Maidenhead
The Crown Inn Cookham

The Crown Inn Cookham

The Moor Cookham, Berkshire SL6 9SB, SL6 9SE, Maidenhead, United Kingdom

Steak • Pizza • Seafood • British


"Food was delicious, great place to sit outside in the sun. Sadly, the waiting/bar staff and managers were awful. I rung ahead on a Sunday to see if they had availability for 3 for late lunch, they wouldn’t tell me yes or no, we went to see if we could be seated in the bar/outside anyway. Again the waitress didn’t give us a clear answer, barely acknowledged us, even though over half the tables were unoccupied. We went to the bar to order our food, once ordered we realised they had charged us about £2 extra per burger.. on returning to the bar to query I was told it was a discretionary service charge, which is automatically put on. I think this is outrageous considering we sat ourselves, got our own drinks, ordered our own food, and had to get our own cutlery and condiments. I have worked in pubs for years and have NEVER done this or experienced this. One of the first things we saw when we walked in were staff sitting on a high table at the front of the pub cleaning cutlery, in full view of everyone. Obviously there was some controversy over them doing so between two managers as one manager in front of myself and many others at the bar made it clear she was fine with them sitting there and the other manager wasn’t (which he was right to think). Staff hovering around, not acknowledging customers standing at the bar, not cleaning tables, barely even communicating when asked a question by a customer. I did not see one staff member smile. This pub has so much potential, it’s such a shame. One female manager in particular was incredibly unfriendly and unapproachable. Not what you expect in a such a lovely area. Price per person: £20–30"

Royal Oak

Royal Oak

Paley Street, Bray SL6 3JN, SL6 3JL, Maidenhead, United Kingdom

Pub • Pubs • British • European


"Do you like pub food? Do you like Michelin stars? Do you want an amazing meal with little to no pretension? Do you want to go to a pub that's practically in the middle of nowhere? If you answered yes to these four questions, head immediately to The Royal Oak. We had a slight concern when my GPS said we had arrived and it was a completely different pub. Luckily, the right pub was just a bit further up the road. We booked Sunday Lunch, because who doesn't like Sunday Lunch in a pub? If you bring your Ferrari, you can park right in the front as well! The inside is really warm and charming. There are really friendly staff there to welcome you in and let you sit in some comfy chairs and couches and have a drink while you're waiting for your fourth dining companion to arrive. So kudos to that. Our table was in the back in what looked like was an add-on. But one whole wall is full of windows overlooking a beautiful garden, so you don't really feel like you're shoved way in the back corner. The service was a bit slow, but if you're not in a rush, why does it matter? We ordered the baked Vacherin Mont d'or cheese (which in the winter, I will be doing at home instead of baked brie or Camembert) and a couple of Scotch Eggs and Rabbit on toast as pre-nibbles. The eggs and rabbit were nice, but not amazing, but the cheese dip was great. And the bread basket they served was awesome as well. Several types of bread with butter. The olive flatbreads were awesome, and since two diners didn't like olives, two of us got to eat a lot of them. They'll bring as much bread as you ask, but it's super easy to go overboard. For my starter I opted for something different than everyone else and got the game terrine. What a mistake that was. Not that the terrine wasn't delicious. It was, but the rabbit lasagne was like heaven in your mouth. I was super jealous of everyone else. For my main I ordered the hare and trotter pie. The crust wasn't the most amazing, but the filling was probably the best pie filling I've ever had. The hare and trotter were soft and luscious and the gravy was phenomenal. It was really rich so toward the end I had to cut the richness with the delicious mash they served with it. The other half had the woodcock and I tried a few bites of that as well. Awesome. Simply awesome. His only complaint was that it was huge and very rich so it was hard to finish it all, and he didn't want dessert at the end of the meal. For dessert, two of us ordered the chocolate fondant and one the butterscotch pudding. I loved the fondant, but again it was really good sized and incredibly rich. It was a lot after the rich pie. And the filling was almost too oozy. At least it wasn't over done. We also ordered some Madeleines and our coffees and teas came with Petits Fours. The Madeleines were kind of boring for me, they needed more flavor, but the Petits Fours (a raisin cake, coconut marshmallow and a chocolate truffle) were great. The coffee not so much. I hate ordering filter coffee and just getting a long pull espresso. They are not the same. But the bad parts were really minor. The good parts far outshown and some of the dishes we had were some of the best dishes of the weekend. The woodcock was fantastic and I'm still having dreams about my pie. I need to figure out how to make something that good at home. With a better pie crust. It's unfortunate that it's not really conveniently close, because I could see myself ending up here quite a bit. Since I was driving, I couldn't drink either, but given my state the night before, it was probably a good thing. If you're in the area and fancy an amazingly laid back atmosphere with awesome food, book this place!"

