Subject: The Drunken Duck, Barngates, Ambleside Author: Cecilia Campbell Date: 4/2/2009 Body: RATING Total: 22 Great atmosphere 5 Home cooked fresh food 5 Plenty of flavour 4 Good value for money 4 Service with a smile 4 Telephone: 015394-36347 www.drunkenduckinn.co.uk Original review: October 28, 2006 for lunch The Drunken Duck Inn & Restaurant at Barngates between Ambleside and Hawkshead (sort of), pretty much deserves its fab reputation. This is an upmarket gastropub, one of the most well-known in the Lakes. As the name implies it is also an hotel and to top it all it has its very own micro brewery, Barngates Brewery at the back. The Drunken Duck sits on a crossroads, and if it's pub food and a pint you are after, come here on a sunny day and sit across the road where you can admire the fantastic views from a number of tables. Our most recent visit was at the end of October, so we opted for the indoors, and had lunch in the restaurant. It was the last Saturday of half term, but we managed to get a table for four without a booking, a bonus. There is a pub menu in the smaller pub section, and a full á la carte in the restaurant section. We all went for a main course each. Our friend and I had grilled fillet of seabass with mashed potato and mussel chowder, which was delicious, although the flavours were almost too subtle. Cooked beautifully though. Our other friend went for the hand dived seared scallops with warm green bean, Cumbrian air-dried ham & tomato salad and burnt orange sauce. She enjoyed it, and thought the salad complemented the scallops well. Martin had two kinds of duck, and he thoroughly enjoyed the leg, but would have liked the duck breast a little pinker. On the whole, though, we all had a wonderful meal, which seemed a bit less pricy when you figure in the amuse bouche, home made bread and the truffles that came with the espresso. The atmosphere and interior is relaxed, in the restaurant as well as the pub, and the staff are friendly. The Drunken Duck deserves having the reputation as one of the county's best eateries. Its sister establishments includes Chesters at Skelwith and the Punchbowl at Crosthwaite. We have reviewed the latter. By Cecilia Campbell   Cancel