The Waterside Inn (Bray)

A lovely treat to be able to come here during the summer and was superb to enjoy everything on the terrace and inside with the frontage doors open on this occasion.  The tasting menu on this occasion was another lovely show, but yet again, only so so on the richter-happy scale.  The meal was clean-cut, well presented and entirely pleasing but I have had better tasting menus at many 1 Michelin starred venues and so, for the price, one is basically paying for the brand and alluring view / venue here.  I don’t think I need to hurry to return but it would be nice to take the future Mrs B here when the time comes – that is pretty much the sort of venue it is.

Food Grade: 77%

A treat to do something different by going with Mum & Dad for a Christmas meal as was just myself and the folks on this year.  The environment was bubbly and all done with a lovely atmosphere – difficult to tell whether the waiters were actually drinking more than the guests at one stage however a highly pleasant affair.  If I had to choose between Le Manoir and the Waterside Inn for a Christmas meal, it woud be the former in an absolute heartbeat.  It was good to have done it, but it confirmed that The Waterside Inn is best left for in-year occasions rather than Christmas.

Food Grade: 73%

As a celebration for completing a lengthy and somewhat painful training course, this Easter lunch allowed a wonderful afternoon away from everything in the hands of true experts and an utterly classic menu.  The roasted foie gras with orange was a meal in itself and the cod with tarragon-creamed sauce was superb.  The ginger and aromatic lobster was a surprise and a pleasant one and it was also marvellous to have wonderful lamb (cut at the table) with the minted hollandaise sauce as a French classic that does not appear very often.

My only negative with the Waterside is that although the food was undeniably well done and the dessert in particular was aesthetically high, one couldn’t help feel there was something actually unremarkable about it other than the plain, good cooking, the wonderful view and being in the hands of Diego (head floor manager) who simply cannot fail to make you feel welcome – you are in exceptionally good hands with this skilled operator.  However, it was a lovely experience; one however which I simply feel an element of legacy awarding from the Michelin guide as an inception favourite.  I would definitely recommend a visit and for almost any occasion.

Food Grade: 83%