Duck and Waffle

We visited the Duck and Waffle as a surprise treat for my husband's birthday one very cold, sunny day in January. Before we even reached the restaurant itself we were greeted by an amazing sight of London in the glass fronted elevator which zoomed us up to the 40th floor where the restaurant is situated.On entering the restaurant you walk into a seating area with an island bar in the middle.As with the rest of the restaurant this was bathed in light from the large glass windows. Our coats were checked  into the cloakroom and we were escorted to our table.
Unfortunately by the time we got there all of the daily  specials had gone (note to self; book an earlier table next time) so we just had the lunchtime menu and the wine list to peruse.At this point it's really difficult to concentrate on either the menu or the  views both of them vying for your attention. My husband asked if they had a non alcoholic beer,which they hadn't but they offered a non alcoholic cocktail instead. As he didn't know what to have our waiter said that he would bring a surprise.Out came a wonderful pomegranate based cocktail which went down very well.My son and myself chose a bottle of red (which happened to be the cheapest .A lot of the wine being above our price range).Then the difficult part.What to choose from the menu.The problem wasn't that there were pages and pages of dishes to choose from it was that the dishes that were there all sounded so good we took ages trying to decide.Changing our minds a few times.We thought that if we each had a different starter then we could all have a taste of 3 different dishes. A good move!!

 I chose the Spicy Ox Cheek Doughnut.I had seen this dish posted again and again on social media and had been so wanting to try it.I was not disappointed.Served with apricot jam and smoked paprika sugar the dish had a sweet kick but was totally savoury if that makes sense..Beautifully tender ox cheek in a fluffy savoury doughnut sat on top of just enough of the apricot jam.Absolutely fantastic!! My husband chose the Foie Gras Creme Brulée .Again a sweet sounding dish but definitely not.The foie gras brulée topped by butter roasted lobster was melting and creamy.The lobster sweet and fresh.Served with toasted brioche on the side this was an indulgent and delicious starter.Well worth trying.The last starter we chose was the Wild Cornish Pollock Meatballs served in a lobster cream with Parmesan.Once again a beautiful dish .Light ,fresh fish 'meatballs' served in a lovely creamy sauce and a sprinkling of parmesan. Well balanced with the parmesan not overpowering either the meatballs or the sauce,this dish was brought to the table in a little cast iron casserole which was piping hot.A nice way to present the dish.

For the main event I chose the eponymous Duck and Waffle.Crispy confit duck leg sitting on a waffle with a fried egg on top.It came with mustard maple syrup in a little jug that was drizzled on top. The only thing that put me off this let's face it unusual dish was the fried egg as I am not a lover of fried egg white.This year I have decided to eat more of the things that 'I don't like' and in this case I was right to do so as the egg combined with the rest of the dish was not at all like the rubber egg white that can so easily happen but was actually very tasty.Once again although a 'sweet ' dish this was so well balanced that it worked so well the different components complimenting one another to make a very good plate.My husband and son decided on the sharing plate of the Longhorn Rib Eye from Thirsk.This was served with roast onions, heritage radish and love it or hate it Marmite hollandaise.This dish actually looked like a work of art on the plate.The rib eye was cooked medium (as recommended) and came sliced on the plate dressed with the onions and radish and green leaves. Nestled in the middle was a marrow filled bone .A little spoon provided to scoop out the silky delicious marrow in the middle.A really tasty extra.The steak had been cooked to perfection and had a fine flavour to it.A good piece of beef.Marmite hollandaise.What can I say ?We are a family of Marmite lovers (apart from 1! There's always one) and so were quite happy to try the hollandaise.I am sure that even if you are a Marmite hater that you would love this as we did.A very clever balance of the Marmite. Just enough to flavour it but not too much to overpower it.Perfect.An idea I might have to steal.With our mains we ordered a side of Ratte Potatoes described as potatoes with pine and Marmite. I couldn't detect a taste of pine but once again there was just the subtle hint of Marmite which made for a different but very tasty potato dish.

In between our mains and desserts the waiter very kindly brought out a litte plate with happy birthday written in chocolate on and little delicious sweet titbits ,crowned off with a candle.A lovely touch.
For our desserts two of us went for the Orange Posset which was smooth and fruity topped off with an Aperol granita and a wondeful pineapple crisp.My son opted for the Pistachio and Dark chocolate Macaroon Sandwich which was as grand as it sounded.The plate being dressed with drunken cherries and crystallised white chocolate . A very nice end to a fantastic meal and a wonderful experience.
A meal at the Duck and Waffle is not just about the food.Although that's the major part.Its about the all round experience, the service and the views.An experience that I'd highly reccommend and really want again.