A Hidden, Genuine Gem - River Spice Restaurant and Lounge

Dene Tonna • Published 10 Mar 2011 12:00 7 Comments

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The restaurant is tucked away - so already you know you are in for a great night, a great meal, and none of the hustle and bustle of the busy Caversham Road. Parking is ample and free, a rarity for most Reading restaurants.

I love how this place has a real family feel as soon as you walk in, as the staff make you feel at home. On the other hand, I can see why it could be called romantic, set on the riverside with beautiful views of the Thames, you can sit back and watch the boats go by, while enjoying some of the finest food you will ever taste in Reading.

River Spice offers a great service that is attentive and professional. The drinks menu is extensive and reasonably priced - a bottle of house white will only set you back £11.95. There is also an endless list of non-alcoholic drinks for the designated drivers and the kiddies.

My waiter asked if we had eaten there before and when we said we had not, he offered to take us on a culinary adventure.

He did not steer us wrong as he took us through the menu.

The contemporary eat-in or take-out Indian/Bangladeshi restaurant has appetizers like the River Spice specials platter for two - a selection of chicken, lamb, vegetables and seafood, or King Prawn Suka, Tandoori Monkfish marinated in yogurt, herbs and spices, and my favourite, the Indian style spicy mussels.

Tandoori dishes include salmon shashlik, mixed vegetable shashlik and the best cocktail kebab Tandoori mixed grill I have ever tasted, while the succulent spring chicken, chicken tikka, lamb tikka, sheek kebab and king prawns are fit for any King or Queen.

The butter chicken - for the meek like me - prepared in a very mild and rich creamy sauce and sprinkled with ground chestnuts, is a dish that I can truly say will blow you away, for all the right reasons.

And finally not forgetting the selection of desserts! There are too many to mention, but one that you will never forget is the cinnamon pear, drizzled in chocolate sauce.

The prices are what really put this place at the top. You will notice that all the dishes are reasonable priced; one of the best priced menus in Reading, I would say.

It is definitely advised to make reservations for Friday and Saturday nights. Really. This hidden gem is going to be one of the places to be seen in!

Not kidding, I've already seen a few local celebs dining there.

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 10 Mar 11

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

awful_chronicle
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Mar 10, 18:21
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This is an awful article....it is typical of this awful website......it's not obvious which restaurant you are even reviewing.

The whole Reading Chronicle website has no structure or flow. One of the most frustrating experiences I've had.

Awful.

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Michael Randel
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Mar 10, 22:26
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Mr Awful - grow up and get a life! You wouldn't know quality if it hit you right between your eyes! Great article. Mr Chronicle your website is Fab!

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Boris_123
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Mar 10, 23:17
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Seems as though somebody has a little too much time on their hands! Why don't you go and do something a little more constructive with your time instead of commenting on this, if you have nothing decent to say then why say it at all? I think that this website is brilliant! And why can't you even show your real identity instead of calling yourself 'awful_chronicle', very mature.

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Michael Randel
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Mar 11, 21:39
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Well Said!!!!! Oh dear Mr Awful looks like you've been shamed!

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Sam Linden
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Mar 11, 21:47
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Just been to River Spice, wonderful food, great atmosphere. Thanks for the letting us know. Sam and Kevin. Caversham

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ianw
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Oct 11, 21:27
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Sorry, this restaurant is lame to average. The spirits with a mixer distinctly seem somewhat lacking in strength, and the portion sizes of starters, curries & sides are tiny. One of those restaurants that fills you up with the low cost rice, poppadums & Naan. Seems everyones cutting back! Theres nothing outstanding about this restaurant, the food is pretty much the same as what you would get from your average takeaway.

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megaB
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Nov 12, 15:23
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Similar to last reviewer. Visited with friends, poor service, didnt understand English. Food was ordinary to poor, just bland really. Ambience was poor I guess I just didnt enjoy the place and then couldnt get the bill promptly.Wont be going back.

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