Dukes Head, Little Bursteadback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I visited the Dukes Head yesterday evening for a lazy late summers night outside by the pond.
We were given table service by one of the very happy and friendly barmen so that we didnt need to move all evening.
There was a great selection of real ales (most of which we tried!) that were all in great condition.
The Food was perfectily cooked and just the right size without being too bloated.
The food is clearly all from fresh ingredients and made to order and so the quality is reflected in the price and portion size.
This isnt a big portion out of the microwave/frier type of place that some people might be used too!
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Small Portions and hugely over price, same as the drinks, with rude unhelpful staff.
Never order sunday roasts as you only get child portions.
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Overall, our drinking/dining experience at the Duke's Head was so poor that we shall never return. It began when we ordered a Hendrick's gin and tonic and a mojito. The Hendrick's was served with lemon instead of cucumber, for which it is not only famous but was also advertised on the menu, while the mojito tasted of medicine. We replaced the gin's fruit with the vegetable and replaced the mojito with a draught beer which was fine. We ordered a pizza and a roast chicken dish; the gravy accompanying the chicken did not go well at all, and the pizza was dry and cold! Upon paying the tab, we asked why the charge for the mojito was not removed (having returned it after one sip), and were told that we would still have to pay for it because "nothing was wrong with it" and we "simply didn't like it." It became clear at that point that short-term revenue was their priority over customer satisfaction. Worst pub dinner yet in Essex; never again!
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An evening of mixed fortune at this beautifully presented restaurant.
The food was abolsutely delightful, especially the duck. However, this was let down greatly by the appalling service. Having been placed in the main part of the restauarnt on our own we were then neglected for the rest of evening. No drinks before the starters, no drink with main meal. The manager then seemed to notice he had neglected us and offered coffees on the house which we agreed to.
Strangely though these were presented to us as our main course plates were removed. No option for a dessert menu was ever offered!!
The attention to customers was sorely lacking and is such a shame for the food was exquisite.
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I had hoped to eat at The Old Dog Herongate but needing to book first and not having a telephone without a withheld number (strange rule of theirs) this was impossible. I did try emailing them but they never responded. We therefore opted to go to the Dukes Head at Little Burstead. What a lovely pub - not posh, not pretentious - just serving good honest food with a smile and at a very reasonable price. We had a lovely meal for three with dessert, wine and coffee for �45. I am so glad we could not get into The Old Dog after all - we have found a new favourite pub in the Dukes Head.
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'Twas on a Monday lunchtime and the place was fairly empty. Lovely day, so most people were outside. No smoking indoors, but that will be everywhere soon.
The London Pride tasted fine, but it took the one barmaid ages to get a nearly full pint. The usual cardboard pub grub, but plenty of it, apart from the one amongst us who went for the disappointing scampi. They brought a magnificent tray of sauces, so no realistic chance of a topup of ketchup later. Surprisingly long wait for the food, considering how few people were in there, but the general experience was positive. Maybe they have more staff on at busy times?
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The Dukes Head,
At last we found a pub that has not a chav in sight.
I really love this pub and have had some great times up there. When our friends come to stay we always go to the DH as the atmosphere is so warming and the staff are great. The food (although it is chain food) is really lovely, big helpings and always nicely cooked. I really cannot fault this pub and I would reccommend anyone to go there for a drink and some food. It's lovely to sit out the front on a summers eve and watch the wildlife in the pond which is outside the pub. I think that the person who wrote the above message must of gone there on an odd day. I have been there many times and have NEVER been dissapointed.
Many thanks to the lovely staff.
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It could be so nice but it has been taken over by a chain and as a result is souless.
We stopped for lunch there. They forgot to bring our drinks to us (we had to remind them when the food arrived first). My friend's sandwich was fine but mine was a steak sandwich made of the toughest beef known to man and they had also forgotten to add the red onion. Add to that the anaemic over salted chips and the combination wasn't really satisfying. I don't think I'd recommend this pub on the basis of my experience.
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