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If eating out in the Maidenhead area is represented by Handel's Musick for the Royal Fireworks, the restaurant at Fredrick's Hotel is La Rejouissance - all excitement, challenge and exuberance. Described as larger than life the same could be said of many of the regulars with the result that there is seldom a dull moment at Fredrick's.

If you're thinking of a romantic a deux, think again. The experience of eating there is all part of the process and a wide range of dishes representing new thought in European cuisine is there to delight. The excellent staff help make the experience a memorable one. A fairly terse wine list has some interesting revelations and house wine is a £22.

Tempting options for lunch include sandwiches served on thick white or malted brown bloomer, whereas light bites such as macaroni and cheese or handmade scotch egg are equally popular. The main menu brings you starters such as pork and apricot terrine followed by grilled lamb steak in mint and redcurrant sauce, served with rosemary roasted new potatoes. End with a plum tarte tatin and enjoy the wide range of wines, champagnes, beers and ales from their excellent bar.

The Chequers Brasserie in Cookham Dean has been considered one of the better gastro pubs in the Thames Valley for the last fifteen years. They offer a seasonal menu supplemented by daily blackboard specials, all sensibly priced. Wooden beams and an open fire greet you on arrival at the Chequers, and there is a small intimate bar area with comfortable seating; and dining is either in the main older part of the building or a conservatory.

Regular favourites among the starters include - seared King scallops with a crayfish tail risotto and an orange piquant syrup and foie gras parfait, toasted brioche, truffle oil and watercress salad - and from the main courses, fillet of smoked haddock with a soft poached egg and hollandaise sauce or roast rack of lamb, celeriac and potato boulangère, curly kale and shallot jus. While you could wrap your meal up with desserts like chocolate and honeycomb cheesecake or blueberry fool with toasted sponge cake.

On Sundays and Bank Holidays they serve traditional British roasts. An extensive wine list is available as well as real ales from their bar.

Maidenhead residents can't seem to get enough of the Cinnamon Tree, a Bangladeshi and Indian cuisine restaurant, which arrived on the culinary scene in 2009. In just the span of a few months, it has become very popular with those who love the fiery side of Indian cuisine, tempered only by some of the fine wines and beers on offer. Relax with friends over a tasty meal in this Bath Road restaurant, or walk in for the special Sunday buffet which provides many choices at reasonable prices.

Begin with starters such as king prawns marinated in a special sauce and fried, or maybe a selection of kebabs and tikkas. Move on to the tandoori specials or try some of their other tasty specials such as barbequed duck with tomatoes, green peppers, onions and garlic, cooked in a freshly spiced sauce. Fish lovers should try their mach tenga, fresh salmon pieces lightly cooked in a sweet and sour sauce and biryani aficionados will just love some of the choices available.

The Thai Square group of restaurants reiterate the now common knowledge that Thai food has gained an international reputation based on the popularity of their tastes, textures and flavours. The décor is simple and yet embraces the Oriental element with flair. Across their restaurants, they have more than a thousand different dishes, an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary menus that are healthy and low in fat, and ingredients for all the dishes are authentic, freshly flown in from Thailand.

From the choice of starters, the steamed scallops with ginger and spring onion and the crab claw in butter served with chilli sauce are a real delight. From the main course options the Thai green curry is particularly good, as is the deep fried sea bass with herbs and chilli powder, or the prawn in crispy squid, making it a step above the average Thai restaurant menu.