Ducks at Aberlady, East Lothian Restaurant, Dining, Location, Address
Ducks at Aberlady Restaurant East Lothian
Ducks at Aberlady Restaurant Review, Scotland : East Lothian Eating Out Guide Information
Ducks at Aberlady, Main St, Aberlady
+44 (0)1875 870682
Formerly in Edinburgh, Ducks Restaurant has relocated to the peaceful village of Aberlady in East Lothian, 25 mins down the coast from Edinburgh. It remains much the same but operates together with Kilspindie House (26 rooms) and Donalds an excellent Bar/Bistro all under the ownership of Malcolm Duck.
The charming building dates from 1638 and is located on the south side of the high street roughly in the middle.
Ducks at Aberlady restaurant review
29 Mar 2010
We have just come back from a super evening at Duck’s Restaurant in Aberlady.On arrival we were a little unsure which door to go through and resorted to ring the bell at the reception. A friendly waitress answered the bell and led us through a tiny corridor through the homely pub area and into a larger bar.
This bar was furnished with tables and comfortable low leather seats. We were presented with an extensive wine list and a satisfactory menu. Our drinks orders were taken, by the same friendly waitress, a small bowl with the largest olives I have ever seen appeared on our table and an ice bucket with our wine, La Croix arrived shortly after. Malcolm Duck the proprietor introduced himself and warmly welcomed us.
We were left alone to study the menu, which was quickly done, as it was clear and concise. The only difficulte thing was to choose, as it all sounded delicious.
Under the starter section we had a choice of gravadlax, wood pigeon, quail breast, mackerel or watercress soup.
For main course lamb rump, sea bream fillet, duck breast, risotto and Sirloin of mature Buccleuch beef was on offer.
The waitress prepared our table and we were lead through to the dining room next door. All the tables were clad in white linen and furnished with large candles and one small duck ornament. I am not a fan of ornaments in general, but I could forgive the little name-sake things. We felt the atmosphere was cosy and relaxed though not informal or over familiar. Although the restaurant was busy with nearly all 48 covers occupied, including a party of 12 in the opposite corner of the room, we felt well looked after.
A basket with bread arrived. The bread was served cold and was a little on the heavy chewy side.
For starters Adrian had chosen quail breast – smoked pancetta, confit leg, fried quail egg, baby leaves with red wine jus . I decided on gravadlax – cucumber pickle and Finnish mustard.
For main course Adrian had ordered sea bream fillet with crushed potatoes, spinach, wild leeks fennel confit, anchovy beignet and caper beurre noisette. If there could be any criticism of this, it would perhaps be that the anchovy beignet left a greasy coat in your mouth and the flavour of the anchovy was overpowering the delicate sea bream. The caper beurre noisette had a great sharp taste that cut through the heavy fish and potato flavours.
I couldn’t resist ordering the duck, thinking I had to eat duck while at Duck’s. My main course came with salardaise potatoes, creamed wild garlic, red cabbage and salsify. All elements of my dinner were cooked perfectly, however I felt the duck on red cabbage and creamed wild garlic on salardaise potatoes really belonged to two separate dinners. I enjoyed it all, but maybe not so much together.
Adrian chose chocolate fondant with Raspberry sorbet for dessert. I opted for the apple pudding – butterscotch sauce, spiced bread ice cream toffee apple, apple and cardamom puree. It was all truly lovely – we were not disappointed!
If we don’t leave it too long till our next visit we can choose from Rhubarb – rhubarb sorbet, rhubarb crumble and rhubarb fool, Scottish & continental cheeses and a trio of ice cream & sorbet.
As I know Malcolm welcomes both adults alone or adults with well-behaved children I imagine we will be back soon.
Ducks at Aberlady restaurant review online 29 Mar 2010
Donald’s at Aberlady, East Lothian – Review
Malcolm Duck’s sprawling whitewashed Inn located on Aberlady High Street is as charming and welcoming as Malcolm himself. Never a dull moment in neither building nor personality, never any doubt about whose guest you are and what floats his boat – original golf memorabilia from floor to ceiling. A great place to either while away the hours on a rainy afternoon or a dark wintery night (too wet and too dark for a round of golf anyway) – either in the well stocked bar or sampling some of the tasty offerings on the menu.
Donald’s Aberlady restaurant review – 9 Oct 2010
East Lothian Restaurants
Selected East Lothian Restaurants
**
Goblin Ha Hotel, Main Street, Gifford
+44 (0)1620 810244The food is fairly traditional and service variable but the setting is great – choice of bar or conservatory in a pleasant East Lothian village.
Goblin Ha’ hotel
Greywalls Hotel, Duncur Road, Muirfield, Gullane
+44 (0)1620 842144Seasonal opening : Open 1 May 2010 closes end of December 2010
East Lothian restaurant & hotel open again to non-residents. Greywalls hotel & restaurant has returned to being a hotel & restaurant after a brief change : Grey Walls Hotel
The Waterloo Bistro & Courtyard Bar, Haddington
+44 (0)1620 822100Waterloo Bistro Haddington
Dining review welcome
East Lothian Restaurant Review
The Rocks Restaurant, Dunbar, East Lothian – Restaurant Review Jul 2005
“Stumbled across this place whilst watching rugby and needed to get out of the cold in February! Warming, friendly and decent food.”
Rocks Restaurant +44 (0)1368 862287
The Linton Hotel restaurant review – online 20 Mar 2010
East Lothian Restaurant Recommendations welcome
Comments on / Reviews of Edinburgh Restaurants: info(at)edinburgharchitecture.co.uk
Scottish Capital Building Designs
Contemporary Scottish Capital Property Designs – recent architectural selection below:
Comments / photos for the Ducks at Aberlady Restaurant Review, East Lothian page welcome