Mayfair Times – September 2019

56 MAYFAIRTIMES.CO.UK

T R AvEl

F R EnCh

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With three Michelin stars to its

name, The Waterside Inn, just a

stone’s throw from London, is

impossible to fault

words s el m a day

the waterside inn

I

n a world of constant change, it’s

comforting to know that some things stay

the same – particularly in the hospitality

industry, where restaurants come and

go every week. The Waterside Inn is one

of those places that continues to tick along

nicely amid all the chaos that is happening

elsewhere in the world. Just an hour or so

from the centre of London, you’ll find a little

bit of French sophistication in the English

picture-postcard village of Bray in Berkshire.

The setting for this three-Michelin starred

restaurant with just 11 rooms – on the edge

of the river Thames – is simply charming. We

stayed in one of the quaint cottages dotted

around the main building, which was cosy

and comfortable, with its own terrace and

garden leading down to the river – perfect

for relaxing with a drink, while watching the

world go by (mostly ducks, geese and rowing

boats). From May to September, you can even

hire The Waterside Inn’s own boat.

Of course, most people come here for

Roux and his team of chefs. As tasting menus

go, this is pretty reasonably priced at £172

per person inclusive of service and VAT.

At lunch there’s also a lighter option – the

three-course Menu Gastronomique, which

is also incredibly good value at £52 for two

courses or £63.50 for three. The dishes are

decided on the morning depending on market

availability of the freshest ingredients to

show the season at its best.

The service – as you might expect of

a three-Michelin starred restaurant – is

faultless, friendly and unstuffy, which makes

for a relaxed environment. Many people

are here to celebrate – an anniversary or a

birthday – so it’s a happy place. Whatever the

reason of your visit, you’ll come away having

had a truly memorable experience.

Room prices range from £280 to £845

per room per night and are inclusive of

continental breakfast, service and VAT.

waterside-inn.co.uk

the food. Thirty-five years after gaining its

third star – which it has retained ever since

• The Waterside Inn continues to attract
  diners from all over the world. A passion for
  food is part of the Roux family DNA. The
  brothers, Albert and Michel, put fine dining
  on the map when they opened Le Gavroche
  in London back in 1967, followed by The
  Waterside Inn, which Michel opened in 1972.
  Their sons have been running the show for
  many years – Michel Roux Jnr (son of Albert)
  at Le Gavroche in Mayfair’s Upper Brook
  Street and Alain Roux (son of Michel Roux
  Snr) at The Waterside Inn.
  The food at The Waterside Inn is
  unashamedly French as is the extensive
  wine list. The menu is seasonal, classically
  rooted but inventive and beautifully
  presented. Diners can choose from the à la
  carte selection or the Menu Exceptionnel – a
  tasting menu which showcases some of the
  restaurant’s signature dishes as well as the
  ongoing creativity and innovation of Alain

MT Aug19 56 travel waterside.indd 56 30/07/2019 11:40