Strada, Newbury

Hmmm, very average is all I can think of to say about this one.....ok salad starter, ok seafood main course and a disgusting pre bought frozen chocolate fondant which they hadn't even managed to heat through properly in the microwave! I even offered to teach the chefs how to cook puddings if they have a problem in that area but surprisingly they haven't got back to me on that one!
There are certainly better places to go in Newbury to spend your hard earned money!

Alfresco Dining take away van, B&Q car park, Newbury

Please believe me when I say I have very rarely eaten from a van but credit where credit's due. When walking along the canal in the morning with the dogs, we come to a bridge parallel with B&Q which we have named 'Temptation Bridge'....the smell of bacon wafts across the morning air tempting us to detour off the canal path and into the salubrious surrounds of the B&Q car park. The van is a permanent fixture and serves the freshest baguettes which we have crammed full of sausage, bacon and mushrooms...they don't stint on the filling and even give us a separate bag filled with sausage for the dogs. These baguettes are so big we usually share one but I have been known to eat a whole one myself on really greedy days! If you have some DIY to do or are taking a stroll along the canal, make a detour here, it's well worth it!

La Tasca, Newbury

Ideal for a week day cheap and cheerful meal out....if you're not in a hurry! Get hold of a La Tasca card and it entitles you to 20% off plus if you go before 7pm then its two for one on the cocktails!
Typical tapas fair with lovely fish, prawns and calamari in the lightest batter but be prepared to wait for it, we waited 45minutes to be served last night! When we threatened to leave, the manager went into the kitchen and cooked our dishes himself...very well might I add! A good place to meet with a group of friends after work.

The Vineyard, Stockcross

Wow, what an experience! From the flames leaping from the pond in the courtyard to the three staff greeting us at the door, this was a night to remember. The full wine list competed with the complete set of Encyclopedia Britanica and featured wines from countries I didn't even know existed let alone produced wines! I chose the Discovery menu which consisted of five courses with five wines chosen from world wide destinations. Each perfectly matched the exquisite food we were served, from the sweetest scallops to the white chocolate creation, every mouthful was an explosion of flavours on the palate! Ok, for the two of us it cost the national debt of one of the smaller aforementioned countries, but what's the point of slaving all week if you can't afford a treat once in a while?!