The Duke of Cambridge Organic Pub Review
The Duke of Cambridge in Angel, London, is the role-model for any company that aspires to be green and ethical. It's the first pub to get the Soil Association certification and you can feel its pioneering spirit.
This pub hasn't gone organic just because it's trendy or good business to do so. It's organic because its founder Geetie Singh really believes that's the only way to go. The attention she's paid to green and ethical details is not something you see every day.
There's a little card on every table with a timeline outlining the pub's ethical and sustainable progression, showing how much has been given careful thought -- from banning air-freighted products and only sourcing British organic fruit and veg,to being on a green electricity tariff and having organic tampons in the dispenser in the ladies' loo.
We dined in the pub's restaurant section, which has mismatched tables and chairs that, like the saucers for the organic palm oil candles, are clearly second generation. Whether it's done to create a friendly ambience or to be eco-friendly we don't know, but it fulfills both goals very nicely.
The second-hand furniture and commitment to all things sustainable add to the ambience of The Duke
Our starter, a watercress salad with smoked sprats, beetroot, apple, and a boiled egg with horseradish sauce, sounded more exciting on the menu than it was to eat. It was tasty, but not delicate enough for us. We would have liked the flavours to mix more.
The main courses, on the other hand, were both delicious and incredibly filling -- beef and root veg pie with Savoy cabbage and a leek risotto with Comte cheese and green leaves.
The risotto was full of flavour and cooked to perfection and the pie had a good crust with lovely lean and tender bits of beef and flavoursome potato and parsnip underneath. The gravy could have done with more seasoning, but it was still a very nice pie overall.
Being serious chocolate fans, we were disappointed by the dessert. We had been looking forward to a creamy and smooth organic and Fairtrade chocolate pot. But it was too hard, too sweet and slightly grainy.
The wine list, however, was more than impressive. It boasts of around 40 wines from around the world, including England, and they all come with detailed tasting notes and 'organic status' which explains whether it's certified (organic), biodynamic, vegan etc. If we were to be really annoying, we would say it would have been nice if the certification bodies were mentioned there too.
When we left at around 9pm the pub area was absolutely packed -- and we do understand why. While we weren't hugely impressed by the starter and dessert as restaurant food, the main courses were great and we would consider it all Michelin pub food.
But one thing is for sure: no pubs or restaurants we've been to (and that's a good few) can compete with The Duke when it comes to drinks, sustainability, ethics and initiative.
[box]Essentials: A three course meal for two at The Duke of Cambridge will cost approx £60 and a pint about £3. The pub is close to Angel Station. 30 St Peters Street, Islington, London, N1, England.[/box]
Quality
Value
Ethics
Green
