Eating al fresco in Berkshire
Alice Cairns gets her teeth firmly into the English summer
What could be nicer than a delicious dinner served outside on a warm summer’s evening? Work on that tan, sip on a cold drink and nibble on freshly made, locally sourced treats. Read on for our round-up of the best local restaurants offering sun-soaked summer dining...
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The Oxford Blue
A country pub dating back to the 1800s, The Oxford Blue in Old Windsor is the perfect summer dining spot. Not only does it offer outdoor seating with countryside views, but it also has its own herb garden through which diners are welcome to stroll, taking a look at the herbs and flowers soon to garnish their dinners – think courgette flowers, dill, rosemary and parsley. Dogs are also welcome to come along and bask in the sun.
The Oxford Blue is passionate about building the quintessential English cheeseboard – its constantly updated menu includes cheeses from specialist suppliers across the UK. And, while waiting for your food, you can enjoy some tasty homemade nibbles, including spicy smoked cashew nuts.
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Coworth Park
Coworth Park Hotel in Ascot boasts four restaurants and one bar (and one Michelin star), which means plenty of choice when it comes to satisfying those hunger pangs.
Enjoy an Ascot-brewed Alligator Ale at The Bar or take traditional afternoon tea – freshly made by the expert pastry team – in the Drawing Room. The tea menu includes Coworth Park’s own Meadow Blend, made from lavender picked in the hotel’s idyllic grounds. On warm days, diners at The Barn can enjoy the rustic menu on a sunlit terrace, surrounded on all sides by rolling greenery.
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Gilbey’s
Gilbey’s in Eton specializes in modern British cuisine with a French twist: think crème brûlée with a caramelised rhubarb topping, exquisitely tasty fish and chips, sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and Cornish clotted cream, and British artisan cheeses with sweet fruit chutneys. The mouth waters!
What is especially lovely about Gilbey’s, however, is the setting. It’s located in a pretty, lamplit townhouse with big windows overlooking Eton High Street. A conservatory leads out into a little courtyard garden with a distinctly Mediterranean feel. You can sip on a cocktail or enjoy a cooling scoop of ice cream while soaking in the gorgeous surroundings.
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Hurley House Hotel
In the heart of Berkshire, the gardens and terraces of Hurley House Hotel are designed for outdoor dining (with heated awnings in case the July weather doesn’t live up to billing). The food is made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients and there’s a selection of locally brewed ales.
Hurley House offers everything from afternoon tea to a Sunday roast. And who wouldn’t be tempted by the freshly baked bread with homemade butter? Don’t miss the especially crispy house chips either, but be sure to save room for a pudding menu that includes bitter dark chocolate s’mores and a creamy mango cheesecake.
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Bianco Nero
If you’d prefer to eat inside, but you’d still like a little taste of sunshine, try Bianco Nero: a family run restaurant dedicated to bringing a taste of Italian home cooking to Maidenhead.
In fact, the concept of family is writ large across the menu – try ‘mum’s favourite’ orecchiette with olive oil and broccoli or ‘dad’s secret recipe’ for rich ragu sauce. All the pasta and pizza dough is freshly made and there are plenty of veggie options. Try the risotto di verdura with lashings of vegetarian parmesan.