IT was bon appetit for staff from Cerise as they were given the top award of Restaurant of the Year.

Cerise, based in The Forbury Hotel, was crowned Restaurant of the Year at the Reading Retail Awards on Saturday night.

Daniel Galmiche, top chef and judge of the category, sponsored by Tilehurst Village Butchers, presented the award giving a run down on how all restaurants shortlisted performed during his visits.

“We had a very difficult decision to make. They were all very different,” he told the audience at the Hilton Hotel.

Describing his experience of Cerise, he said: “I haven’t been there for a long time, but when I got there nothing had changed.

“It was still a beautiful, elegant place — very clean with a very good buzz too.

“There were good staff who have all been there for a while now. It was nice to see.”

Winning the Lovely Lunch category, sponsored by Broad Street Mall, was Zest, based in Lime Square.

Graham Mountford, operations manager at Broad Street Mall, presented the award saying: “From the moment you walk in to the moment you leave, you are made to feel very welcome and under no pressure to rush making your dining experience extra special.”

And named as the best place for a coffee, was Quantum Internet Café in Union Street which won the My Favourite Coffee Shop category sponsored by The Oracle.

Steve Belam, general manager at The Oracle, presented the award reading out a customer comment which said: “Staff are always helpful and welcoming. Giving great service. I love this place.”