Duck on the Pond Long Itchington — Restaurant in Stratford-on-Avon

Review for CINNAMON ARCH

What an absolute travesty. Ruined our night.

We attended as a group booking for a friends’ birthday including some youngish children.

Table booked for 7pm.

We came a little early and had drinks at the bar so they knew we’d arrived but ended up seating ourselves at 7.

No one came to give us menus. We finally flagged someone down to order some poppadoms but from there all service just ceased.

A long while after the two poppadoms were gone, we had to again corral someone to take our order.

This was a shambles. They couldn’t take starters, mains and sides at the same time because “the pad was too small” (have 3 pages running at once?), so we had to repeat ourselves and eventually had to shout out types of dishes and have people hold hands up if they wanted it. No one was confident the order was accurately captured.

Starters arrived after a bit and were fine.

And then nothing.

Kids started to get upset and asking after the food. After a couple of hours, one of group asked if her family’s food could be boxed to go because it was so late for the children. They said yes but nothing happened and she had to ask many times and then got snapped at by the staff saying they didn’t know when it would be ready.

2 and a half hours later…

We were still sat waiting and zero staff had come to explain progress or offer any apology.

Small tables around us had come and gone and I saw plenty of takeaway bags.

When we enquired at 9:30pm where the food was, they said it was ready.

Still nothing.

We asked again and advised another quarter of an hour.

We eventually gave up, paid for poppadoms and starters we had and left.

Our group had to find dinners at takeouts and supermarkets on the way home.

The staff were aggressive and unapologetic. The kids meals should have taken priority, at least when asked the first time. It was only chicken and chips.

I think personally they got greedy. The pub was jam packed with diners and they were doing takeout orders too.

They accepted more business than they could fulfil. And there was no communication between kitchen and front of house, and no management or accountability of the hospitality process.

A group booking of our size isn’t unusual for a restaurant. Maybe take preorders if you know your kitchen can’t cope?

We met other diners outside whom had also had poor service and even been squared up to by staff wanting a fight.

Personally, they don’t deserve to be in business the way...

Nestled amidst the picturesque countryside, the Modern Classic Pub exudes an air of contemporary sophistication while maintaining its rural charm. As you enter, the ambiance seamlessly marries modern aesthetics with rustic accents, creating an atmosphere that feels both stylish and authentic.

However, one aspect that left a dim impression was the literal dimness – the subdued lighting. While it aimed to evoke a cozy atmosphere, it inadvertently veered towards a bit too dim for comfort. It cast a shadow on the dining experience, making it challenging to fully appreciate the aesthetic details and read the menu comfortably.

Speaking of the menu, the prices were notably high, casting a slight shadow on the overall enjoyment. Although the cuisine boasted a modern twist on classic dishes, the elevated prices seemed to outshine the culinary innovation. This pricing strategy may have dimmed the appeal for some patrons, making the dining experience feel more like a luxury than a leisurely countryside indulgence.

Moving on to the beer selection, the offerings were satisfactory but fell short of wowing the palate. While the pub prided itself on a modern approach, the beer selection appeared somewhat conventional, and the prices leaned towards the higher end. It left one yearning for a more robust and diverse selection that could complement the modern twist the pub aimed to showcase.

In conclusion, the Modern Classic Pub, with its contemporary countryside allure, falls short of brilliance due to the dim lighting and high menu prices. The beer selection, though satisfactory, could benefit from a more adventurous spirit. Despite these shadows, the pub still manages to capture a certain charm, and with a few adjustments, it has the potential to shine as a true gem in the modern...

The Duck on the Pond, gastro pub, in Long Itchington, sits on the main A423 road from Southam in Warwickshire to Coventry City, opposite the Leamington Road junction where the actual duck pond is.

It is wide which allows for a decent sized car park for a pub and the adjacent large landscaped garden; accessible via the ramp, has 5 & 6 seater glass-topped tables with Rattan chairs. There are outside speakers which adds to the ambiance with barely audible music. A nice touch we thought.

Non-slip steps and ramp lead you into the pub which is tastefully decorated. Apart from a typical bar with chairs, stools and tables, there are two more larger rooms for dining or sitting comfortably chatting and or dining with friends etc.

The pub also has a covered smoking area at the rear which is off the corridor to the toilets.

From what we saw, the menu is modest in size and freshly prepared in the kitchen. The portions and ingredients are, in my opinion, excellent but, perhaps 20% more expensive than the microwaved meals of the chain pubs. They do fine burgers as well but there is no fast food here. However, we did not think the waiting time excessive.

The staff are friendly, helpful and attentive without being intrusive.

This pub is well worth a visit and does get busy without being crowded.

The pub had set up a large screen TV in the garden for the 2018 World Cup and was successful. Of course, that is gone now.

It is one of three pubs in the village and all three cater well for the village and passing trade. All three have...