The Crown at Bray

The Crown at Bray

High Street Bray, Berkshire SL6 2AH, SL6 2BL, Maidenhead, United Kingdom

Cafés • Asiatic • Mexican • European


"Have previously dined at the Hinds Head which was impeccable from arrival to the end, staff were wonderful and knowledgeable and food was divine. The Crown sadly does not have the same standards. On arrival table was not ready which was fine, waited at the bar and then seated. Staff weren’t overly attentive, very chatty amongst themselves behind the bar. After being seated the service was very slow, we felt like we had been forgotten. It took 30 minutes to take the drinks order after my husband had to prompt staff. We ordered our food whilst the staff were at the table. Bread and whipped butter was delicious, fish cakes very average, heavy on potato lacked seasoning, aioli accompaniment was excellent. Beef blade main, meat was well cooked, fell apart, carrots too al dente, dumpling was raw and just lacked dept of flavour, the whole dish was under seasoned and arrived almost cold. My husband enjoyed his barvette beef and roast potatoes though we had to ask for the garlic butter which was forgotten. Dessert sticky toffee pudding overly sickly sweet and vanilla ice cream grainy and lacking flavour. My husband ice cream trio had the same issues of grainy texture and lacking flavour . Both desserts were inedible , a cartmel sticky toffee pudding and laverstock farm ice cream would have been a better substitute. Throughout dinner, the staff were less than attentive, lacking knowledge and busier chatting between themselves. Do not be fooled by the allure of Heston, he’s obviously too busy to be consider the standards of his no starred pubs! Sell it to someone local with a desire for it to do well!"

Taplow House

Taplow House

Taplow House, Berry Hill, Maidenhead, United Kingdom

Sushi • Pizza • Seafood • British


"While an impressive building this is a fairly small hotel in terms of room numbers, so it remains somewhere which offers a personal level of service in traditional style. Reception is merely a shelf on the side of the hallway but the staff are welcoming and try to assist with any query. Off the lobby is a nice reception room with a small bar and decent seating, which is a good place to get a casual lunch, or drink late at night too. There’s no lifts in the building, so heavy bags can be a bit of a pain on the staircases but all the communal areas are decorated nicely and in keeping with the rest of the property. My room was on the 1st floor and impressive size wise. There was plenty of space in the main bedroom area with two bedside tables, a desk, separate unit with drink making facilities as well as coffee table with chairs. The room was a traditional design with wooden beams in the ceiling and the creaky floor added to the character. Sleep quality was good with a decent bed and a window which opened rather than air conditioning. Electric sockets were on the floor by the side of the bed and there was no noise from other rooms or outside. The bathroom was spotlessly clean and again, very traditional in terms of fixtures and decor with a shower over the bath rather than a separate unit. Overall it’s a pleasant hotel, certainly acting as a retreat for those wanting a relaxing experience. For the right kind of stay it should certainly be considered. Rooms: 4 Service: 4 Location: 3 Hotel highlights: Romantic, Quiet"

The Olde Bell

The Olde Bell

High Street Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 5LX, SL6 5LY, United Kingdom

