The Bull, Ditchling - www.thebullditchling.com

I have previously eaten at The Bull in Ditchling West Sussex (over a year ago) and enjoyed the food that time so decided to pay another visit. It seems popular with locals so tables were filling up by 7:30pm, the waiting staff were very friendly & helpful and the decor and atmosphere were pleasent.

We ordered a selestion of bread and oil to nibble on, which was very nice and then the mains arrived. Sadly a major letdown from what I had expected. I ordered Smoked Duck, which arrived stone cold (very cold from the fridge) I suppose having a chef for a boyfriend who often makes a fantastic duck dish I had expectations higher then what they delivered! The Mango in the salad was very syrupy as if it was out of a tin/plastic container and not fresh. I can tell the difference. The waiting staff & manager were helpful enough and offered to heat the Duck up as the skin & fat were cold and most unappetising so I agreed to it being cooked. It arrived back hot with the same salad so I just ate it, not enjoying it very much at all.

We looked at the dessert menu, we were unimpressed with the choice of bitter & pippy desserts or icecream. Gooseberry dessert, summer terrine, or a raspberry dessert (all full of bittersweet flavours and full of pips) so we got the bill and left! It seems very little thought goes into the choices on the menu and it isn't descriptive enough. Perhaps the waiting staff should have pointed out the salad would be cold (Duck) I'm not in a hurry to ever go back.