Good Menu But Poorly Executed.
Reports of poor service seemed to have been ironed out and staff were both friendly and attentive. I am though disappointed to say that the food didn't match the hype. A starter of tuna sashimi was buried under a mountain of rocket and was bland. My partner’s main of duck with stir fry vegetables, seaweed and spring roll was poorly executed. The addition of a huge spring roll filled with duck and vegetables smothered by Szechuan pepper was inedible. This addition to the meal showed a lack of thought for what was being presented to the customer in the way of fried components. The seaweed was soggy, as was the duck skin. Schoolboy errors that should never have happened. My own main of mixed game platter was ok, however the meat was barely sealed let alone cooked The meal was however extremely salty with smoked bacon and the reduced wine sauce.

The final nail in the coffin came in my partner’s Cranachan desert. Served in a tall glass came four inches of cream, a tot of whisky and fruit puree at the base. The separation of the whisky from the other components did nothing for the dish and begs the question, who is carrying out quality control over what exits the kitchen?

I really wanted to like the Crooked Billet and the setting, service and waiting staff didn't disappoint. However for £65 for two with 2 glasses of average wine, the food is just not good enough. Less hype about good causes and more thought about the menu and attention to detail is what is needed. Until then I’m afraid to say there are others much better for the cost and with less hype!    [17 Feb 2007 04:27:18]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Lemon tart with raspberry sorbet

     ­Graham English   graham_police at yahoo dot co dot uk