Le Petit Canard in West Dorset - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

We were really impressed with the food Cathy served us. It was a surprise for my mum’s 60th and did not disappoint. Cathy was so accommodating to our specific needs and provided such friendly service. We would definitely recommend.

Cathy & Gerry gave us a wonderful evening! The food was amazing and the service perfect. I would highly recommend them both.

Amazing 3 course dinner for 5. Easy instructions to heat and store food. Coconut ice cream to die for!

Lovely meal, food was perfect! Lovely service & reasonable pricing for quality of food. Would recommend to anyone and everyone. A must in Dorset!

We had a wonderful evening here. The food was superb. The menu was extensive and so tempting, something to suit absolutely everyone. The whole experience was fabulous. A lovely warm welcome, a great table, perfect service and lovely surroundings. Perfect.

Lovely food cooked beautifully Very pleasant restaurant, lovely front of house. Great choice on menu. Really worth a visit if in the area.

Warm friendly service, fabulous food, good choice of wine and catered really well for a coeliac. (Advised in advance). Definitely recommend.

My husband and I had a few days’ break in Dorset, and planned to have one restaurant meal out while there. Maiden Newton was a couple of miles from where we were staying, and I had found LPC on the ‘eat out to help out’ listings, so we booked. What a meal. I think I can safely say I’ve never looked at a menu and thought ‘yum’ about every option, it all looked fabulous. We were given an unexpected pre-starter of beetroot soup with horseradish creme fraiche which was divine, and set the bar for the rest of the meal. We were not disappointed. Everything from the homemade bread with our starters, to the perfect number of biscuits on the cheeseboard was faultless. I really cannot recommend this husband and wife run restaurant highly enough. I guess their 20 years of AA stars is testament to the quality. Would definitely go again.

Excellent food with a fairly broad menu, hard to find a dish that I didn't fancy. Great service and reasonably priced wine list. I would definitely recommend this and I will be coming back.

We were staying nearby and wanted somewhere to celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary - we chose here and very glad we did. We booked by email and the reply was friendly, efficient and much quicker than I expected. On arrival, we were greeted by Wendy who showed us our table and at the beginning we were the only ones there - but all tables were full by the time we left. Our orders were taken efficiently and whilst waiting, we were offered an amuse-bouche (on the house) of pea soup. I would NEVER have chosen this, but as it was free, thought I'd give it a go. It was delicious! My husband had the goat tartlet for a starter, which was very good. He then chose the steak, which melted in his mouth and I had the Pork belly - if only I could get mine as crispy as that! I then had the orange tart with marmalade ice cream - and he chose sticky toffee pudding (typical man). All of the above was delicious and the drinks a fair price. Very glad we chose here and we actually tried to get a table the next day, but unfortunately it was booked up. Highly recommended and hope to be in the area again, so that we can try something else from the lovely menu.

We visited Le Petit Canard as a family of four, whilst holidaying in the local area this summer. We felt lucky to have been able to dine there, as the experience was truly lovely. The owner was welcoming, helpful, engaged our children in conversation and advised on food choices for them, and the wine list had a good number of options available for us adults. The food was delicious, simply prepared and tasty, with a super range of veggies on the side. The homely feel and excellent service just made the whole evening a delight. We’d definitely return again when in the area. Thank you!

Had a really lovely meal at le petit canard while on holiday. Scallops in pea puree with bacon was gorgeous and so was the belly pork for mains . Would definitely recommend it

We have visited Le Petit Canard a number of times so we know what wonderful food to expect. We haven't been for a while and as we were not able to come on Valentines day itself we booked in for the 15th. Probably not the best weather to travel in but boy was it worth the journey. We both had the Dorset crab risotto to start which was just so,so tasty. The mains, i had the Venison which was cooked perfectly and so moist it almost melted in your mouth. My husband has the pork belly which he enjoyed immensely. For dessert, i had something from the specials menu - a selection of passion fruit desserts which consisted of a passion fruit jelly, a passion fruit brulee, passion fruit tart and a passion fruit ice cream. This was, without doubt, the best dessert I have ever had (even better than the one i had at Paul Ainsworth!). Ian had the chocolate and amaretto torte which was so beautifully chocolatey. I would whole heatedly recommend this restaurant - the service is impeccable and the food divine. Thank you for a wonderful evening,

We visited whilst on holiday for a Valentine's meal. I must say we thoroughly enjoyed everything from the little hearts on the table, roses, candles and every course of the meal was just lush. I had the pork and my partner had the beef and both were cooked perfectly. We had the 4 chocolate desserts with coffee and truffles and again they were so tasty we would definitely like to return in the future.

