Homemade Focaccia
No.1 Duke Street

No.1 Duke Street

1A Duke Street, TW9 1HP, Richmond Upon Thames, United Kingdom

Cafés • Steak • Seafood • Fast Food


"This is the 2nd time I have visited The Duke and the experience this time was not as good. Unfortunately, the waiting staff seemed very disorganised and were not very attentive when taking the order. The cutlery, serviettes were not brought out all at once but they kept coming backwards and forwards. One of the party had the gnocchi and when the waiter asked if we wanted anything else, ie, sauces, etc, they requested some parmesan cheese. The waiter returned to say that we could have parmesan but there would be an extra charge of £1 ! I have never in all the times I have visited restaurants have been asked to pay extra for parmesan cheese. We then asked to speak to the manager, who came over and said she would have to speak to the chef as she was a temporary manager. I am not sure what that had to do with making a decision on whether or not we had to pay for the parmesan. I pointed out that a member of the party was having the fish chips but had requested at the time of ordering that they did not want the mushy peas or tartare sauce. We would certainly not have expected to receive a reduction in the price ! The temporary manager then said she did not want to argue about it so would bring a portion of parmesan for no extra cost. I was a bit annoyed as there should have not been any argument at all as surely a small grating of parmesan should be free anyway, or the price incorporated in the cost of the meal !"

Poggi's Trattoria Piacentina

Poggi's Trattoria Piacentina

23 All Saints Road London, W11 1HE, United Kingdom

Beer • Coffee • Italian • Burgers


"The first few times I went to Poggi 's I had an excellent time. It has however greatly declined in quality. I went last week and the prices had gone up however the quality had declined. The wines on offer are basic Italian wines which should not be more than £20/£30 per bottle however they sell a basic 'Primitivo ' wine for close to £40 and a 'nero d 'avola ' for close to £20. These are basic wines from medium quality houses. I do not mind spending money for good wine, I do mind over paying wine by a factor of 2/3 though. The 'focaccia ', which is usually excellent was not fresh due to the fact that they had decided to slice it before hand (likely over lunch) and by dinner time is was dry. The meat 'tangliere ' was more bare than usual and the parma ham given was from the end of the leg. Again, I would not mind if they didn 't over charge for it. The Mushroom sauce for the ravioli was cold and the wild bore was very dry. Given that they are both about £20 and the portions small I 'd say that 's disappointing. The really upsetting part is that I 've always been a fan of that place however there are plenty of good restaurant in the area and for the price that one pays at Poggi 's these days, and the quality of the service and food, I would recommend trying the plethora of other Italian restaurants in the area, with also a better selection of wines."

The Duke

The Duke

48 Duke Road, TN37 7DN, Hastings, United Kingdom

Wine • Fish • Steak • Cheese


"This is the 2nd time I have visited The Duke and the experience this time was not as good. Unfortunately, the waiting staff seemed very disorganised and were not very attentive when taking the order. The cutlery, serviettes were not brought out all at once but they kept coming backwards and forwards. One of the party had the gnocchi and when the waiter asked if we wanted anything else, ie, sauces, etc, they requested some parmesan cheese. The waiter returned to say that we could have parmesan but there would be an extra charge of £1 ! I have never in all the times I have visited restaurants have been asked to pay extra for parmesan cheese. We then asked to speak to the manager, who came over and said she would have to speak to the chef as she was a temporary manager. I am not sure what that had to do with making a decision on whether or not we had to pay for the parmesan. I pointed out that a member of the party was having the fish chips but had requested at the time of ordering that they did not want the mushy peas or tartare sauce. We would certainly not have expected to receive a reduction in the price ! The temporary manager then said she did not want to argue about it so would bring a portion of parmesan for no extra cost. I was a bit annoyed as there should have not been any argument at all as surely a small grating of parmesan should be free anyway, or the price incorporated in the cost of the meal !"