This English restaurant has become an institution for concerned diners for almost four decades and it all started when the two brothers Michel and Albert Roux opened Le Gavroche in London in 1967 and The Waterside Inn in 1972. The two restaurants are today handled by the sons, Albert’s son Michel Roux Junior at Le Gavroche and Michel’s son Alain Roux as the Chef Patron of The Waterside Inn.

The Waterside Inn has managed to keep its top ratings for more than 25 years now and that is impressive and thanks to the fantastic team. A great team led by Chef Patron Alain Roux who worked side by side with his father for nine years before he took over in 2001 and that was also the same year the present Head Chef Fabrice Uhryn started to work at The Waterside Inn. Fabrice started as a Sous Chef and became the Head Chef in 2007. In addition to these talents, The Waterside Inn is blessed with one of the true masters within the hospitality business – Director and General Manager Diego Masciaga who started to work for the two brothers Michel and Albert Roux already in 1983 and has worked his way to the top. For many, Diego Masciaga is synonymous with The Waterside Inn and we agree and are impressed by his phenomenal way of anticipating the guests desires whatever they might be and his responsiveness even before the guests know what they will request.

The modern kitchen in top condition helps the synchronised team of 25 chefs to serve haute cuisine at a blistering pace to the 90 guests in the dining room and to the two private dining rooms as well. There are several classic dishes among the many to choose from and the most lavish tasting menu, Le Menu Exceptionnel, should be ordered if you never have tried the cuisine at The Waterside Inn before. The menu is changed five times per year, but during peak season in the summer you can have dishes like the pan fried scallop and octopus slices with coriander, served on a bed of celery purée, coconut emulsion and tamarind sauce or the signature dish with roasted Challandais duck with a lemon and thyme jus, potato and garlic mousseline.

The country village of Bray is not far from London and close to Heathrow as well and the location of the restaurant just next to the River Thames is perfect so the setting for a wonderful dinner can not be better.

Many of the guests at The Waterside Inn are regulars and they tend to keep a high mood so avoid the weekends if you do not like a loud dining room. The main dining room is often loud and the atmosphere in high season tends to be more of a party so happy smiles everywhere assisted by the 100 percent French wines only from a wine menu of 1,300 different labels.

The Waterside Inn is a must for all gourmets to try at least once and a great place to be at for everyone looking for a splendid night out.

Written by Andy