The Duchess of Kent

I felt that it got to a point where I had to write about this pub. It is very local to us and I keep hoping that it will pull itself out of the hole it has fallen into. The decor and location are great. What seems to be letting it down is the:

a) Menu - it never hasn't changed for a long time, there is a specials board however

b) the specials board, call it timing call it karma, i always seem to miss out on the "nice" item on the specials board

c) the service - very hit and miss depending on the mood of the waitresses. They tend to be a little on the dour side.

d) the quality of the food - as it is quite expensive i don't always get what i feel i paid for

e) on sending back a steak, how hard is it to cook a rare steak? The result of then waiting 15 minutes for it not to come back and deciding to cancel the order?

This pub should really be a top destination for a nice dinner, however it seems to be resting on its laurels and not living up to expectations (or standards)

On the plus side the beer seems to be well looked after, it is in a great location (for me) and the decor is very nice.
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Philip
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, May 27, 2008

We have often used the Duchess of Kent as a great place to eat and take friends and family. Unfortutately that will now stop. Much like the last reviewer, we are sorely disappointed with the sudden turn around of food quality, on our latest visit.

The food took ages to arrive, and both course were cold. We brought this to the attention of the staff (who remain, thankfully ,friendly and courtious). Our main course was returned to the kitchen to arrive 5 minutes later, boiling hot obviously zapped in the microwave. On paying the bill we enquired whether the chef had changed and not suprisingly we were told yes. It is such a great shame as this pub was a fantastic place to stop of on the way home from work or otherwise to eat great food but we won't be eating there again.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, July 31, 2007

I really agree with the last reviewer. I live very near this pub and have visited often for a drink but we tried the food the other day and were shocked by the bad food and service. The batter around the fish and chips was soft and undercooked - more batter than actual fish, the spinach side (for £3) was not large enough for a small toddler, we had to ask for water 3 times before actually receiving any and teh dining room was quite empty and souless. I pointed out to the waitress that the batter was inedible and she agreed with us but it still appeared on our, fairly pricey for what they serve, bill! What a shame - it is so easy to get gastro pubs right but maybe this palce is aiming to high. Please avoid this place and walk just a few mins to one of the many gastro pubs in Islington that get it very right.
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weaselbear - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Monday, February 05, 2007

The Duchess of Kent has been my local pub for the last 3 years. I really enjoyed to go to that place. The athmosphere was great. The staff was very nice. The wine list was very interesting and the food was very good. For the few last months I don't know what has been going wrong there. The wine list changed and got ordinary. The food went down through the floor. And somehow the athmosphere changed. This is a such pity!
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Monday, November 13, 2006

A group of twelve of us went for lunch on Sunday. The food was excellent. I'd tend to disagree with the other comments on value for money. At £10 for the Sunday Roast this pub compares favourably with other pubs in the area.

Considering the size of our group the service was excellent. The staff were friendly and attentive and went out of their way to make us feel welcome.
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James
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, December 05, 2005

The printed menu is excellent, but the quality of the food seems to depend on who is cooking when you order. Sometimes you get what you pay for (it's on the pricey side for a pub), sometimes you feel ripped off. The tap beer options are not huge, but what they have is well selected. This is not a place worth going out of your way for, but it is a great addition to the neighbourhood for those of us who live nearby.
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Federico
Thursday, October 20, 2005

Nice pub and friendly staff but mediocre food especially for the price. I would go again for drinks only.
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Paul
Thursday, September 22, 2005

I've eaten at the Duchess several times and find the food unreliable - sometimes really delicious, other times mediocre. I suspect they have had staffing issues. As such it's a bit overpriced. However it's a great option to have if you live near by like I do. The pub is spacious and pleasant and the staff pretty decent and friendly.
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Chivs - View all reviews by this user
Sunday, September 04, 2005

I keep meaning to write a review about The Duchess, but it so easy to forget the good things and moan about the bad. This is a little gem, with good food, lovely service a buzzing neighbourly atmosphere. Try the fishcakes, they are great and no visit would be complete without the sticky toffee pudding. I have come here with groups at Xmas, with my mum, and with my boyfriend- its a perfect place to chill and enjoy great food and conversation. Word is obviously out as last night (tuesday) it was packed- and they have just started a quiz night too. Long live the duchess- perfect! Well done!
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Wednesday, August 31, 2005