The Waterway Bar & Restaurant (Bar, Restaurant)

Entertainment has always been a crucial part of the dining experience, from minstrels to string quartets; belly dancers to pianists. True, half naked women wearing bells or a cliched classic recital may not be to everyone's tastes, but the role of entertainment in dining is undeniable. And nowhere have I been entertained more whilst dining than at The Waterway.
 
Sitting on the terrace at this bustling and popular riverside restaurant, I was treated to a precession of canal boats floating by that were positively captivating, from the jaunty lads boat that sailed by strewn with green glass bottles (can you be arrested for drink driving a boat?!) to the hippy family commune barge that seemed to be powered by optimism and tambourines; there's never a dull moment taking in this view.
 
On the back of the terrace a fiery open grill provides a theatrical backdrop with chefs cooking up a storm somewhere between dramatic 'F' word style cooking, and relaxed riviera-esque dining. Finally, I had the good fortune of dining at The Wateray on a Thursday evening, and unbeknownst to me, Thursday evening is live music night. As the sun languished in the evening sky, the diners at the restaurant were treated to a folksy acoustic session. The good kind of folksy acoustic, not the stunted obvious kind that makes you want to hit the singer with their own guitar.
 
AS we were sitting outdoors, grilled foods and BBQ meats were the obvious choice from the terrace menu (there's a separate a la carte menu for those wishing to dine inside. A menu that featured rabbit and crayfish ravioli. I'm still a little upset I wasn't able to order it). The smell was temptingly mouth-watering and I'm sure it would draw in hungry patrons from miles around when the wind is the right direction.

Vibrant dressings, herb garnishes and mediterranean accents appear on a large selection of dishes and give the menu here a fresh and healthy vibe. Fear not, this can quickly be undone with the right choice of wine - I opted for a NZ sauvignon blanc. Simply because I found the name 'Momo' utterly satisfying to say.
 
Having devoured a deliciously delicate starter of chargrilled squid, I chose a surprisingly hearty main of Tagliatelle. A slab of breaded feta proved too much of a mountain for me to conquer, moorish and filling at the best times, I conceded that in this case my lust for summer dining had certainly run away with me, and I admitted defeat. Before I gave up I was able to savour the artichoke salad that accompanied the main, which was just too delicious.
 
As a typically British chill set in and the patio heaters were fired up (tenacious 'stiff upper lip' behaviour meant that the terrace was full, even though it would have been much more enjoyable to dine inside as the temperature dropped), a relaxed vibe struck The Wateway. The kind of relaxed vibe that one assumes only Italians who drive around, carefree on Vespas and sip espressos, get to experience; or Spaniards who get to indulge in an afternoon siesta - it was the perfect summers evening and meant it was extremely hard to say no to another drink or two and while away the hours. Perhaps if I didn't have to be up early the next morning I would have sipped in that carefree style. In fact, I think I will. When I next go back to The Waterway (and I'm rarely one for return visits) I'll make sure I book my table for the early afternoon. I cant think of a better place to while away the hours in a delicious gastronomic haven, through a mildly boozey summer haze....read more