The Ugly Duckling — Restaurant in Forest of Dean

Not a great experience for my birthday unfortunately as I've heard good things about the food here. It started with complimentary appetiser roll with butter which was what it was but ok. Then followed by belly pork with honey with a little salad on top which was ok but forgettable. Mains was fillet of beef on a mushroom sauce which was ok except the beef was cooked very rare for medium rare and tasteless. My mother had battered haddock which was wet ,soggy on the underside of the batter and the chips were pale also a small bowl of veg which was slightly overcooked as the cabbage was soggy in the serving bowl hardly enough to share between two meals either. The young waitress was very good. Atmosphere didn't make me feel very relaxed and didnt stay for dessert. I came with some site workers two years before and they enjoyed it as there was a choice of a steak, curry as I think a steak is a staple in...

What a gem! Beautifully presented and delicious food. All credit to the chef for the wonderfully butter soft pork I had today and banana eton mess to die for. It is very rare I experience a dessert that is freshly made including the toffee sauce, and with flavours put together so well. Loved the surprise cheese roll to start which was fluffy, light and warm with glorious butter melted on top. Serving staff were absolutely wonderful and personable. This will now be our go to restaurant every time I visit my son in Lydney....

Fantastic. My photo taken with my terrible phone truly does not do this food justice. The best meal I have had in at least five years across Europe and North America.

Duck breast and potato rosti was superb. Duck was rich, flavourful and succulent. Potato rosti was intricate, savoury and crisp. Cheese and chive rolls with Netherend butter made the perfect appetiser.

Sat in the pub area as popped in on the off chance on a busy Saturday evening. Service was great, attentive and welcoming.

What a find....