Windsor is starting to gear up for the 2012 Olympics already. Things are being put into place to make the event the really world class event that it is.

I’ve been working on getting myself ready to take bookings now for the games, not an easy matter in sorting out pricing for over a year away…..let alone getting a diary for the B&B this far ahead!

Several changes have been happening in town over the last few months- a couple of pubs have changed hands, old shops closing and new shops opening.

I have had a couple of excellent meals in town, at Thai Terrace Restaurant we had an excellent meal here and recommend it http://www.langtonhouse.co.uk/eatingguide.php also had a great night out at the Elaichi which  has always been a favourite of mine but just seems to be getting better, service is really excellent!

Whilst he may be fanatical about food hygiene this is obviously not the sort of news that is good for his business.

To be honest, in my own opinion, I hope he gets it all sorted out as soon as possible, as a businessman myself I can only support any other business person, particualry a local business, and I wish him all the best.

It is somewhat hidden away in Bourne End Marina, outside Maidenhead, but not too far from Windsor as to make it a serious trek. In fact, once found I’m sure, like us, you’d be going back more than just once!

The building is a fairly modern structure that has the actual restaurant on the first floor. There is some outside seating on a balcony overlooking the marina, but at this time of year that is not a  serious option, unless you’ve just come back from the Arctic!

On entering we were cheerfully welcomed and taken to our seats, although there is a small bar area to sit in whilst you wait for your table or for friends to arrive.

We were offered some bread and chutneys whilst we looked over the menu, but from past experience I know that this will surely fill me up far too much, so we had a good look at the bread from another table and although it looked lovely we concentrated on our main and starter decisions.

The menu is extensive and there is a choice of an A La Carte Menu or the Thames Side set menu at £16.95 for 3 courses (2009). For our starters we settled on Pan Fried Scallops with Smoked Haddock and Coriander Fishcake and I ordered a Butternut squash risotto with a Parmesan horne filled with rocket salad. All arrived wonderfully prepared and beautifully presented, succulent scallops and the risotto was exceptionally tasty. Both provided a substantial starter to our main course.

The next installment ….I ordered a Wildebeest Steak on Sweet Potato Dauphinois with Kangaroo Sausages and Rebellion Ale Sauce – it caught my eye as something very different and a interesting change from the usual steak offering. Sonja ordered the Trio of Game, Pheasent, Partridge and Venison served on a potato Rostie. Again all served beautifully and I was pleasantly surprised to find my Wildebeest steak to be a fantastic choice, very tender and combined with the Sweet Potato Dauphinois it was a mouthwatering combination. Sonja’s was an excellent array of meats working together and a lovely sauce to complement.

Desserts, which I normally try not to order, were just too good not to try. We decided on sharing the 4 small portions which included a Frozen Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Chip Brownie, Cheesecake and Panna Cotta  – something there for everyone and we both thoroughly enjoyed them all.

We both highly recommend this restaurant (as if this review did not give that conclusion away) and will most definitely be going back.

Check out their web site for directions and menus
www.ottrestaurant.co.uk

My expectations were very high, and although the meal I had was not quite of the quality I expected, overall it was a very good meal. My Rib Eye steak was fairly chewy (more fat than I thought was to be expected), but the fillet was perfect as was the pork special. The Tiramisu was again not up to my expectations as they had tried to improve on the traditional recipe and added nuts and orange, and as I am VERY picky on this my favourite desert, I have to score them down on this. The triple chocolate did however look fantastic! Overall we really enjoyed it and would recommend to others.