We went for Sunday lunch, the restaurant is dated yet It is quaint and oozes cuteness.The food was fresh, very well cooked and I feel very good value for money.The staff were attentive and didn’t over serve, I felt that they were very friendly.We will definitely go back for either for Sunday lunch again or to have the evening Menu.

We made a welcome return to this superb little restaurant in depths of glorious countryside in the village of Maiden Newton. Never disappointed - three individual courses with just enough choices - finishing with coffee and chocolates all inclusive in the total cost. This husband and wife team have been entertaining clients for 20 years, that alone speaks volumes for a recommendation.

Been a few times and never been disappointed. Beautiful food, splendid choice and the service is second to none. As as far a I’m concerned excellent value. This visit was special as we were with friends and guests as a treat for very kind use of fishing lakes for special needs children. I was anticipating the evening to be a good one and it was. Everyone concerned left suitably fed and watered with huge smiles of contentment. Roll on next time ❤️

Excellently presented and fabulously cooked food, great service and worth every penny of the bill, definitely go back.

This little restaurant reminded me of an old fashioned tea room selling cucumber sandwiches. Very low on atmosphere, one almost hesitated to speak above a whisper. Welcome was pleasant and tables comfortable. The food was good without being exceptional but for me the wine list was uninspiring with nothing that leapt out on you. Not on my "return to list".

The food here is fantastic and you wont be disappointed, the couple who own and run the restaurant are brilliant, i highly recommended that you have a meal here you will not be disappointed, its 5*.

Following a recomendation we ate at this restaurant on Saturday evening with 2 friends. The cosy seating area caters for about 20 diners and has a welcoming feel the moment you walk through the door and greeted with a warm smile. The menu caters for most tastes along with specials and a decent wine list. it is one of the finest meals I have eaten in a long time, this was echoed by the other three in the party. Great food and service in a great setting. What more do you want? We will be back - soon I hope!

We had a wonderful meal at this lovely little restaurant, while staying nearby in the village for a few days. Thank you Cathy for your warm and kind hospitality, which was friendly and knowledgeable but unobtrusive. The food was excellent and the wine too. We would recommend a visit here and hope to be back as soon as we can.

Fabulous food and an extensive menu and wine list which, given the quality of the dining experience, made our meal very good value. The chef and the front of house/maitre d own the restaurant: both are completely charming. Highly recommended.

Well worth a visit to this restaurant, the food is excellent, as is the service, top marks to everybody.

This restaurant's atmosphere was brilliant, we were welcomed with big smiles and nothing was too much for the guys to accomodate. The standard menu had plenty to choose from, there was also a specials menu that had great offerings. My husband and I had a selection of dishes from both menus, everything we had was presented beautifully and tasted lovely. We shared a bottle of one of the house reds, which was really nice. The whole meal cost under £100, for 3 courses each and a bottle of red which we thought was excellent value especially with the food being so tasty. This restaurant is well worth a visit, when we are next in Dorset we will certainly be going back

While travelling to various places of interest on holiday in Dorset, my husband pointed out Le Petit Canard. We stopped and checked out the menu then booked to eat there the last night of our holiday and what a fabulous way to end a holiday. The service was superb as was the food. We found a car park 30 meters down the road so just a little walk but so worth it.

All the meal was home-cooked and perfectly cooked and presented. We were made to feel so welcome and nothing was too much trouble. A perfect meal and visit in every way

We ate here toward the end of honeymoon as a particular treat, and we're very glad we did!

We had the most delicious dinner. Food was amazing. We were served by the owner wgo was very friendly and told us the history if the place.

We made a welcome return to this lovely little Restaurant for Dinner recently., after previously only having Sunday lunch in the past. The standard is extremely high - flowers on the table, candles - a lovely ambiance. The Dinner was superb, we chose Baked hake - excellent vegetables. Our Starter was warm asparagus, wrapped in Palma Ham. The Pudding - such a choice - the lemon tart, with lemon curd ice cream (homemade) very enjoyable. A nice touch here - when you order- a little cup of soup to enjoy is given, whilst waiting for the individually cooking. We certainly will return. One of the best.

