Review on The Muddy Duck
Nestling in the heart of the pretty and peaceful village of Hethe, a short drive from Bicester is The Muddy Duck, located next door to the Church of St. Edmund and St. George, surrounded by the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside. A listed building since 1988, it was formerly called the Whitmore Arms when it went out of business and was put up for sale, eventually being bought by a local man, fresh food and catering expert Nigel Harris.
The interior has been lovingly refurbished whilst retaining much of the original features and is a charming environment to savor a pint and snack by the cosy fireplace or a relaxed meal in their Malthouse restaurant, with an open viewing window of the kitchen situated between the two areas. Al fresco dining can be enjoyed on their pretty terrace, complete with a Valoriani, Tuscan built wood fired oven.
The kitchen sources impeccable ingredients for their dishes, many come from their local network of trusted friends and farmers. There is a real dedication to free-range, high welfare standards and sustainability, but when necessary they will source further afield to obtain first-class quality products.
Kick off with chicken liver pate, honeyed figs and rosemary pangritata followed by a main course of 12-hour shin of British beef with root veggie bubble and squeak, oxtail and red wine gravy or maybe crispy skin sea bass with aubergine caponata, clam and saffron sauce, served with new potatoes. The choice of desserts could run to plum tart tatin paired with their own bramble ice cream or how about a baked vanilla seed cheesecake with a boozy berry compote.
The Muddy Duck has an exciting wine list to complement the food compiled by wine expert, Ewan Lacey from Channel 4's The Cookery School.
Cuisine
Gastro pub / British
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 12.00 - 2.30pm Mon-Fri (12.00 - 9.00pm Sat (12.00 - 4.00pm Sun)
Dinner: 6.00 - 9.00pm Mon-Fri
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card