The Duke, Richmond

Its time we made the distinction between nouvelle or haute cuisine and gastro pub food. Gastro pub food should be well made with good ingredients and hearty portions. The portion sizes in this pub are an absolute joke. I thought I'd been transported to a french restaurant in Mayfair for a moment. I've eaten at the Duke a few times now to be sure and it just doesn't improve. Sunday Roast should be a good plateful but don't expect it. I ate in there last night and had chicken and 'roast' potatoes. When it arrievd I would have burst out laughing if my wallet had not gone into shock. The chef obviously knows what he's doing (it's an open kitchen and I've witnessed him in action) but the portion size is just mean and I for one will not be going back until he improves it. The Racing Page had much more chararcter. This place is more of a restaurant than a pub. For the amount of money they make on the wine they should at least give you a decent plateful.

9 May 2008 13:54

The Roebuck, Richmond Hill

The refurb is now complete and they've made a nice job. Sadly yesterday (28/6/06) The menu was 'revised' and is not as appealing as it once was. Gone are the chicken Quesidillas and superb chicken curry. Now its more of a Berni Inn/Harvester feel, ie very bland and unimaginative. beer still good though. Landlord, please give us the old menu back, the Roebuck is a traditional pub and Cous Cous, Kedgeree & Tofu aint cutting the mustard.

29 Jun 2006 13:48