Eighteen Restaurant at The Mercure Castle Hotel

Enjoying a prime location in this supremely Royalty-conscious and delightful town, the Grade II listed hotel overlooks Sir Christopher Wren's Windsor Guildhall and is a mere 2 minute walk from the main gate of Windsor Castle. The hotel has recently completed a major refurbishment with stylish decor and sumptuous furnishings.

As with any first class hotel the restaurant features largely in the overall pleasure of guests, and cosmopolitan menu embraces classic dishes combined with some of the more far-reaching trends of modern cuisine.

The restaurant opens at 7am and together with the Pennington Lounge and Windsor Bar works its way through the natural cycle of breakfast, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon cream tea and dinner. The a la carte dinner menu could start with mosaic of foie gras, truffle dressing and toasted brioche or pan fried scallops, coriander purée, caramelised garlic and a port reduction. Pan fried terrine of potato, wild mushroom and goat's cheese is served with a champagne dressing and one of the most interesting flavour packages seen on the menu is the tortellini of langoustine, emincé of leeks and bisque cappuccino.

Main dishes offer roast rack of lamb, fondant potato, baby vegetables and rosemary sauce or honey roasted duck breast and confit of leg, galette potatoes, baby leeks and Madeira sauce. Vegetarians will be drawn towards the spinach and ricotta cheese risotto, parmesan shavings and summer truffle.

Desserts display a well-tuned selection that will cater for those with space left to accommodate and others looking merely for a change of flavours. Pear and almond tart is offered with a sauce anglaise, and the lemon posset is presented with a citrus sorbet and Viennese biscuits.

The wine list explores all the traditional growing regions of that particular world, coming up with some interesting propositions.

The new Eton Room offers private dining for special occasions for up to 10 guests.

In the Pennington Lounge, you can enjoy morning coffee watching the Guards procesion or a truly indulgent afternoon cream tea, a speciality costing from £7.50 per person. You can savour a glass of wine from £4.60 for 175 ml in the fashionable Windsor Bar.

Their well set out Website gives details of facilities for conferences and private parties, as well as seasonal menu and other changes.