Superb food, wonderful wine, lovely atmosphere and great service! Loved it!❤️
My visits to London are generally more about memorable culinary experiences than about tours and landmarks. Last night, we had an "unforgettable" dining experience at Little Duck, a small restaurant in Dalston, East London. Small because it's entirely intended to be that way.
The restaurant is essentially the kitchen and the dining area is one large communal table around the kitchen. All meals are cooked in front of you (no glass dividers). You can hear the chefs talk, the dishwasher do the dishes and the service staff put the plates and cutlery together. You would think, it would be chaotic and noisy. It's not. The entire ambiance is of hushed elegance, quiet efficiency and fantastic (entirely freshly prepared) food brought to your table by the server (but the Chef could also easily just slide it over to you on the giant table).
We had the fish stew (OMG!), the lamb, and the pasta. Portions are not large but enough to share. You can read the fancy descriptions for all these items on their menu but it was like the best homemade meal you'll ever eat. It's not cheap but still feel we got great value for the experience and the quality of the food.
Great place if you want to try something that's not your ordinary run-of-the-mill restaurant dining.
Mostly delicious and consistently fresh and inventive. I do think their prices are a smidge too high at times but we had two dishes today that were absolutely outstanding and frankly worth any price (oxheart and lamb broth). Feels very homey inside and atmosphere is lovely, welcoming and relaxed.
Let's begin with the Tuscan fish stew; it was simply divine. It might just be the most flavorful and aromatic seafood dish you'll ever taste. The soused sardines with kohlrabi, paired with a creamy sauce, mustard seeds, and dill, offer a distinct and delightful taste, making it an excellent choice for a cold starter. As someone who loves pickles, I found every pickle, whether served alone or incorporated into a dish, to be exceptional. The bread stands out with its unique tang on the outer crust. Additionally, the zhoug paired with the white beans and tahini dip proved to be a harmonious combination.
The ambiance inside is both intimate and inviting, with the counter seating being a particular highlight. I'd recommend opting for it over a regular table. From there, you can watch the kitchen in action and observe the chefs at work, enhancing your overall dining experience.
Honestly what a good meal. You can feel a lot of effort is being given to make the food that delicious. Simple, subtle flavours with fresh seasonal ingredients. The trilece was one of the best desserts I have ever had. Also the wine and cocktails, just chefs kiss.
One of the best restaurants in London, I’ve been too. The food is delicious, but also the atmosphere, the counter where you eat it and where the food is made just in front of you 💔 A very special place!
Intimate setting so was lucky to get the table for 4 by the window. Great service! Some interesting flavours - good to finally try one of the Duck sister branches!
Had the opportunity to dine here on a busy Friday night. Food overall was of excellent quality, however quite small amounts for the price and we left wanting more despite ordering 2-3 dishes per person. The vibes and atmosphere were fantastic, particularly on a Friday. Service was friendly, although our plates were not changed the whole meal (despite having bones, seafood shells etc on them). Overall the food and wine are excellent, but cost not always reflected in the quantity of food or level of service.
Loved the experience from start to end, we both left feeling very impressed. Very delicious, and the quail was probably one of the best meat dishes I’ve ever eaten. Really recommend, and loved the wine choices & vibes too. Will be coming back :)
An amazing find here in Dalston. Biodynamic and interesting combinations. And such an amazing collection of drinks all centered around pickling.
Had our three year anniversary dinner here and it was a dream. Ordered quite a few small plates and they were all delicious! Perfect space for a romantic dinner, we will be coming back!
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