RESTAURANTS

432  BistroChauvin
01628 822010
Royal Oak, Knowl Hill
Take the A4 out of Reading and then right at the church to find this French country bistro. Franck Chauvin, your host and head chef, hails from Angers in the Loire. Expect escargots, grenouilles and maybe boudin noir plus a good wine list; also real ales from the Loddon Brewery, near Reading. This is a great place for parties just in case you are getting married or perhaps a little older!

433  LSQ2
0118  987 3702
220 South Oak Way, Lime Square, Green Park, Reading
reading@lsq2.co.uk                 
 http://www.lsq2.co.uk          
This award-winning, Michelin-recommended brasserie is easily accessible from the whole Reading area, they are off the A33 behind the Madejski Stadium, adjacent to the wind turbine. Plenty of parking by this ultra-modern, glass-fronted bar and brasserie in its waterfront setting on Green Park. Now in its fourth year, LSQ2 is well worth seeking out for uncomplicated but exceptional food based on the freshest, finest-quality produce, sourced locally if possible, coupled with informal and relaxed service. Wines start at £13.50. Visit the website to see a map, and the menu with its worldwide influences. Wheelchair access and WC.

434  London Street Brasserie
0118  950 5036
Riverside Oracle, 2–4 London Street, Reading
http://www.londonstbrasserie.co.uk
This chic contemporary brasserie with its riverside setting has quite a following locally – deservedly so. The two-course lunch is just £13.50 and is available 12–7pm, otherwise you select from a long list of globally inspired dishes and specials complemented with a decent collection of wine from £13.95. Open until 11pm Mon–Sat and until 10.30 on Sun. Mentioned in all the main foodie guides. 70 seater with 20 outside on the terrace; wheelchair access (small step) and WC.

435  Kei’s
0118  926 3133
Maiden Place, Kilnsea Drive, Lower Earley
A loud cheer has been heard locally since Steve Sung took back the reins at Kei’s; he has brought back some of the old staff too. There is a much wider menu than ever before and the liveliest atmosphere for miles around. Easy parking around the back, it’s open seven days a week and is child-friendly. The publishers ate here with friends before Christmas and can confirm that Kei’s is back on form serving the very best Chinese food for miles around.

436  Buratta's at the Royal Oak
0118 934 5190
Ruscombe Lane, Twyford                   
http://www.burattas.co.uk
Excellent food, a warm welcome, an excellent wine list (a good selection available by the glass – two sizes), London Pride and Youngs Bitter – what more can you want? Restaurant and conservatory, plenty of snug corners and modern art on terracotta walls. In the garden there are picnic sets and a barbecue area. Booking essential unless you just want a drink and light snack. Wheelchair access and WC.

437  Crooked Billet
01491 681048
Newlands Lane, Stoke Row RG9 5PU
http://www.thecrookedbillet.co.uk
Delightful location lost in the heart of the South Oxfordshire Chilterns, this rambling 17th-century pub is under the same ownership as London Street Brasserie, so you can be sure of high standards; the various comments in the Foodie guides underwrite our sentiments. You'll take a while to decide as the menu is long with interesting coalitions. Flagstone floors, scrubbed pine tables and enthusiastic young staff complete the package. Wheelchair access.

438  The Green Man                 
0118  934 2599
Hinton Road, Hurst     
 http://www.thegreenman.uk.com
This is a reliably good, bustling and friendly country pub that serves traditional English and Mediterranean dishes at reasonable prices with fresh fish featuring on the interesting specials boards. With a sheltered, heated terrace, large garden looking out to open fields and cosy winter fires, The Green Man has all-year round appeal. Wheelchair access and WC. Booking advised.

439  Green Willows (at the Shoulder of Mutton)
0118  947 3908
Playhatch, nr Sonning
http://www.the-shoulder-playhatch.co.uk/
Alan and Wendy Oxlade’s well-established pub was the only one to be recognised and highly commended at the Pride of Reading 2007 awards. As a member of the Mutton Renaissance Club, Alan, who has created many successful dishes based around mutton, was asked to cook on BBC1’s The One Show. Service here is warm and friendly and there is some mouth-watering, home-cooked food on offer with wine starting at £13 and Greene King for those who prefer beer. Recently refurbished, the conservatory holds up to 30 for seated party bookings and the pub has also had a face lift so that it can accommodate a further 25. The Sunday Carvery is hugely popular and booking a table any day is certainly advised. Closed Sun evening.

440  Miah’s Garden of Gulab
0118  966 7979
130–134 Wokingham Road, Reading
Miah’s Spencers Wood              0118  988 8394
Tankerton House, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood
Miah’s of Pangbourne               0118  984 3731
26 Reading, Road, Pangbourne
http://www.miahs.co.uk
Miah’s is a class act and way ahead of most Indian restaurants in the Thames Valley. The Wokingham Road restaurant has benefited from an ultra-modern make-over and the Pangbourne restaurant has also been upgraded. All three restaurants represent exceptional value for the area and you can choose between the traditional menu and a wonderful contemporary menu where the kitchen displays real innovation. One of the top 100 restaurants in the British Curry Award 2007 and one of the top 10 in the South East of England; well deserved in the opinion of the publishers. Wheelchair access and disabled WCs.

441  Pepe Sale
0118  959 7700
3 Queens Walk, Reading
a.sale@pepesale.co.uk                           http://www.pepesale.co.uk
In the heart of Reading, this award-winning Sardinian/Italian restaurant is next to the Broad Street Mall, Renaissance Hotel and Hexagon theatre. Pepe Sale offers a delicious, Sardinian-influenced à la carte menu, with many ingredients – like the Pane Carasatu bread – especially imported. Both the food and the extensive wine list, which offers customers the chance to sample the best wines Sardinia and Italy have to offer (from £13.50), can be seen on their excellent website. There’s also a special set lunch and pre-theatre menu plus daily specials on the board. Parties are a speciality – from 9 to 90 people! – and there is a set menu available for groups. All this plus a warm welcome and attentive service from the friendly staff make Pepe Sale the perfect place for any occasion.

442  Forbury's Restaurant & Bar
0118  957 4044
Fax: 0118 956 9191
1 Forbury Square, The Forbury, Reading, RG1 3BB
forburys@btconnect.com                      
http://www.forburys.com
This chic yet informal French restaurant has received acclaim in the various food guides and was voted in the Top 10 best French restaurants in the South of England by The Sunday Times. The French proprietor, Xavier Le-Bellago, has worked alongside some of the top names in the business. This is a stylish glass-fronted restaurant in showpiece Forbury Square, complete with summer terrace providing classic French cuisine with a modern approach. The good value market menu is available for lunch and dinner Mon–Sat; plus there is an award-winning à la carte menu and extensive wine list. Closed Sun. Secure parking if you book (evenings only) is a big plus for downtown Reading.  A private dining room is available for up to 16 people. Wheelchair friendly.