The conversation went like this: ‘Mmm’... ‘Mmm’... ‘Mmm’ and several times more when we tasted a new ingredient on our plates.
We each had a bit of the other’s meal and everything was a taste sensation.
We had come across The Waterfront pub when we parked at Pewsey Wharf a few months ago to do a country walk.
It is in an idyllic spot and back then we had a drink in the pub which is upstairs, but the bistro was closed due to the chef/proprietor Carl Games catering at the Concert at the Kings charity concert at All Cannings.
So deciding to give it a try we went there on a Thursday evening. We didn’t know what to expect as there is no menu online.
The bistro, which is on the ground floor at the rear of the pub, was open and there was a family of six eating inside. We were given a friendly greeting by the waitress. Inside it was cosy with clean tables and subtle background music playing.
We were given an evening menu and there was also an extensive specials board. Keith chose the salt and pepper fried squid (£6.50) to start and I had the duck liver parfait (£6).
The squid was cooked to perfection. It came with a wonderful sweet chilli and coriander dressing. The duck liver was smooth and with it came smoked duck, a tangy onion marmalade and enough pieces of toast for both of us.
The specials board predominantly featured fish but Keith chose the pan roasted duck breast with red wine, orange and thyme sauce, with mustard mash and sauteed savoy cabbage (£15.95).
The duck was perfectly soft and pink and the cabbage and sauce gave a wonderful contrast. The mash tasted a bit lumpy to me although Keith thought it was more of a crushed potato consistency, it didn’t matter – he loved it.
I had the bistro burger (£9.50) which was a generous portion of tender beef. On the bottom of the bap was home made red coloured chutney which I hadn’t come across before and at first I wasn’t sure I liked the idea of it, but it grew on me and added to the burger. With it came thin chips that were full of flavour and a salad of rocket, onion, tomato and other ingredients that tasted fantastic.
The portions were generous so we were unable to sample desserts but the choice looked appealing. The service was attentive, efficient and friendly and this was a happy and relaxed place. The bill, which included a Coca-Cola and half a cider, came to £41.10.
Will we go again? Absolutely yes.
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