Dinner at this beautiful little restaurant was a surprise birthday present from my sister and brother-in-law. The restaurant is small but beautifully formed! It is run by the husband and wife team: Gerry (the chef) and Cathy (front-of-house) Craig who serve up excellent dishes created from locally sourced ingredients. The standard of the food is excellent and not a morsel was left on our plates (I was tempted to lick mine!). Cathy and Gerry are genuinely welcoming and I can understand why customers (like my family) are regular supporters. If you are in Dorset, book a table and make your way to this lovely spot: you won't regret it.

I can't recommend this restaurant enough. We booked a table of 8 for my birthday meal early Jan. The food was delicious, the service fantastic and the atmosphere was very warm and welcoming.

Visited as a family. Food was promptly served and was excellent. Reasonably priced, with good selection on menu

Had an exceptional meal here last Friday evening. Everything was cooked to perfection with an excellent choice of menu. Wish this little restaurant was located in our village.... Will look forward to coming back here next year.

Outstanding ingredients, very well cooked, without the theatre and showiness that are so irritating in a lot of very good restaurants at the moment. Very good in its region.

Great restaurant! Must definitely visit this Dorset gem! We thoroughly enjoyed our scallops and Dorset crab starters. The fillet steak was beautiful and the venıson was very tender. All finished off wıth chocolate mousse torte and lemon tart wıth lemon curd ıce cream. Recommended to all.

Just had one of the most enjoyable meals ever. Great ingredients, cooked and served to an excellent standard. We had fillet steak and venison followed by black currant sorbet and summer pudding. Very enjoyable and is highly recommended.

La comida era adorable y yo diría que una buena relación calidad-precio. El ambiente era un poco tranquilo con otra fiesta en el pequeño restaurante, y como la música de fondo estaba muy tranquila, que por supuesto es mejor que ser demasiado ruidoso, pero quizás súbale un poco cuando hay tan pocas personas allí. La patata dauphinoise que acompañó nuestros platos principales muy sabroso era fantástico, y el servicio era rápido, amable y discreto.

Reservamos aquí para celebrar un cumpleaños especial por los anfitriones de nuestro ser y estar. Me habían advertido sobre las alergias alimentarias de nuestra hija y realmente fuimos a esfuerzos extraordinarios para adaptar el menú a sus necesidades. Normalmente sus opciones están limitadas a uno o dos artículos de menú pero aquí no adaptado casi cada plato así que ella tenía un montón de opciones. La mesa estaba decorada especialmente para nosotros, y después de una comida verdaderamente memorable el chef salió a unirse a nosotros en el final y participar en nuestras celebraciones. Sin duda la mejor opción para comer bien en la región y que vale la pena viajar a cierta distancia para visitar y disfrutar. Altamente recomendado

Super food, wonderful service, fantastic ambiance, so want to go back. Had a fabulous evening, staff very friendly and so much more. You have to visit for the experience..

Hemos venido aquí a unos 2 o 3 veces al año, y siempre es una gran comida y un encantador, agradable velada. Cathy y su personal proporciona un servicio excelente, amable y eficiente, sin ser intrusivos, lo que hace que para un momento de relax. La comida, preparada por Gerry, siempre es magnífica, fácilmente tan buena como en otros restaurantes de categoría de londres, ingredientes de alta calidad y de temporada muy bien presentado. Un lugar muy especial.

Reservado para nuestro aniversario y nos dieron una comida fantástica. El servicio era excepcional y la comida y el vino para morirse. Sin duda lo recomiendo y visita de nuevo para comidas especiales y ocasión.

Booked a meal for my fiancée 40th birthday. Cathy went beyond her role as hostess to ensure our evening was a memorable one...the service and relaxed atmosphere was impeccable. The young gentleman waiting on the tables was highly professional, polite and efficient...a credit to the restaurant! Now the food , wow, all we can without going on about this too much, is this man (Gerry ) is obviously a God in the kitchen !!!!!! Thank you Le Petit Canard :) x

Have been to Le Petit Conard several times, and have always been made very welcome by the owners.The menu is always local and seasonal and the food is cooked to perfection.Have enjoyed every meal we have had there.

