The Ugly Duckling - Telford

The service was inconsistent, but the food was excellent. Service rating: 3 stars; Location rating: 4 stars.

Went here for a birthday meal. Be advised that the while you wait freshly baked bread is not a starter but more than sufficient for 4 people to share. I recommend the crispy duck leg small plate. I was pleased to see Ravenswood Zin on the wine list, it 's one of my favourites but hard to come by. Service: 3 Location: 3

Food took quite a while to be served. Had chicken caesar salad. Chicken lovely but bacon overdone and not much of it, croutons rock solid, hardly any dressing. Charged for red wine and coffee we hadn't ordered, so had to ask for amended bill Service: 4 Location: 3

Shocking dining experience! An absolute travesty!! This used to be a superb pub (service and fayre); in the days when its exterior was adorned in a lovely duck egg blue, in keeping with it’s wonderfully quirky name. Stood at the bar we were ignored by the 3 members of staff engaged in private conversation. After a few minutes of awkwardness, we had to ask for some service. The menu (which had suffered more than it’s fair share of spillages) was not very extensive (only 3 grill choices). The wine menu was poorly constructed of single sheet papers squeezed into a narrow binder, not easy to open and peruse (it fell apart in my hand). The wait for food was substantial and our 2 sirloin steaks were under par. Not very hot, too much fat, and under cooked but still a weighty price at £24.00 for 8ozs. We weren’t asked if everything was ok and given the poor staff patronage, we lost the will to complain! I ordered a second glass of wine and was alerted to a conversation between two members of staff who couldn’t locate my order. So, one advised to ‘just give him Malbec, as it’s already open’. I hadn’t ordered a Malbec but it was poured and they gave it to another member of staff, without telling him it was the wrong wine. He duly apologised but much uncomfortable toing and froing ensued, while we were trying to eat, to locate the wine I had ordered which was to no avail. Staff clearly lack managerial direction. A disappointing experience; a clear demise of service and standards in this establishment, we couldn’t wait to leave! NOT recommended and will NOT be going back!

Very happy and welcoming place. Staff are brilliant. Food drinks: Very good. Service: 5 Location: 5