The Drunken Duck

Whilst in the Lake District for a weekend away, we decided we ought to try out the highly recommended restaurant, The Drunken Duck. Nestled high on a hill overlooking the village of Ambleside, this is a pub ideal for an evening retreat after a long day of walking.

The bar area is of a relaxed atmosphere, men in walking boots accompanied by their dogs propped up the bar whilst drinking local ales. We were promptly escorted through to the restaurant area, which felt more formal and after placing our orders, our meal began with an amuse bouche by way of a small cup of chicken broth, which has been foamed and filled with lashings of crunchy bacon. Homemade bread followed, in the form of miniature loaves.

I chose the ‘crispy cod’ to start, which came on a bed of homemade tartar sauce and was beautiful. Crunchy on the outside and flaky melt in the mouth cod on the inside. Luke opted for the kipper scotch eggs served with aioli and confit of tomato. The meat was perfectly cooked but the egg yolk was still runny.

When ordering, one of the mains took my fancy, aptly named ‘The Drunken Duck’, a whole roasted cherry-glazed duck, with red cabbage and duck-fat potatoes. Sadly it was for two to share, and no-one would share with me. Alas, I chose the Cod, red lentil dahl, cauliflower pakora, caper puree. Cod again? Yes I know, how boring of me, but it was delicious. A generous sized portion, the lentil dahl was fluffy and perfectly spiced and seasoned and the cauliflower pakora. Well. I hate cauliflower. But this was to die for.

Luke chose the Venison, which came perfectly pink and served with beetroot and blackberries and a venison suet pudding. How seasonal?!

As a pudding fiend [on our last holiday I couldn’t decide between puddings so I had 3], this was the course I was most excited for. I asked the waitress what she would choose between the apricot soufflé with brown bread icecream and butter sauce or the chocolate marquise with peanut icecream and salted caramel. She couldn’t choose so I went for the apricot soufflé. I was not disappointed. It came out miles about the ramekin, perfectly cooked and fluffy with just the right amount of apricot sauce inside.

All washed down with a lovely two lovely bottles of wine.

I would recommend this to anyone 100%, the food is perfectly cooked and the attention to detail is brilliant. The waiters really know their stuff too, explaining each course in great detail should you choose to ask.