Roux at Skindles

“A Gem of a Place”

Located in a prime position on the banks of the River Thames on the picturesque Taplow/Maidenhead border, Roux at Skindles is part of the famous Roux family restaurant empire. Created by Chef Alain Roux, alongside his late father, Michel Roux OBE, it evokes the French brasseries which provided the laid-back, welcoming atmosphere they enjoyed with their own friends and family in France.

Iconic History

Offering stunning views, this special venue has a rich history, starting out as an 18th-century coaching inn, before being transformed into a fashionable hotel by William Skindle in 1833. It soon attracted patrons from high society, including King Edward VII, and by the 1950s was known for its elegant tea dances as well as appealing to Hollywood icons.Even Winston Churchill visited!

In the 1980s Skindles was the place to be seen, becoming known for its glamorous, and infamous, Studio Valbonne nightclub - complete with sunken swimming pool and celebrity guests including The Rolling Stones, John Lennon, Ultravox, Cliff Richard and Princess Margaret.

Always Fresh, Always Homemade

Today, Alain Roux continues to keep the Skindles’ story relevant for a new generation, whilst still living up to his and his father’s dream of creating an informal neighbourhood hang-out where the mood is convivial and buzzy and the dining, relaxed.

Standing proud as the little sister to The Waterside Inn in Bray, it has found a place in the hearts of the local community, with rave reviews from guests, particularly about the friendly service and ‘surprising affordability’.

Preparing fresh, seasonal and tasty dishes every day in the open kitchen, the Head Chef and his talented team also include some of Alain’s favourites on the menu - an iconic Goat’s cheese Soufflé and classic Prawn cocktail with Marie Rose sauce made to a secret Roux recipe!

Destination Cocktail Bar

As well as al fresco dining on the Brasserie terrace, venture to the first floor Cocktail Bar which features a stunning copper centrepiece bar and terrace serving signature Cocktails and an extensive wines & spirits list.

It even has its own exclusive ‘Brioche & Bubbles’ bar menu - think delicious Lobster Rolls, Poshdogs and Skindles’ burgers & fries. Happy Hour is not to be missed, running every Wednesday-Sunday 4pm-6.30pm with great value on Champagne, Prosecco, Cocktails and wine, followed by live music on selected Friday nights showcasing some of the area’s most popular musicians.

“It is very different from The Waterside Inn as we didn’t want to do a ‘Waterside mark two.’ Skindles has a strong influence of French cooking, but there are no boundaries, so we take influences from all over the world to ensure we continually bring guests a wide choice and always something new. What is the same as The Waterside, is the ingredientsfreshly cooked à la minute, whereas other high street restaurants rely on frozen ingredients.

We know if it’s homemade, it’s fresh - and I don’t think you can beat that, especially in a beautiful setting and attentive, yet unobtrusive service, that makes you feel at home.”

- Alain Roux, pictured below

Always Something Special

Guests can enjoy Skindles’ series of fun and memorable events including intimate wine pairing dinners brought to life by Master Sommeliers and Mixology Masterclasses with the resident expert Mixologist.

Upcoming Events:

‘Greek Wine Tasting Dinner’

Champagne reception and 4-course menu paired with the finest Greek wines

19th September 2024

‘Hot Date With The Macallan’

4-course whisky pairing dinner serving the Rolls Royce of single malts

14th November 2024

Having earned a reputation as the ‘go-to’ for special occasions, the beautiful venue is licensed for weddings and makes a dream location for private parties and celebrations.

Choose from a range of room and venue hire options including The Chairman’s Room, complete with gold embroidered wall coverings and floor to ceiling views over the river.

Warm welcomes, the most delicious food and drink, incredible value, and stunning sunsets await all.

Enjoy a trip along the Thames in Skindles’ electric boat ‘Valbonne’, available now for private hire waterside-inn.co.uk

Make sure to look out too for the weekly 3-course Table d’hôte menu offering exceptional value, plus daily themed specials including steaks and seafood fresh from the day boats.

The A La Carte menu is available for lunch and dinner Wednesday to Saturday, and for all day dining from 12:00 noon until 8:30 pm on Sunday.

If you are looking for a fun, immersive, and magical day out learning some of the most closely guarded Roux culinary secrets, have a look at the state-of-the-art Alain Roux Culinary School based in the beautiful grounds of The Waterside Inn in Bray.

For enquiries, reservations and gift vouchers, please call 01628 951100, or visit rouxatskindles.co.uk to sign up to the newsletter. Be sure to follow rouxatskindles on social media for the latest offers, events and new menus.