Little Duck | The Picklery

Had the opportunity to dine here on a busy Friday night. Food overall was of excellent quality, however quite small amounts for the price and we left wanting more despite ordering 2-3 dishes per person. The vibes and atmosphere were fantastic, particularly on a Friday. Service was friendly, although our plates were not changed the whole meal (despite having bones, seafood shells etc on them). Overall the food and wine are excellent, but cost not always reflected in the quantity of food or level of service.

Nice lunch experience with interesting flavours. We stopped by for a quick lunch, and had the ox tongue and black fig salad with some pickles for starters and bread. The dishes are to share so they are smaller and they are quite pricy - however the flavours were very nice and it was a good experience.

Let's begin with the Tuscan fish stew; it was simply divine. It might just be the most flavorful and aromatic seafood dish you'll ever taste. The soused sardines with kohlrabi, paired with a creamy sauce, mustard seeds, and dill, offer a distinct and delightful taste, making it an excellent choice for a cold starter. As someone who loves pickles, I found every pickle, whether served alone or incorporated into a dish, to be exceptional. The bread stands out with its unique tang on the outer crust. Additionally, the zhoug paired with the white beans and tahini dip proved to be a harmonious combination. The ambiance inside is both intimate and inviting, with the counter seating being a particular highlight. I'd recommend opting for it over a regular table. From there, you can watch the kitchen in action and observe the chefs at work, enhancing your overall dining experience.

My visits to London are generally more about memorable culinary experiences than about tours and landmarks. Last night, we had an "unforgettable" dining experience at Little Duck, a small restaurant in Dalston, East London. Small because it's entirely intended to be that way. The restaurant is essentially the kitchen and the dining area is one large communal table around the kitchen. All meals are cooked in front of you (no glass dividers). You can hear the chefs talk, the dishwasher do the dishes and the service staff put the plates and cutlery together. You would think, it would be chaotic and noisy. It's not. The entire ambiance is of hushed elegance, quiet efficiency and fantastic (entirely freshly prepared) food brought to your table by the server (but the Chef could also easily just slide it over to you on the giant table). We had the fish stew (OMG!), the lamb, and the pasta. Portions are not large but enough to share. You can read the fancy descriptions for all these items on their menu but it was like the best homemade meal you'll ever eat. It's not cheap but still feel we got great value for the experience and the quality of the food. Great place if you want to try something that's not your ordinary run-of-the-mill restaurant dining.

Unsung gem. Everything about this place is great. Delicious drinking vinegars if you don't want alcohol, fantastic natural wines if you do. Great pickles. Menus are always simple but elegant. It's really intimate, sitting at the bar and watching the kitchen at work is a treat. Charming, knowledgeable staff. Excellent.