La Taverna

An excellent Italian restaurant in Windsor, where the very senior proprietor checks on every table every time and the restaurant is filled with pictures of him throughout the «ages». (Seriously, he’s like 85 but there are pictures in there from when he was easily in his early 20s.)
The food is superb. The ravioli served looked like a limp, wet noodle, but when bit into it was actually firm and the flavors from within explode into the mouth whetting the appetite for ever more food. When the main course was served, I will echo James F. in that the wait staff seemed a bit befuddled as by whom what was ordered and where certain dishes should go. Moreover, for our party of 10, they forgot one of the individuals main dish on the first pass (fortunately, it was a stew that was readily available as that could have ended poorly for them and resulted in several stars knocked off).
The dessert choices were plentiful, made fresh that day, and brought for you to view on a dessert platter from which they’ll cut the fresh piece instantly.
Oh, wine choices… also excellent. I am not a connoisseur by any means but one of the French men in our party seemed to know a lot and was having a conversation with the old Italian proprietor in Italian about the choices and they both seemed very enthused about the bottle with which we ended. (It was awesome, FYI.)
Anyhow, I’d highly recommend to any traveler in the area.

4.5 stars but a little too pricey to merit 5. This place leaves me wanting to write a mass of contradicting things…
Food is stealthily excellent. By that, I mean it didn’t initially wow but the flavours were spot on — I was initially unimpressed by a lumpy and possibly watery tomato sauce but it tasted interesting and divine, I’m sure there was a hint of star anise in there. Slightly flaccid ravioli but very very tasty and perfectly seasoned. And the accompanying vegetables were delicious — slightly overdone-​looking rosemary potatoes but amazingly tasty and some excellent battered courgettes. Nice bread but butter and had to ask for olive oil (for which I got a strange look, which being an Italian restaurant is strange in itself!!!)
Same for the service. I felt it was slightly haughty and they were deeply confused by our order when dispensing cutlery. But on the other hand, they made fresh lemonade on request despite it not being on the menu (though it should have been), and the lovely elderly proprietor circulates and checks on every table personally.
A mixed bag then, but a great meal. The menu changes constantly and is a touch pricey, though you can get 2 courses for a superb £15 meal.