There are tasty times ahead down ‘At The River’ following the launch of a stylish restaurant/bar at Caversham Bridge.

Jeremy Duckett and Michelle Bunce are hoping to tantalise diners’ tastebuds with their delicious modern cuisine including chilli, lasagne and steak.

The pair, both 39, and fellow director Jake Bunce, have splashed out £15,000 to transform the former sports bar Sawdy’s into a warm, relaxing place to chill out for a leisurely lunch or evening meal.

The pool tables and sports memorabilia have made way for burnt orange décor with luxury brown leather sofas and pictures of modern art.

Central to At The River’s new look is a tranquil open sun terrace, which overlooks the water below.

“The previous owner was walking away so we decided to take it on and get it up and running again,” said Ms Bunce.

“We believe we’ve turned it into a nice relaxing place to be. A bit upmarket but affordable.

“There are few nice bars in Caversham to go to which serve great food.

“We have a terrific chef called Oliver Iles, a great terrace which is a real sun trap – there are lots of unique selling points.”

Guests gave the new eaterie in Bridge Street the onceover at an official launch party on March 12.

The site has had a chequered history but Ms Bunce, who runs her own building company, reckoned they can succeed where others have failed. “It’s been a high end restaurant and a sports bar, so we decided to pitch somewhere in the middle,” she said.

“We have done all the work on a shoestring and we are pleased with the result.

“People have been really surprised with how we have transformed the place.

“I think the key is consistency in food and service.

“If you tasted our food you will be back.

“Caversham is a challenging place, but I think it will take off. We are somewhere like nowhere else.”

At The River, which is closed Mondays, serves food from 3pm to 9pm Tuesday to Friday, 12 to 3pm and 5pm to 9pm on Saturday and 12 to 5pm on Sunday.

Visit www.theriverbar.co.uk for more information.

probins@reading-epost.co.uk

Site navigation

• Home
• News
• Business
• Sport
• Entertainment
• Lifestyle
• Jobs
• Property
• Motoring
• Classifieds

• A A