nonchalant napoleonic nibbles
41 Dean Street
W1D 4PY
London
Petite and perfectly formed wine bar and restaurant Duck Soup fits with the new pared down aesthetic that is so de rigeur at the moment. It does, quite disappointingly, not serve duck soup. Name aside, the menu is short, uncomplicated and affordable. The dishes are very well executed, very delicious and nicely presented. The fact that things change around so often will have me going back for lunch a lot. A meal of 2 starters, 2 mains and bread came to £15 a head which seemed very reasonable considering we were eating things like quail, deep fried courgette, baba-ganoushe and broad beans. Mhmmm, broad beans. Who would have thought that broad beans would ever be trendy, but there is no doubt that they are, peppered all over the shop in these sexy little eateries like diamonds round Elizabeth Taylor’s neck. I like broad beans so this trend is working for me just fine.
VERDICT – delicious, easy to order, easy to eat. A great place for lunch, with a nice and relaxed ambiance. I have walked past during evening service and it looks, to be honest, a little hectic and overcrowded. But then I am a real champion of the importance of personal space.
SURROUNDINGS – this is a very slimline joint. Do not go if you feel like lolling about in plush cushions and sitting for ages, as the wooden stools and often very crowded bar do not cater for a languid meal. However, it is stylish and elegant, and the food works in perfect harmony with the bare bulbs and white tiles.
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