Helen Wilcock enjoys a royally delicious dinner at Bel & the Dragon in Windsor
Being just an hour away from Waterloo makes Windsor popular for tourists and Brits alike. While the main attraction is of course Windsor Castle and the Queen, there is also a great selection of restaurants to enjoy during your visit. If its classic British dishes you are looking for, then Bel and the Dragon is perfect and is just a short walk from the high street.
The Venue
The restaurant was in a great location, just two minutes’ walk from the station, the river and the castle but away from the hustle and bustle of the main street. The building is a historic tea room and has been around since the 11th Century.
It’s the kind of place which is so old, that if you are tall you have to duck in the doorways, which along with the wood beams and sash windows showcase the British heritage.
The Food
The menu changes on a regular basis with a focus on fresh and local produce which is clear as soon as you look at it. While the menu wasn’t huge, it had a wonderful variety of dishes so everyone will be catered for whatever their dietary requirements may be.
We began our meal with Creamy Burrata & Heirloom Tomatoes (£9) and Crispy Duck Salad with Radishes, Pomegranate, Spring Onion and Sesame (£8). I ordered the duck and it was delicious! The warm crispy duck sat on a bed of fresh mixed salad leaves dressed in sesame.
The portion size was big for a starter so while I wanted to eat it all I also wanted to leave room for my main. I was so immersed in my meal that when I looked up my friend had devoured the burrata and had a clean plate which is the best compliment for any dish in my opinion.
For our main we chose fish of the day which was Miso marinated Cod with Peas (MVP), Josper Grilled Spring Lamb with Heritage Carrots and Broccoli (£18) and a side of Minted Jersey Royals (£4) to share. Both dishes arrived looking beautiful and were great portion sizes.
The lamb was soft and pink with a sauce that had a wonderful depth of flavour. My only issue was the lack of carrots as one and a half just wasn’t enough; luckily the waitress recommended a side dish and the Jersey Royals helped complete the dish. The Miso Cod was perfectly cooked and looked like summer on a plate.
I was the only one able to squeeze in dessert, while my friend stuck to a coffee I was unable to resist the Caramelised Tart with Black Berries and Clotted Cream (£7) which was sharp and tangy with a perfect crunchy top.
The Wordrobe Verdict
Adorned with flags and wood beams it was clear to see that Bel and the Dragon is steeped in British heritage. This continued with the menu which was full of classic dishes that tasted as good as they looked and were extremely well priced for the quality and quantity received.
The service was also wonderful with our waitress knowing everything about the menu. Be sure to drop in on your the next visit to see the Queen.
Make it happen
Where: 1 Datchet Road, Windsor, SL4 1QB
Bookings: Phone 01753 866056 or click here to make a reservation
