Restaurants near Heathrow: Which one?
 

We'll be overnighting at Heathrow in early July and would like to find a pleasant restaurant for dinner. Several suggestions we've gotten include: Brula and Ma Cuisine in Twickenham and Riverside Brasserie in Bray on Thames. We are aware that we'll need a taxi for the 5-10 miles in either direction. Twickenham is much closer and that may be a better choice if the weather's foul. On the other hand, if we are fortunate enough to have a fine evening, it may indeed be worthwhile going on to Bray. Opinions greatly appreciated. Thanks.

The Fat Duck in Bray is absolutely superb, three stars, and in my opinion far more exciting and experimental than any of Gordon Ramsay's piles.

The restaurant at Great Fosters in Egham is very nice, as its setting.

Bray also has the Waterside Inn, a Michelin 3 star (as is the Fat Duck) with classical French cuisine. Lovely riverside setting. Website is www.waterside-inn.co.uk. However, I'm not sure you will get in at either place at such short notice.

Forget this silly foreign muck and eat proper British food.

Madhu's (39 South Road Southall UB1 1SW), which specialises in Punjabi cuisine, recently won the Best Restaurant title in the Good Curry Guide. Much nearer LHR than these poncey places, far more authentically British and a damn sight cheaper.

Only drawback is it's full of airport staff.

Flanner trying to be clever by suggesting (correctly) that Indian cuisine is the most popular British food thereby replacing traditional or contemporary British fayre. However, although I'm an enormous fan of Indian food I feel it's a little heavy pre-flight, especially with an early start.