Thames LIDO
Napier Road,
Reading RG1 8FR
0118 207 0640
THE Thames LIDO is a jewel in Reading’s crown.
The open-air swimming pool dates back to 1903, but this is no living in the past. The venue boosts a sauna, a hot tub and the ability to get numerous treatments.
Then there is its restaurant, and it is quite the experience.
Spacious, its glass walls allow diners a view of the pool from every seat. It certainly has the wow factor, and is perfect for impressing a date, catching up with friends, or holding a business meeting.
And it felt as though we were on holiday, and not a venue just minutes away from Reading’s train station.
Friendly staff greeted us with a smile, and seated us next to the glass wall.
Drinks include non-alcoholic options such as a cucumber, lime and mint cooler (£3.75). It’s refreshing to have options of drinks which aren’t fizz or juice to try. It’s light and refreshing and has health benefits.
As an amuse-bouche, we enjoyed some La Latteria Burrata – sourdough with early harvest olive oil (£8.50). This was perfect to whet our appetite while exploring the menu.
It’s compact compared to some places: four starters: two fish, meat and vegetarian.
A similar story with the mains: two fish, two meat and two vegetarian. But with delicious choices on the menu, it will still take time to make decisions.
My starter was the Roast Beetroot and Watercress Salad with Horseradish Ajo Blanco (£7.50), while Grace, my dining companion, had Roast Scallops on the Half-Shell, Fino Sherry, Sweet Herbs and Garlic Butter (£14.50).
The flavours of my beetroot platter worked really well together, and it didn’t take long to finish.
Grace loved the presentation of her scallops: cooked and placed in the shell. She felt it was a 10-out-of-10 dish.
Main course for me, sticking with the vegetarian theme, was Roast Onion Squash, Aubergine Puree, Pumpkin Seed Vinaigrette, Herbed Taboulch and Rose Harissa (£20). This ticked so many boxes for me in terms of delivery of flavours, and feeling like I was nourishing my body while also enjoying an evening out.
Grace had the Baked Squid Ink Fideua With Wild Atlantic Prawns, Market Fish and Aioli (£29.50).
This came on its own, but there are optional sides such as white cabbage salad, parmesan and olive oil (£5), purple sprouting broccoli (£4), or fried new potatoes, garlic butter and sweet herbs (£4).
She decided to eat it on its own.
There was plenty of fish and she felt another dish would have been too much – she was right, she didn’t manage to finish the course but really enjoyed it.
To dessert or not to dessert? When out I like to have a dessert, it makes it feel like a complete meal and the were some tough decisions to be made on what to have.
I persuaded Grace to try some of the sorbets, including Passionfruit and Strawberry (£3 each or six for £14).
I opted for the Poached Chocolate Torte with Crème Fraiche and Cherries In Kirsch (£9), a little risky sometimes because the chocolate can be too rich for me, this was great though.
The portion was just the right size and having a mouthful of crème fraiche and cherries alongside worked so well.
The other desserts were very tempting and, if there were more people it would have been great to order them all and have a taste of each.
If you fancy something a little more savoury, there was also a cheese and crackers option at £6 per cheese.
I finished my meal with a Tiramisu cocktail from the digestives selection (£10). This was my luxury item: I have a weakness for the liqueur and wanted to see the look of this more than anything.
It was a black and white Mozart chocolate liqueur, Kahlua and expresso – it looked and tasted amazing.
We had such a pleasant evening at the Thames Lido and I can’t wait to return with my husband.
At the moment there are a few different deals, one which I am interested in includes swim and massage which is normally £90 – until the end of November it is £72, which would tie in well with a meal.
It is a great way of spoiling yourself or someone you love.