Beer • Hotels • Venues • Seafood


"Don't judge a book by its cover.... beautiful building however this establishment is not customer friendly nor focused!! Woah, what an absolute crying shame, what was once a lovely old English pub filled with atmosphere and happy customers has become an incredible let down of an experiance. Visited yesterday (Saturday 12th August) with my incredibly patient partner to enjoy a few drinks and bite to eat. He went to the bar and purchased our drinks, thought it was odd when he eventually returned baring no real ale for himself which he was looking forward to sup on? He mentioned that all the pumps were not working, no alcoholic beverages in bottles and all that was available was soft drinks.... hmmm, I could see the pain upon his face yet being the person of positivity we opted to remain and tempt fate by ordering food. Off to the chaotic bar he went and placed our food order.... nearing an hour later half the order appeared. We waited for the rest of it to appear, to no avail.... we had noted that other diners were receiving other diners orders and confusion provided by staff was prevalent. My partner went to the bar to inquire as to where the rest of the order was only to be greeted with the demand of his receipt to prove payment by the very same member of staff who took the initial food order! Hmmm not impressed!! I went to the bar to seek remedy....more.uhmming and ahhing by the same member of staff who took the food order... full refund provided by a different staff member, no apology. Ironically there were many other diners leaving the pub dissatisfied with service and lack of available beverages and food quality if/when it appeared. There are evidently training issues which need to be addressed Absolutely zero level of customer service and customers comparing complaints quite openly...... Will not be going back unless I learn of new staff and management team... I can confirm, they cannot arrange a p@@s up in a brewery due to lack of alcohol and competence!!"

Blue River Café

Blue River Café

The Thames Riviera HotelBridge Road, Maidenhead, United Kingdom

Cafés • Kebab • Mexican • Fast Food


"Was not happy with this restaurant at all or OPENTABLE.CO.UK . We booked a table for four for 8.00pm on a Sunday Evening. We met at the bar and had a quite drink before going into the restaurant. It seems that our Booking for some reason had not been made with them. I showed them my email from OPENTABLE.CO.UK and the young girl had no idea we were coming. Then she says to us on the way to the table that all food orders have to be in the kitchen by 8.30 and it was 8.20 at the time. If I had booked my table for 8.30 as offered by OPENTABLE.CO.UK then we wouldn't have any chance of a meal. On top of that there were only two members of staff on duty. One in the bar and one in the restaurant and there were a large family with children. Who were running around the room making all sort of noise with nothing being said by the staff or the managers as they were not there. To get out of the noise we went to far end of the bar for a quite chat but the children were left to run all over the bar screaming and shouting. To a point where all our group were getting cross with the children as they wouldn't leave us alone at our table. We will not be going there again and I may not going with OPENTABLE.CO.UK as I feel let down by them too. If a menu changes for any reason let be a Sunday or what ever then it should to live on your Website. Or within the terms and conditions set out when a restaurant is advertised with OPENTABLE.CO.UK"

At Fredrick's

At Fredrick's

Jazzercise, Shoppenhangers Road,SL6 2, United Kingdom, SL6 2PS, Maidenhead

Mexican • Seafood • European • Fast Food


"My daughter and I were treated to afternoon tea for mother’s day by my son in law. He had booked and paid for it sending us the booking details. We called in the morning to see if we could add my granddaughter but were told quite rudely that they were very busy and cannot add another person. When we arrived we were half greeted by the receptionist who asked for our voucher and told us to go down corridor to the left. Having passed a table of diners in the corridor we carried on to what looked like a waiting area, bar a restaurant reception? After waiting 5 mins for someone to acknowledge us, we were then left so they could set up the table and were again acknowledged by a second person. After sitting at our table the staff continued to take items off and add others, there was also enough room to have added a chair for my granddaughter. A waitress came and gave us a menu but didn’t explain anything, she came back with to glasses of wine and to take our drink order were we both ordered breakfast tea. She came back with our order and our afternoon tea stand, my daughters cup was dirty and the crockery was mismatched. We asked if we could swap the salmon as neither of us like salmon, we were told that we needed to do that at time of booking, we explained that we didn’t make the booking it was a present, but there was nothing they could do. That was the only interaction we had with anyone until we ordered a coke for my daughter. The restaurant was quite quiet at this time, however, there was a serving station that had dirty crockery on it and every drawer had been opened and left that way. What we had of the food was ok, but nothing special and not very well presented. Overall the experience was very disappointing and we will certainly not return in a hurry. My son in law was so upset that he booked us another afternoon tea elsewhere."