Sole & Duck Restaurant — Restaurant in Cambridge

Background - usually love this place and a regular and previous 5 star ⭐️ review. However tonight disappointed and will explain why. Whilst food as always was high quality we were sat on the left as you go in on the elevated area. A group of 6 were sat next to us who were the loudest group I’ve ever had to sit next to in a restaurant and totally obnoxious with it. The ladies in the group were actually screaming across the table. So much so you couldn’t hear yourself at all. I asked the waiter if he could ask them please to be a little quieter and he said no. It ended up with 3 out of 4 couples next to them moving to sit in the bar (including us as we were shouting at each other and couldn’t hear at all). At the end I asked them why this was acceptable as had put a dampener on our long awaited evening. I was informed that the six of them had paid over £1000 for dinner with pre ordered wagyu steaks etc. And there it is. My £200 tonight as a regular customer (usually once a month) was not enough to be treated with respect and not have my evening ruined. He who pays more can treat all the other customers with a total lack of respect and scream across a dining room all night causing everyone around them to have to move without an issue as they pay more. The manger could and should have dealt with this better. Regardless of the money they were paying they should not have been allowed to ruin everyone else’s night by behaving in this manner but it appears cold had cash is all that matters to sole and duck. I certainly won’t be popping along every month moving forward as they’ve made it clear where their...

I attempted to have dinner last night. Steak really expensive, at 39 and still have to pay extra if want vegetables. Steak sauce only one on offer is peppercorn, which is great if not allergic to cracked pepper.

WaIter was asked, if any other type sauces, but only option offered was, we just leave it off, expensive dish to miss one element without having alternative in its place.

The gentleman who showed me to my seat, did not want to acknowledge me after that at all.

The next young waiter offered me the allergy menu (has more ingedients highlighted - great idea).

After that I felt totally ignored. Even the manager kept walking past like I was invisible.

So as having just tap water, I put my coat back on, which didnt attract attention, surprisingly, as it got caught on the back of my chair, I was flapping around, not elegant by any means.

I got up, still unchallenged and left.

Must say they did have other customers of two or more turning up. Table for one, would not earn them much, maybe why I was ignored.

Very expensive, limited choices or wiggle room. Left very disappointed.

Tip : when someone eats alone, they still need to feel special and seen !

One positive; Parking nearby, diasbled entrance,...

(Probably) the best Sunday roast I’ve had, and definitely the best in Cambridge so far.

Lamb rump is my favorite. It falls apart under the fork and melts in mouth. Lovely lamb 🐑 aroma with a hint of mint. I expected steak kind of rump but this is way better.

The pork has crunchy crust, bouncy yet not rubbery skin, and is not dry at all. The meat also has delightful 🐖 piggy aroma.

Beef is perfectly pink in the middle. Tender with a bit of tendon. The beef flavor isn’t that distinct but the texture is good as well.

The carrot and parsnip slices are also properly cooked to creamy, and the tenderstem is also fresh. Potatoes and Yorkshire puddings are crunchy yet not greasy. Stuffy ball isn’t oily either, more like scotch egg minus egg.

In most places I would have to mush my food away from the gravy but this one is delightfully savory.

I was not sure about Asian fusion but yeah, Asian chefs never disappoint. All meat cuts are delicious and have their own characters, the veggies are fresh, and the even gravy is nice. No wonder there are so many regulars.

I’ve run past this place for years and thought it wasn’t convenient for me to stop mid way… well maybe in warm weather I can run here and eat and...