The Duke Wanstead — Restaurant in London

Your time at the pub sounds unforgettable! Stepping into that bustling venue, brimming with the vibrant energy of laughter and animated conversations, has the power to transform a simple outing into something truly remarkable. It's heartwarming to hear that you not only enjoyed yourself but also became fully immersed in the lively atmosphere that enveloped you.

I can vividly picture the scene: laughter bubbling through the air like a joyful symphony, mingling with the enthusiastic cheers and playful shouts of camaraderie. These sounds reverberated off the pub's rustic wooden walls, which were adorned with a rich collection of memorabilia that told stories of nights past. Perhaps the walls featured framed photos of legendary bands that had played there or quirky signs that added character to the space. In the background, upbeat music—likely a lively mix of classic hits and contemporary favorites—pulsed through the venue, creating an electrifying ambiance that drew everyone together in a shared celebration of life.

Engaging in spirited conversations with friends and fellow patrons must have added layers to your experience, fostering a profound sense of community. That feeling of connection can make the space feel even cozier and more inviting, almost like a second home where strangers become friends over shared laughter.

It's fantastic to know that you savored every moment, from the cheerful clinking of glasses filled with frothy pints to the animated banter floating around you like a warm embrace. Each sound—a hearty laugh shared over a funny story, a friendly toast that echoed good cheer, or the playful ribbing between friends—contributed to an intricate tapestry of joy and excitement. The way these moments intertwined created a lively atmosphere that made it hard to leave; the energy, the warmth, the excitement—they all wrapped around you like a comforting blanket.

Those moments, rich with connection and shared joy, often transform into cherished memories that linger long after the last call. The experience you had is the kind of outing that stays with you for years, leaving you not just with smiles but with delightful stories to recount and share with others. You’ve added another beautiful chapter to the book of your life, one that will surely be reflected upon with great fondness in...

Yesterday we visited The Duke for a Sunday roast. I was there a couple of times in the past and it was always lovely. So I invited my friend and her son, who came all the way from Paddington. The biggest let down from the start was our waitress, a ginger haired lady. We sat in the garden, where it was only us and two other tables. She took 15minutes to come and take an order from us. We ordered starters that were nice and arrived quickly after. And some roasts, and one roast to also take away. It took 1 hour 10 minutes for us to receive roasts. It was not tasty and potatoes were hard as if it was left on the counter, forgotten about and heated in a microwave. Other people who ordered later than us received it within 5-10 minutes and were finished by the time we got ours. The worst part about the roast was the take away one. Our waitress did not inform us the pub doesn’t do take aways when we ordered, and she brought it unwrapped, said she has no bag and suggested I put the gravy in a coffee cup with a lip and a hole in in my bag. I explained we can not carry it like that and we don’t live close by, she got rude and started rolling her eyes. When I requested to leave the take away roast out, she said “of course you will not pay”, I was doing you a favour and rolled her eyes and walked away. Not sure exactly what favour she thought she was doing, as we pay for the service and the food, but her attitude was the worst we have ever seen in a long time. Needless to say me and none of my friends will never return or recommend this place to anyone. That woman was horrible and innapropriate and one staff member like that ruins the whole face of...

A pub populated by young monied professionals and staff who get the job done. Neither is a bad thing in itself, you might be a young monied professional in this up and coming area looking for a place like this. Nothing inherently wrong with that. The grub is decent, the drinks are drinks.

I noticed a plaque by the fireplace donated by previous regulars to a former landlady in honour of her many years service, and the fact that it wasn't removed when the pub was gentrified shows the current manager/landlord has a heart. But it also serves to point at what I felt was missing here, a real connection the Duke's role as a social hub for the whole community, not just the young and wealthy.

But, they are not a charity and I accept that this is a commercial enterprise. In a country where 200 pubs might close in any given week they need to go where the money is. Fair enough. But I feel it right to point out the spirit of the place, which is commercial. It is doing an excellent job in reflecting the way the area...