The Queens

I ate here with a friend yesterday evening. The menu is has five options each for starters and main courses, in addition to a blackboard showing the chef's specials. For my starter I opted for the "Paysanne salad" from the board. It comprised of duck confit, bacon, capers and beans, and was delicious, although the slice of bread that accompanied it was a bit lacklustre. My pal had a tart of caramelised onion, tomato and goats cheese, a familiar combination, although none the worse for that. I thought the pastry was a little on the soggy side, but she didn't seem to mind. My main course of roasted skate with leeks and black butter was good - the fish was nicely cooked and the black butter was nutty and delicious. My leeks were under-seasoned, as was a side order of spinach seasoned with nutmeg. There was rather more than a "suspicion" of nutmeg too, which I didn't enjoy. My pal had braised belly of pork with chicory and a honey jus. It was fine, although a little bland. We noticed that, although we were the first party to be seated, as soon as my friend had ordered the pork, it was removed from the specials board. This struck as a little odd.

Overall, I think that The Queens is good value - our food was under £20 a head. Service is attentive, without being cloying, and the pub downstairs is a good venue for a digestif and glimpse of whatever match happens to being shown on Sky.
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Hannah
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, December 14, 2006