The Duke, E11

Official site of The Duke - www.thedukewanstead.com

Facebook page of The Duke - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Duke - www.thedukewanstead.com

Facebook page of The Duke - www.facebook.com

Woodforde Wherry, Nelson Pieces of Eight, Pride, Hobgoblin, courage. Tried the first two and they were in very good condition, both £2.40. Good first impression before this with brass door panel gleaming at entrance & polished glasses shining from bar surround showing a sign of care & attention to detail. Bar is essentially a central island with all pumps to the narrow room at the front & two serving ‘hatches' to the rear, green upholstered banquette seating curves around the whole & two further rooms, almost snugs, at far end seemed to lean toward dining at lunchtime today. Well positioned plasma in front bar & huge tv in rear where walls are decorated with brewery & whisky mirrors and prints of foggy victorian London, also signed Hammers & QPR shirts in frames. Fish is prominent on food menus with 6 fishy dishes on blackboard & 6 more on ‘additional specials' board, incl fish of the week – battered hake + trimmings, £8. Other daily specials from £6 or sizzlers (eg cajun chicken or beef wi black bean sauce) £8. Slight smell of paint, so perhaps they've had a recent touch up? Solid local feel.

Ales on were Old Speckled Hen and Young’s Bitter, the latter at the very reasonable price of £2.60 a pint. The sign outside said that food was available, but I didn’t see any sign of it, nor any menus, during my Wednesday lunchtime visit. This looks like an interwar pub to me, with its trademark brewer’s Tudor exterior. Inside it’s got a fairly traditional appearance, and the basic look of a neighbourhood local. It’s carpeted, with normal tables and chairs neatly spaced around the available space, and some cheap looking, but nevertheless possibly original, wood panelling. I didn’t spot any decor worth mentioning. There is, however, a spacious area to the right containing a couple of dartboards as well as a well-filled trophy case, possibly testifying to the sporting prowess of this pub’s darts enthusiasts. There were about a dozen or so customers in, including a group of blokes sitting at the bar, including one who seemed to know only one adjective, seemingly oblivious to the presence of ladies. The best thing to say about this pub is that the beer’s cheap. Although it does have some traditional characteristics, which normally endears a pub to me, I didn’t feel that comfortable in here. I’ve nothing particularly against it, although in a very old-fashioned way I still don’t approve of swearing in front of ladies, but it’s not one to which I’ll plan a return visit.