The early set menu seemed reasonable enough but we made the mistake of not checking a la carte before we booked.Everything was good quality and well cooked, we both had fish (salmon and trout) which can be subtle but bordered on bland. I had beef bresaola and my Mrs had warm lemon tart, likewise both subtle. The amuse-bouche soup was tasty and the homemade bread excellent; not sure what they did with the courgettes but they were really tasty and out of the ordinary. Wine very good but again not cheap.Nothing special about the surroundings.At the end of the day £29 for two courses we felt to be too much.

I seldom bother to review restaurants; life's way too short.However.I went to the Petit Canard last night with three other people for the first time and discovered a real gem, in the unexpected location of sleepy Maiden Newton.We couldn't fault the quality of the food, wine or service; one of the best meals I've eaten in a very long time (including those with a Michelin star).Book yourself a table, and do it now!

Interesting menu, with lots of daily specials as well. Nothing fancy, but good cooking which is evidenced by them being awarded an AA Rosette for the last 14 years (based on the awards on show).

Le Petit Canard has never disappointed (except on Valentines Day a couple of years ago when a storm caused a power cut whilst we were en route. We arrived to find candles lighting the dining area, the kitchen in deep darkness and a number of hapless would-be diners who dining plans, like ours, Mother Nature had just thwarted!). We have eaten there a number of times and on each occasion have received a smiling welcome, a delicious meal and flawless service. If you are looking for wonderful food, well-presented, at a reasonable price, in comfortable, unpretentious surroundings, then look no further. Highly recommended.

First visit to this attractive little restaurant. Disappointing quality at a high price for the area. Maybe it was just unfortunate choice of dishes. Not sure I will try it again unless they make their prices more competitive with other places in west dorset.

We have dined here on many occasions in the past 10 years as my mother lives locally and never had a disappointing meal. For Dorset Maiden Newton is a rather unprepossessing village so it is unexpected to find a restaurant of this quality.It is small - only about 25 covers maximum - and the tables are well separated in a pleasant light parlour room. It is open Tuesday to Saturday evenings and for Sunday lunch two days a month. The cooking is classic British with a few unusual twists and is ingredient led with a good range of daily specials. Cathy is always a very welcoming host and they make every effort to cater for vegetarian diners and other dietary requirements. The Sunday lunch is excellent value at £25 for 3 courses and tea/coffee.We visited on Easter Sunday and had a very relaxing family lunch. I had an excellent starter of chicken livers in a cream and tarragon sauce and a very good main course of slow roasted duck leg with a Kumquat and brandy sauce. The two vegetarians in the party were complimentary about an unusual parsnip and leek crumble.The deserts are very good - we had passion fruit tart with passion fruit ice-cream, a crème brulee and an excellent sticky toffee pudding. There is no supplement for the west country cheese option which I have had previously and is very good.There is a reasonably priced wine list with some interesting choices.A great venue for a special meal if you live locally or are on holiday in the area

What a lovely meal, we were given an amuse bouche of tomato and tarragon soup, delicious, I had the crab rissoto as a starter fantastic! The venison was perfectly pink With a very nice jus, veg was well cooked, if I was overly critical I thought that turned carrots would have been nicer! But that is a harsh criticism! The cheese board was good with enough biscuits. And quite a good wine list for such a small restaurant. All in all I would recommend!

It is four or five years since we visited this restaurant for Sunday lunch. However, we were welcomed warmly and the owner said she remembered the occupation of my father. The restaurant is open on two Sundays per month for lunch (and Tuesday to Saturday evenings). The restaurant has an AA Rosette which it has held since around 2005 and this award is tremendously well deserved. The menu for Sunday is fixed price for three courses and also includes tea/coffee afterwards. There is a wide choice of excellent wine and they also serve wine by the glass.We chose different starters and main courses and all our choices on both courses came delightfully presented and we could not fault anything. The vegetables were served just so and roast potatoes again done to a turn. The desserts we chose were also tasty and included a selection of local cheeses. Local ingredients were widely used in the menu.With coffee there was a chocolate truffle served - and one of our party wished to take it home. The owner presented it in a foil basket with a handle which was another delightful touch.The ambience is of a family home yet intimate at the same time. Tables dressed in a manner suiting the ambience. Restaurant staff who are quietly efficient and nothing is too much trouble. Welcome as of a family friend and similar farewells.

4 couples who were all married in the same year went to the above restaurant for our 40th anniversaries, and decided to try it again last night. We were not disappointed.

