Had a superb lunch at the Frenchgate. They have introduced a credit crunch busting 2 course menu for £10.95. A bottle of Peroni wet my whistle (£2.80) and I began with the Smoked Haddock, Leek & Parmesan Tartlet with soft poached free range egg, hot and tasty, the egg yolk perfectly runny, crisp pastry perhaps slightly too hard. Next Confit Leg of Duck With braised red cabbage, spring onion mash & vanilla poached plums. A delicious combination, sweetness of the cabbage and tang of the spring onion in the mash lingering into subtle vanilla with the acid of the plums, the duck not fatty at all. I added a dessert of orange & cardomom creme brulee, soft and creamy with an excellently thin & crisp brulee top (£2.95). A jug of iced water was free. Coffee, tea and wines available at extra cost. For a total of £16.70 you should be beating down the doors for this top quality lunch bargain!
Frenchgate Restaurant and Hotel – Richmond