Puddleduck

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 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 redecorated in various shades of lilac and purple, with matching seat swabs covering iron chairs. The restaurant was decorated again in 2010, in the multi shades of purple that are the Puddleduck theme. You just might notice the puddleduck logo elsewhere too!

The restaurant's selection is excellent. There are generally about eight different starters, including not only the familiar such as soup and paté, but more exotic options. A dozen or more main courses offer selections from several cultures, including egyptian, and choices from asian cuisine as well as european. By and large the choices could be described as international English: the sort of variety you might see at top class restaurants in the UK and Europe: excellent international food, often with a novel twist. Everything is cooked fresh, so if you have special requirements - for example because of dietary needs, let Jill or Mick, the owners, know and they will do their best to make any necessary changes to suit. If your requirements are very special it might be helpful to let them know in advance (see phone number and web site address below).

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 real 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 usually between LE55 and LE80. We tend to use steak as a common denominator, because it is the main course most widely available. Steak with a sauce is LE70. A small range of exquisite desserts are mostly LE25 - LE30. To charge these food prices the meal has to be good. And it is. Well presented, hot and tasty, succulent meat, vegetables well done but not overdone. 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 and as many refills as you can manage, rather than the frequently-seen sachet and pot of water.

Service is very friendly and quick without being hurried, although, as elsewhere, there may be delays in the kitchen if the restaurant is particularly busy.

Puddleduck is open from noon until 10pm Thursday - Tuesday (closed Wednesdays). It is one of several restaurants that have 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. 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 be missing some other good restaurants and missing the chance to sample an even greater range of dishes from Egypt and from other continents, so you might sometimes look for the value-with-quality meals. If you do like that sort of variety, try Snobs, Casa Blanca, King Tut and Jewel of the Nile for some evenings and come here for special occasions. If you just want to get to know a single menu and to enjoy some of the best food around, then you could make Puddleduck your regular restaurant for your stay. But whether as a regular or for one or two occasions - yes, eat here you certainly should.

 

Phone (mobile): 01067168473
Web site: www.puddleduck-restaurant.com
Review updated January 2012
Prices as at January 2012