La Bodegas Tapas, Windsor
Discussion
Been here a number of times, really liked the food and wine there..... BUT.... they've changed the menu.... 
We don't like the new menu, no meatballs !! Can you believe it ???? A Tapas restaurant with no meatballs !!! Found it really difficult to choose dishes we thought we would like, and the dishes we did order were too salty and the service was poor.
Just a heads up for locals...
We don't think we will be going again, sadly.
We don't like the new menu, no meatballs !! Can you believe it ???? A Tapas restaurant with no meatballs !!! Found it really difficult to choose dishes we thought we would like, and the dishes we did order were too salty and the service was poor.
Just a heads up for locals...
We don't think we will be going again, sadly.
I have been here, and to their elder sister restaurant in Henley a few times over the years.
I really want to love these two places - I love a good Spanish bar/restaurant! The Henley branch is a nice place to be, atmospheric, wine selection is good, it's a pleaseant way to pass the time munching a few spanish based nibbles. Buc check your bill carefully!
The setup is essentially the same in Windsor, but the decor doesn't quite do it for me. It seems like the formula for trad/modern went a bit wrong somewhere. Hard noisy floors, hard wooden furniture and lots of glass and higher ceilings removes the more intimate cosy atmosphere of the Henley branch.
My biggest issue though is I find the whole experience in both places bad value, I've only ever eaten tapas there, not from the main a-la-carte menu (which may well be their speciality). The tapas themselves aren't that bad (my favourite is the jamon on music paper bread - but they had sliced jalapenos not long yellow chillis the last time which I hope is not a permanent change). But you don't get huge portions for the price, especially if there is a group of you and they are not generally original or fresh (maybe they are now with this albondigas-free menu).
The waiting staff walk around topping up your glass from the wine bottle which winds me up as this is an intrusion and a patronising trick to try and make you drink and spend more, but then the waiting staff don't seem to be around when you want them for something. Worst of all, there have been several times when I've been, when a Service Charge has been added twice or dishes you haven't had are on the bill.
This has happened a few times to make me feel it's not an accident. A real turn-off for me.
I really want to love these two places - I love a good Spanish bar/restaurant! The Henley branch is a nice place to be, atmospheric, wine selection is good, it's a pleaseant way to pass the time munching a few spanish based nibbles. Buc check your bill carefully!
The setup is essentially the same in Windsor, but the decor doesn't quite do it for me. It seems like the formula for trad/modern went a bit wrong somewhere. Hard noisy floors, hard wooden furniture and lots of glass and higher ceilings removes the more intimate cosy atmosphere of the Henley branch.
My biggest issue though is I find the whole experience in both places bad value, I've only ever eaten tapas there, not from the main a-la-carte menu (which may well be their speciality). The tapas themselves aren't that bad (my favourite is the jamon on music paper bread - but they had sliced jalapenos not long yellow chillis the last time which I hope is not a permanent change). But you don't get huge portions for the price, especially if there is a group of you and they are not generally original or fresh (maybe they are now with this albondigas-free menu).
The waiting staff walk around topping up your glass from the wine bottle which winds me up as this is an intrusion and a patronising trick to try and make you drink and spend more, but then the waiting staff don't seem to be around when you want them for something. Worst of all, there have been several times when I've been, when a Service Charge has been added twice or dishes you haven't had are on the bill.
This has happened a few times to make me feel it's not an accident. A real turn-off for me.
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