• Added: 2nd of September 2008
• Area: Reading
• Category: Restaurants

Reading RG4 8JG

funki_munki said
Greek god of a restaurant!
I visited Kyrenia for a valentines and it was definitely the perfect place. A cosy setting with homely food and great service – what more could you need? We had a selection of starters to begin with that let us taste a variety of Greek dishes – mainly vegetarian. My main meal was an amazing braised lamb shank cooked until the meat fell of the bone and melted in the mouth. The staff were a delight – very friendly and knowledgeable about the food and wine.

With many chain restaurant and endless Italians all over Reading this really is a dining experience that is a break from the norm – highly recommended!

• Added: 2nd of September 2008
• Area: Reading
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Reading RG4 9QN

funki_munki said
Nice 'Gastro' food
A pleasant bar come restaurant with the recent addition of a courtyard and hotel rooms. The conservatory is the best place to be if you are going to eat so try to ask to be seated there. The menu is very much in the vein of a gastro pub with fusion from all types of cuisine and it does it fairly well. Some nice ciabatta sandwiches are on the lunch menu with other light bites to choose from. The staff are always friendly though generally the service is more in line with a pub rather than a gastro pub i.e. a little sloppy and under attentive at times but nothing that would spoil a meal

• Added: 2nd of September 2008
• Area: Reading
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Reading RG1 2JR
0118 956 0666

funki_munki said
Cocktail Heaven!
Sahara is an intimate bar at the far end of town serving a range of excellently prepared cocktails. The cocktail list is extensive and the bar staff are more than happy to suggest, or take suggestions, for alterations to drinks. All fruit is fresh (I’ve seen them run out of the bar to get more when they’ve run out) and, whilst the service can be slow, you know you are getting a well made drink. I tend to visit on a weekday evening or early on the weekend as it tends to get a bit crowded on a Fri/Sat night plus the bouncers can sometimes be incredibly rude.

• Added: 2nd of September 2008
• Area: Reading
• Category: Nightlife

Reading RG1 4SJ
0118 957 6847

funki_munki said
A forbidden treat
The after dark club is a place that people go to, enjoy but will never admit to it! It’s a dark and dingy place accessed by a secluded passageway. Drinks are cheap (and served in plastic glasses) and the music tends to err on the side of indie, rock, alternative and electro. Bank Holiday weekends are often a favourite as Friday night is given over to the best music of the 90’s. All my evenings there have been sweaty, drunken and every so wonderful and despite its debauched reputation I’d recommend it to anyway who wishes to have a night away from the mainstream

• Added: 2nd of September 2008
• Area: Reading
• Category: Restaurants

Reading RG1 7RD
0118 958 6466

funki_munki said
Pies fit for a king
Sweeney Todds is an institution! And a wonderful one at that. When I first moved to Reading I stumbled upon this shop and have been constantly returning for takeout pies since (That’ll be why my waistline is expanding!). The inner restaurant can seem a little ‘local’ and daunting but its actually extremely friendly. A wonderful waitress always reads the list of the available pies for you (which I can never remember!) – Vicars pie is outstanding! The side dishes are also a treat including homemade hand-cut chips and rich cauliflower cheese. Great atmosphere and good traditional pies – A British feast to be proud of!

• Added: 2nd of September 2008
• Area: Reading
• Category: Restaurants

Reading RG1 2AG
0118 957 4787

funki_munki said
Good trashy (!) food
Chili’s is a wonderfully trashy American/Mexican restaurant in at the Oracle Shopping centre in Reading. Blasting out 90’s soft rock anthems from the outside speakers, you are let into 2 floors of dining area. Service is always fast if not the most attentive and the portions are those that you would expect from a chain America/Mexican restaurant – HUGE! Baby back ribs are delicious (if messy) and the burgers and far too big for the mouth but perfect anyway! Free refills on the soft drinks are also a bonus too.

This is definitely not a first date place (!) but it sure satisfy’s when you’re hungry!

• Added: 2nd of September 2008
• Area: Reading
• Category: Restaurants

Reading RG1 3DH
0118 951 5790

funki_munki said
Graet location, good food.
Bel and The Dragon is in great spot just on the river Kennet at Blakes Lock. The old boat repair building has been well renovated to provide a wonderful setting for a meal. The dining area is large, light and spacious and the bar area is cosy and welcoming.

I’ve never been in the summer and sat out of the river terrace but it looks stunning. The food is a little pricey but always well done – the corn fed chicken with chips is simple but superb. There is a set menu at the restaurant, which offers better value, and there is often a good choice of food

• Added: 2nd of September 2008
• Area: Somerstown
• Category: Restaurants

London W1W 5QB
020 7631 3131

funki_munki said
Good but pricey
Villandry is a great restaurant if, like me, you opt to go when there are special offers on. If I hadn’t had a 50% offer voucher I doubt I would be as pleased given the expense. The restaurant is roomy yet intimate with plush surrounding. The service was OK but often to difficult to get attention when you need it. I really enjoyed the food; my Duck cassoulet was tender and rick and my friend moules were delicious, although the size of the potion did make it a little daunting for her!

My only other gripe was being told there was a 2 hour turnaround on my table (not mentioned when I booked!) although this was not enforced at all, so not sure why they felt the need to tell me.

• Added: 2nd of September 2008
• Area: Reading
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Reading RG1 1AX
0118 951 2340

funki_munki said
nice food
I have been to the restaurant upstairs in this establishment but never to the bar downstairs. It’s a deceptively big room upstairs which made it seem rather quiet on the evening myself and my partner arrived. It turned out it was actually quite busy but there were only 2 members of staff on. Despite this, the service was fairly good, although we were left without cutlery and given the ridiculously large pepper grinder to use ourselves – I had to stand up to use it!

The food was good but nothing out of the ordinary. Strangely for an Italian restaurant, the best dish for us was the Greek, stuffed vine leaves!

• Added: 2nd of September 2008
• Area: Reading
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Reading RG1 3BY
0118 958 9814

funki_munki said
Has got potential
The Wynford Arms is an interesting place. The second notable gay establishment in Reading that may be trying to cater for too many different crowds. The pub retains a traditional appearance for the outside and, until recent years, was an image reflected on the inside. In an effect to update and draw in people who would normally bypass the Wynford and head to the Granby, the décor has been updated and the space opened up. However, they obviously still want to maintain the older, traditional clientele so didn’t want to push it too far (or perhaps the purse strings wouldn’t allow) but what has been left is something that looks half finished! The music tends to err on the side of caution and it can be a battle to get the staff not to serve a vodka and coke in a pint-sized glass but it’s always a friendly atmosphere and the quiz on the last Sunday of the month is legendary.