Our punter says

Easily located in a good spot in Balham, The Red Duck has a modern contemporary vibe and décor. Our visit takes place at lunchtime and we realise that the atmosphere probably would have been higher in the evening. Even so, there’s a conscious effort to cultivate a relaxed atmosphere for midday diners.

The menu includes a varied range of dishes, with each section nicely balanced by solid vegetarian options. While it doesn’t have detailed descriptions of each dish, the staff are knowledgeable when asked for their recommendations The pricing is above average but once we try the dishes we realise the food is worth it.

The Sichuan vegetable dumplings are light and delicate, with the fresh, clean flavours of the soy dipping sauce complementing the soft, vegetable-packed dumplings beautifully. The panko prawn balls contain juicy minced prawns encased in a seriously crispy panko shell – served with The Red Duck’s house pickles, the dish has the ideal balance between sweet and sour. The three-mushroom fried rice has a real depth of flavour, and the rice is slightly sticky and packed full of mushrooms with rich umami – it’s a dish that’s so good, you might completely forget about eating any of the meaty options on the menu.

For me, there are two standout dishes that I’d highly recommend everyone try: the jasmine tea smoked ribs and sweet chilli fries are definitely a must. The ribs completely fall off the bone in their sticky, sweet and smoky glaze, while the fries are fluffy on the inside and crisp on the outside despite being soaked in a delectable sweet chilli sauce. Bill for two, including service: £112 Atmosphere: 8

Service: 8

Food: 9

Total: 25/30

Emily Mather is an area manager for an international cosmetics company and lives in West Sussex. She eats out once a week and loves Italian food. Her best dining out experience was at Marcus Wareing’s The Gilbert Scott in London.