Restaruant suggestion in Reading?

[pitch3110]

Chaps,

Wifey has booked hotel in Reading for Easter.

I spent a great deal of time down there 20 odd years ago and looking forward to exploring the area and Thames valley once again.

Any recomendations for places to eat would be much appreciated. Needs to be nice and ok with a well behaved 7yo, who has eaten in many nice restaruants.

There use to a a really quaint Italian that use to sit everyone down at the same time. Any ideas and if its still open.

Many thanks

[VerySideways]

Are you looking for walking distance from town centre or five mile radius?

If it's the latter I'd suggest you try the Crown at Playhatch as a good start...

[SVTRick]

Bel & Dragon (owened by PBR Leisure Ltd) by the river Kennett

Looks nice inside or maybe sit outside if the weather is warmer.
Clean around back of house so there is a good sign.
Anyone tried the food ?

[Blues]

London Street Brasserie - it is really, very good, and adjacent to the Oracle centre:
http://www.londonstbrasserie.co.uk/

The Laurent Perrier Rose is very reasonable too

[Lakelord]

Blues said:

London Street Brasserie - it is really, very good, and adjacent to the Oracle centre:
http://www.londonstbrasserie.co.uk/

The Laurent Perrier Rose is very reasonable too

Another vote for the London Street Brasserie but Nino's is good too if you like Italian?
http://www.ninos-restaurants.co.uk/index.htm

p.s. There's always Sweeney & Todd if you want pie? http://www.readingrestaurants.com/sweeney_todd/

[SunsetZed]

SVTRick said:

Bel & Dragon (owened by PBR Leisure Ltd) by the river Kennett

Looks nice inside or maybe sit outside if the weather is warmer.
Clean around back of house so there is a good sign.
Anyone tried the food ?

I have tried the food on a coupel of occassions, it's very good, not sure if it might be too rich for a 7y.o. though?

Lakelord said:

Blues said:

London Street Brasserie - it is really, very good, and adjacent to the Oracle centre:
http://www.londonstbrasserie.co.uk/

The Laurent Perrier Rose is very reasonable too

Another vote for the London Street Brasserie but Nino's is good too if you like Italian?
http://www.ninos-restaurants.co.uk/index.htm

p.s. There's always Sweeney & Todd if you want pie? http://www.readingrestaurants.com/sweeney_todd/

Haven't tried Nino's but London St Brasserie is also very good and you should definitely pop into Sweeney's for a pie if you get time during one of the day's.

[968CSReading]

http://www.dolcevitareading.com/

You cant go wrong here, fantastic food and a good atmosphere. I have been here a few times as have friends.

The new LSQ2 haas opened in town too. Not tried it but the one of greenpark is nice

[zhead]

Blues said:

London Street Brasserie - it is really, very good, and adjacent to the Oracle centre:
http://www.londonstbrasserie.co.uk/

The Laurent Perrier Rose is very reasonable too

+1 for the LSB. Ask for a table near the windows on the top floor.

If it's town centre dining you're after, also look out for:

Chronicles: small, interesting place with reasonable menu and atmosphere
Forbury's: very good but very French and probably not the cuisine for a 7yo (very rich food)
Glo: is good for Eastern fare but rather loud in the evenings (bar too close to the tables for me)
Malmaison: im hearing good things but have a 'thing' about eating in Hotel restaurants. I think John_r and Fast_and_Fatuous ate here though and remember good comments....
LSQ2 in the Oracle: i swear by the place in Green Park for client lunches and have eaten in this one once. Good food and service but felt a little clinical to me.
Cerise at the Forbury Hotel: a fave of mine but I think i'm swayed by the cocktails more than the food

Nino's good for Italian as already said. In that vein, Dolce Vita is ok too. If it's Italian you're after, Il Gusto has always been good to me but I think it has mixed reviews elsewhere.

If in doubt, there's quite a choice:

http://www.readingrestaurants.com/town_centre/

As Pete said above, if you're happy to travel for 10/15 mins in a cab or similar, there is a LOT of good food to be found. Happy munching!

[pitch3110]

Many thanks all for your suggestions.

Funny enough Nino's is where I use to eat back in '87/'88.

I am told we are booked into the Crown Plazza on the river.

many thanks again all, may bump into you.

ta
Pitch

[Puggit]

If you are in the Crown Plaza, then it's easier to pop over the bridge in to Caversham and visit somewhere there, Mya Lacarte being my favourite (I live in Caversham).

http://www.myalacarte.co.uk/

You will need to book, but will not be disappointed!

Other good ones are the Thai (Suwanna) and Greek (Kyrenia) or real Spanish Tapas (Picasso, on the bridge). Nino's have a sister restaurant in Caversham too.

We don't put up with that chain rubbish in Cav

Edited by Puggit on Friday 26th February 16:00

[Puggit]

Oh, and don't get sucked in to the bar on the island opposite - it's really not all that!

[Furryballer]

Def recommend previously mentioned LSQ2, London St Brasserie and Picasso in Caversham but also Forbury's restaurant.

There is a Jamie Oliver Italian opening soon but not sure when.

[psst]

Marie é Monte in Kings walk is the best Italian

LSB is good

The Forbury is the best restaurant overall in my opinion

LSQ2 opposite LSB is also good.

The moderation pub across the road from your hotel is nice (food and beer)

Jules

[Puggit]

psst said:

The moderation pub across the road from your hotel is nice (food and beer)

I've not visited (wrong side of Cav), but I've only heard good things.

[SunsetZed]

Went to the Forbury last week and we were all very disappointed (and hungry) at the end of the meal...

[Furryballer]

SunsetZed said:

Went to the Forbury last week and we were all very disappointed (and hungry) at the end of the meal...

Thats not good. Booked in for our anniversary next week. Not been for a while and was looking forward to it.

[jenpot]

For villages nearby, the Bull Inn, Sonning, is one of my favorite places in the country. Also, the Restuarant at the Elephant, in Pangbourne should be fab, but a bit more gastro trendy, rather than gastro pubby. Personally, I'll stop for a meal at any of the Brakspears pubs for lunch and a pint or 3 of ale. Definatly one of my favorite parts of the country.

[zhead]

For a great pub, you could always try:

Landlady: Jenny Likes,
The Cockwell Inn,
Tillet,
Herts.

[Lanky76]

very good Nelson

[pitch3110]

Lovely weather down here this Easter.
Having fun and myalacarte very nice.

Thai or Chinese tonight. The Thai over the bridge which was recomended looks good, anywhere else chaps worth a look?

Many thanks once again


Pitch