Reviewed
4.00

With apologies to duck lovers, I have to say that there's something vaguely amusing about ducks, and a menu devoted almost entirely to the eating of them is similarly amusing. The Crispy Duck, located in Headington just beyond the shops on the way out of the city is certainly quirky in this respect. Even the vegetarian options mostly include duck eggs. A few non-duck menu items exist, but you have to look hard for them, nestling at the bottom of the list.

Stifling our chuckles, we ordered the mixed starter for two people, which included prawns in filo pastry, some rather soggy spring rolls, prawn crackers and the like. These were good if unremarkable, and came with a variety of oriental sauces. I followed with a crispy duck sandwich, which mimicked a steak sandwich in ciabatta but replaced the steak with the eponymous crispy duck. My friend opted for crispy duck of the roll-your-own variety, where one is provided with pancakes and fillings and left to one's own creative devices.As would be hoped, the duck was in both cases excellent; tasty and, above all, crispy. We did need a couple of side orders (green salad and fries) to complete the effect, though.

We finished with coffee, being slightly disappointed by the far less creative choice of desserts (chocolate fudge cake again). The quirkiness of the menu even extends to the coffees, which come with fortune cookies. At £28.70 for two people, including drinks, it was certainly reasonable. The main courses were delicious and the atmosphere relaxed and informal. Apart from the slight disappointment of the dessert menu, this restaurant was a pleasant surprise. The main courses are respectably priced at between £5 and £7, and there's enough choice to appeal to vegetarians and (whisper it quietly) those who'd prefer not to eat duck. Duck lovers may disapprove, but those who enjoy eating them will love it. And, to be fair, you don't have to choose duck.

Marcus Munafo