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With a smart black frontage opposite a splendid Grade I-listed Georgian church, the revamped Duke of Wellington is a descendant of the Pig’s Ear and Brown Dog . Its first-floor dining room, next to the kitchen, is exceedingly cramped, with eight tables squeezed into a former sitting room that retains its magnificent fireplace. A better option might be to eat in the lively – but very noisy – downstairs bar, which has a similar if slightly more rustic menu. The likes of Deuchars IPA, Adnams Broadside and London Pride are supplemented by bottled beers, including Früli, and there’s an appealingly concise wine list, from which Puglian Primitivo was a good-value choice. Chargrilled sirloin of 30-day-matured Longhorn beef impressed, but came with pasta gratin, spinach and crumbed chunks of bone marrow which didn’t unite harmoniously. Better was the not-quite-hot plate of flakily soft pork cheeks cooked in Pedro Ximénez, with cream-laden pommes mousseline and baby carrots. A cup of layered peanut butter, chocolate and griottines was every bit as decadent as it sounds and cleverly paired with unsweetened milk ice-cream. Staff remained sunny, despite the squeeze.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009
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I am a fun loving caring woman who loves to travel and explore the world. I love to scubadive and snorkel and get a great sense of peace and...
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How are the mighty fallen!
Two of us had dinner here a few weeks ago mid-week and it was appalling beyond belief, with the honourable exception of our waiter who was charm personified. Actually, the wines were reasonably priced too.
The restauarnt was far from over-full, but everyone but everyone was kept waiting an eternity for their food.
When ours arrived - eventually! - the bread was burnt, my partner's steak was wrongly cooked and pretty chewy. For myself, the pork chop was cold. I sent it back, and blow me, if the same piece did not come back a few minutes later piping hot - a clear case of a hot convector oven or maybe even the dreaded microwave.
At least when the bill arrived, my pork had been removed from the bill and our waiter, on his own initiative, did not charge for our coffees.
The message came back, via our waiter, that the manager said the head chef was off - as far as skills are concerned, so was his understudy! - but did the manager bother to show his face? Don't be silly!
Other than as your local for a drink, this pub is to be avoided!
What a real find, a gem! We went for dinner with a friend couple and we all agree the evening was faultless. a wine list extensive and affordable (and they have the vintage shown on the wine list!), food was amazing, cheese from the Fromagerie, good sized sirloin steak from the Ginger pig and perfectly cooked, cuisine a bit inventive, well balanced combination of flavours...for a 3 course meal, 2 bottles of wine and some calvados for the guys it came up to just over 200£ for 4...will be back very soon! The Chef, Mr Smith is doing a brilliant job, keep going!
We had Sunday roast upstairs here last weekend and really weren't too impressed at all. After nearly an hour after we'd ordered the waitress finally came to say that the meat was 'resting' and would be along soon, even though the couple on the table next to us had their food about 10 minutes after sitting down. My partner had the roast beef which did look good, but my roast shoulder of pork was very light on actual edible pieces of meat (alot of tough grisle and some bone), but the flavour was good. But the vegetables of carrots and cabbage were little more than a garnish - 2 pieces of carrot and perhaps a tablespooon of cabbage. I asked for more vegetables, and received a small bowl with enough for 1, for which we were charged £4 in the final bill. When the bill came there was no mention made of the long wait and service charge of 12.5% was automatically applied. Considering the pork was £13.50 and the beef £16.50 I think the quality and overall experience was very poor value for money.