (although probably not at Alain Ducasse) but the experience at the Waterside Inn is second to none. It's quite traditional and very French but it just hits all the right notes as far as I'm concerned.

The Moose

22,820 posts

208 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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Eaten there for years. Always excellent. In the summer their fruit soufflés are epic!

Bullett

10,873 posts

183 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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Exceptional, probably my favourite 3 star place.

Shaoxter

Original Poster:

4,048 posts

123 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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Went there yesterday and had the tasting menu, the starters and desserts were absolutely incredible. That champagne soup with foie gras is probably the best starter I've ever had, and I have no idea how they made that souffle so light and airy.

However the fish and duck main course were a let down. Especially the duck - the whole carving and presentation was nice (although nothing I haven't seen before in Beijing), but it was actually quite dry and bland.

Service was obviously exceptional, they even appreciated my fast and furious spec MR2 Turbo and had a nice chat about it smile

zygalski

7,759 posts

144 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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My review from 2010:

We visited this gastronomic shrine a few days ago.
The restaurant is extremely pretty & has a rather eclectic collection of bits & pieces scattered around, but the walk through from the reception/bar to the restaurant with the world's biggest patio & view out to the Thames is a moment to savour...
The restaurant itself looks like a throw-back to 1978. The crockery in particular made us both chuckle.

After getting a selection of canapés, we ate off the gloriously over-priced a la carte dinner menu.
To start I had the (world's largest!) scallops with einkorn risotto & sliced truffles which was one of the very best single courses I have ever eaten. My partner chose the rather restrained-sounding poached eggs in a pastry case with asparagus & mousseline sauce which she said was to die for.
Both our mains (at the 3* level & price) we thought a little disappointing. My veal was a good dish - don't get me wrong - but I'll hardly remember it in a few year's time.
My partner thought exactly the same about her lamb with a rather under-flavoured "gateau" of moussaka.
The puds though, were absolutely knock-out.
I chose the almond shortbread biscuit with blueberry mousse & sweetened milk ice cream & this was perfectly judged in my opinion. Palate cleansing, not too sweet & technically 100%.
My partner chose the selection of desserts which she loved apart from the pistachio brulee which I have to say I tried & really liked.]
Service throughout harked back to a bygone era.
A team would bring the trays from the kitchen to be put on a service table by another waiter, then yet another would materialise to bring the dish to the table!
There were about 40 of us dining there on Thursday with about 20 or so waiters.
Alain Roux came to speak to all the diners at about 21:30 for a good 45 minutes & this was a lovely touch.

All in all, I'd say go once for the experience & the history, expect the odd 3 star dish & the odd slight disappointment, but make sure you have a strong head for the bill at the end which, compared to other quality restaurants, does seem to venture awfully close to fleecing territory.
The bill for 2 of us having 3 course a la carte (and we were quite restrained with the wine & had no extras) was £350

Shaoxter

Original Poster:

4,048 posts

123 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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Nice review, that reminds me - the portions on the tasting menu were massive, bigger than any other tasting menu I can remember.

But how can you go to these places, order a la carte and not have a taste of your partner's dish??

prand

5,910 posts

195 months

Thursday 16th October 2014
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I love going here, aand I'm lucky to live very close. They really look after you (of course you pay for it), but it's always a fun & quality experience with some great food & wine. The set lunch with is good value, the A La carte is fairly eye watering. It's fairly small and low key compared to some of the big London dining rooms, but I like it just as it is.

It might just be me, but I really just love going to places where the waiting staff acknowledge you as you walk about, as if you are a special guest and they really want to make sure you have a good time. It turns the whole eating experience into something special beyond just the good food. The food of course is usually delicious and inspirational. I know what the poster above says about the duck, sometimes I have had a meat dish which is fairly plain and bland, so I usually try to have something intricate sounding which shows the skills of the chefs. A carrot soup with a crabmeat ravioli in the centre seems to stick in my mind as being exceptional.

I really enjoy going there, especially in the summer where you can take your aperitif on the terrace by the river, pick your menu choices and discuss wine with the waiters while nibbling on the hors d'oeuvres before going your table inside for the main event. Then after lunch taking coffee and other drinks outside again. No rush, nothing too much trouble. A great place for a celebration lunch or dinner.

Interestingly, although I've been to the Fat Duck round the corner once, it's here I like to return. It seems more friendly and relaxed, plus you're not stuck with the set menu like in the Fat Duck which I feel, so once experienced, the surprise is lost.

The best time we went there my wife and I took our best man and maid of honour and their partners out to lunch on our anniversary where much wine and champagne was consumed. We then thought it would be a great idea after our meal to take out their boat (self drive) for a ride. "No problem at all sir!" (there is a charge for boat hire of course), and off we went with another bottle of champagne for a trip up to Boulter's Lock and back. the concerned waiter was relieved that we did in fact return in one piece and manage not to crash into the dock. We reckoned it would be one of the most extravagant (albeit slow in their little electric boat) ways of doing a runner from a restaurant!

That reminds me, it's been far too long since I was last there, must think of a good reason for going again...




Edited by prand on Thursday 16th October 13:39

Crombers

374 posts

190 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
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We live next door to the Waterside Inn and popped in for lunch last month where we enjoyed what must be the most attentive service we have ever experienced.

I had the 3 course lunch menu which I thought was good value at £62, although my vegetarian other half didn't seem to benefit from any fixed menu leaving a total bill of circa £350 in recognition of her delightfully prepared vegetables. In hindsight I would rather have gone for dinner at that price bracket.

We were lucky enough to have picked a beautiful day so we sat outside by the river for a drink or two. Much to our entertainment a young couple had decided to take the boat out for a sail. The young chap struggled to get going but eventually got the hang of it which is more than can be said for his lady friend who on the return journey ploughed the highly polished vessel into the jetty. You can still see the crease on the bow!

Overall a very enjoyable experience.


Mousem40

1,667 posts

216 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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ascayman said:
I'm fortunate enough to have eaten at all the 3 star restaurant's in the country and food wise this is by far the best.
Better than the Fat Duck? Is there a better desert (in this country) than the BFG? I've been there 3 times just to have the BFG paired with the Tokaji - sublime.

IMO the Waterside Inn is not even in the same league (in fact none of the other 3 starred restaurants are and I've tried them all except Ducasse)

ascayman

12,732 posts

215 months

Monday 24th November 2014
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Mousem40 said:
Better than the Fat Duck? Is there a better desert (in this country) than the BFG? I've been there 3 times just to have the BFG paired with the Tokaji - sublime.

IMO the Waterside Inn is not even in the same league (in fact none of the other 3 starred restaurants are and I've tried them all except Ducasse)
Yeah the food at the WI is far better imo, the Fat duck is great but its all about the occasion and various gimmicks, for actual food the WI wins hands down for me.

Don't even bother with Ducasse its a huge let down.