The Moderation

This place must get really busy. Twice we called and twice we have been told they’re overbooked. Took the third time (three is a charm?) to finally get a table!
For me personally, I really wanted to go there and then tell people that I totally drink in Moderation. Good to have personal goals, right? :)
The Moderation is a really nice pub. It’s nice and bright inside, with a lot of art from Thailand and Singapore (at least that’s what the information on the menu says!). I like it’s design, and my own best is the round table with the tree trunk as a base! Awesome!
We’ve got our table and ordered some beers and jumped on the menus. I was so stoked when I realised I can order laksa there! Coming from Australia where Asian food is very popular, I’ve been craving laksa for last few months, and I finally got it!
We started with shared starter — melting goat cheese. It was very tasty! Definitely a good way to start, however I can imagine I would struggle with eating the whole thing on my own, as it was quite big!
Then I had my Singapore Laksa and my partner had Mee Hoon Goreng (sort of fried noodles with stuff).
Laksa itself was huge! I was full after half of the bowl. It was very much what I have been craving! Nicely spiced, coconut-​y, delicious.
The noodles were very tasty as well, however the portion was much smaller than mine.
We stayed for a bit, drunk some beers (and very tasty merlot) and enjoyed the atmosphere. I saw in one of the corners there were some board games, so I assume you can grab one and play if you feel like it.
You can also grab a newspaper if you have a need for some news ;)
Quite few beers on tap and some bottled.
Staff was very nice to us, and our food came very quickly.
I will definitely be back again when my laksa craving hits — or maybe even earlier to try many other dishes!

Came here twice while on a business trip. The service is efficient and food and drinks arrive quickly. I enjoyed the fish and chips, with the homemade tartar sauce being the standout. I came back and got the melting goats cheese starter and the mod burger. Even though the place was very busy, everything came out piping hot and so delicious. Best burger I’ve had in a long time, great flavor and cooked just right. And the goats cheese starter was incredible. I wish I’d discovered it earlier in my trip! The only reason I’m not giving five stars is because the chips are not memorable. I’d come back in a heartbeat!

Gorgeous food, I love Thai and am really picky when it comes to forking out for restaurants but it was delicious. Had half duck and a platter type rice dish, very fresh and delicious.

Overrated. Nice atmosphere. Pork chops topped with marmalade? Chilly drafts. from the door.

This is a great place.
Id like to keep coming back so I can up my rating to a 5.
Had the fish and chips for dinner one night before the Sunday quiz.
Chips were fresh and thick while the fish was nicely breaded and light.
Not greasy or unappealing in the slightest.
Try a pint Doom Bar and have a great night

The Moderation is a great pub for food or a few beers. I would agree that they need to improve their chips. But apart from that good steaks and a good Thai curry. The owners and bar staff are really good and it is probably the best pub in Reading.

Belonging to a group of three Reading public houses, we principally came to the The Moderation to eat on a Saturday night.
We called ahead and a reserved table was there for us on arrival.
The menu is European and Asian but in a broad sense with popular dishes from Fish n Chips through to Balinese Lamb Curry they were all lovely though personally I thought the chips served with Peri-​peri Chicken not up to scratch.
One thing to say is the size of the Appetisers; HUGE and great value! If I’d known, I genuinely would have just stuck with a main or for a lighter meal just stick with an Appetiser.
Food service was odd though: they could do with explaining on the menu’s to order from the bar.
When it came to paying, I went up but they said they’d bring the bill over which they did but doesn’t that suggest they bring a card machine to the table? No, in the end I went up to pay.
Oh, talking of drinks, again there is a brilliant selection: For Wine, you could even select a Berkshire wine and beers, an excellent selection of draughts and ales.

Have to agree with previous reviewer. The Moderation is a totally different pub to the old pre-​refurbished version. Good menu, nice range of beer and lots of pleasant seating. A great pub for a chilled night out. The owners also own The Lyndhurst and The Warwick Arms, all in Reading.