Puddleduck phone (mobile) 0167168473 from Egypt. Add +2 (or 002) to the beginning if phoning from abroad

It is third time lucky for this little restaurant at the end of St Joseph hotel road.

It was first known as the home of the Lantern restaurant and still has lanterns outside. We didn't rave at the quality of food or service at the Lantern when it was here. The Lantern has since moved to the road, opposite the Lotus hotel.

Pals followed the Lantern into the premises. We saw lots of similarities between the Lantern and Pals. We didn't like it enough to think it was worth choosing in preference to other restaurants that were easier to find and a little cheaper.

Then came Puddleduck. Puddleduck closed the restaurant for a while between ownerships to get things sorted. They have redecorated in various shades of lilac and purple, with matching seat swabs covering the same iron chairs that were there before.

A welcome change is the banning of smoking. Once upon a time every restaurant in Luxor allowed smoking. One by one, many that cater for European tourists are restricting either the times that you can smoke or exactly where in the restaurant you can sit if you do smoke. Puddleduck is one of several who have now banned smoking altogether. This may cause problems for some, but as a British restaurant most of its clients will be used to that now and the rule is likely to be welcomed by most.

The restaurant describes its fare as 'modern cuisine', but don't let the title put you off if you like traditional English. There may be the odd tagine and an indian option but by and large the choices are what we would describe as international English: excellent English food, often with a novel twist.

Puddleduck is open from noon until 10pm Thursday - Tuesday (closed Wednesdays). There are separate lunch and evening menus. In some other restaurants the menus appear bigger, but they tend to list variations on the same theme and when you get down to it, there is not much variety. At Puddleduck the shorter menu is very varied and although there are some constants, other items change weekly. As well as variety there is novelty with options we have not seen elsewhere in Luxor.

Prices are on the higher side. First courses are in the LE20 - LE30 bracket and main courses are mostly between LE55 and LE65. We tend to use steak as a common denominator, because it is the main course most widely available. Steak with a sauce is LE60. Desserts are mostly LE25 - LE30. To charge these food prices the meal has to be good. And it is. Well presented, hot and tasty, we had no problems with any of the courses on any visit. A small point if you come for a meal, but we especially liked the way the excellent coffee is served, pre-made in coffee pots, with plenty for two cups, rather than the frequently-seen sachet and pot of water. Service is friendly and reasonably quick, although, as elsewhere, there may be delays in the kitchen if the restaurant is busy.

To get to Puddleduck, go to the very end of the road that has the entrance to the St Joseph hotel, past Arkwrights, the 2S supermarket, Taste of India and the Royal House hotel. Puddleduck is just round the corner on the right.

Should you eat here? If money is no object there is enough variety to make Puddleduck a regular eating place. You would, however, be missing some other good restaurants and missing the chance to sample a greater range of dishes from Egypt and from other continents. Prices at Puddleduck are relatively high so you might balance that and look for the value-with-quality meals at places like the Ritz, Casa Blanca, King Tut and Jewel of the Nile for some evenings and come here for special occasions. But whether as a regular or for one or two occasions, yes, at some stage, eat here you certainly should.

 

Review updated March 2010
Prices as at March 2010