I loved the ambience here, we as a family group were the only customers, probably because it was a weekday. It's a soft cottage front room setting, not at all pretentious and warm and inviting. We had excellent attentive service all evening. The crab risotto and the scallops for starters were enjoyed by everybody. The home-made bread was to die for. I had fillet steak as a main and it was cooked to perfection and really tender. Little extras such as the complimentary soups and chocolates with coffee just added to the experience. The only thing that stopped me giving this a 5 was 2 of our group had duck and found it tough. All in all a very enjoyable meal and I'd certainly be happy to return.

I drive past this restaurant most days and coudn't wait to give it a try. My husband took me out earlier this week for my birthday meal and we had a lovely time. This intimate restaurant could be described as dated but I liked the decor, it reminded me of local restaurants in France that are not slick and modern, but characterful with a warm ambience where the food is more important than anything else. There was a candle on the table and calming classical music playing. Our hostess/waitress is also the owner and she was very welcoming and attentive throughout our meal. You can choose 2 or 3 courses from the menu - a variety of meats and fish with a vegetarian option. We had intended having only 2 courses as we had birthday cake waiting for us at home. But, the lure of creme brulee was too great! I had scallops to start which were delicious and my fillet steak was cooked just right (on the rare side of medium rare), served with new potatoes and veg - I can honestly say it was the best steak I've ever eaten and the red wine, horseradish and cream sauce was excellent and not in the least overpowering. My huisband had a tasty soup to start with home made bread - I found out later I could have had gluten free bread if I'd let them know in advance. He also enjoyed a fabulous steak. My creme brulee wasn't cooked enough and was swapped for a perfect example of this lovely dessert, without fuss, as soon as I mentioned it. We had wonderful home made chocolates with our coffee, to finish. The wine list was good and a varied selection of after dinner liqeurs and wines was available. We will definitely return.

Le Petit Canard is one of those restaurants where one can go time and again and be assured of the consistency of the food and service. Five of us went on Saturday night and once again had a lovely meal. Our starters consisted of scallops and crab risoto, all excellent. Our mains were duck, lamb and fillet of beef which was particularly tender and cooked rare as ordered. Our friends commented on how good the lamb was, as was the duck. We finished off with a plater of cheese, sticky toffee pudding, baked peach, all very good. One of our party having seen the goat's cheese starter, asked if they could have one in lieu of pudding, this request was granted without problem. So once again this lovely, intimate restaurant did not disappoint.

My sister, cousin and I took our grandmother to Le Petit Canard for her birthday. None of us had been there before but found it while researching nice restaurants in Dorset. The restaurant is beautiful inside, very clean, small and intimate and the decoration on the tables were splendid. The service was amazing and the food was delicious. I would highly recommend this restaurant. We were given an amuse bouche before our starter which was a really nice touch. As it was a birthday meal we took our and time and did not feel rushed by the staff once. The wine list was excellent, with a lot of choice and variety. I will definitely be visiting again soon.

Whilst recently holidaying in Dorset my wife and I were recommended to try "Le Petit Canard". This well established restaurant is a real gem that is owned and run by a couple who clearly take great pride in providing their customers with excellent food and outstanding service. We were warmly welcomed on arrival and treated unintrusively throughout. They offer a 2 or 3 course fixed price menu with excellent choices for each course and all of our choices cooked to perfection (including vegetables that often disappoint) and beautifully presented. We can't recommend "Le Petit Canard" highly enough!

We went to Le Petit Canard last evening to celebrate my birthday. As always, we were greeted warmly by the lovely Cathy - charming as ever!We're "regulars" and the food was its usual high standard, cooked by Gerry himself, and good sized portions which didn't leave you either too full or still hungry.It's a small restaurant, but even when it's full, it still retains its air of cosiness. If you haven't been here before, try it. You won't be disappointed.Thank you, Cathy and Gerry, and see you soon

My wife took me to Le Petit Canard as a birthday treat. Restaurant was cosy and peaceful. Service was friendly and prompt. But most importantly, the food was top-notch - perfectly cooked, great presentation, good size portions. Would strongly recommend!

Went here for a birthday dinner on a Saturday evening, having thought about going for past 10 years. Food was excellent - best steak for a long time - and service also very good but this place lacks ambience and is a bit expensive for the offering. It needs a good make-over (a lick of paint and partitions to blank out the ugly back of restaurant) which wouldn't cost much to bring it upto date. Sorry, but at >£100 for two inc. wine it isn't much cheaper than the Michelin * Sienna in Dorchester which is leaps and bounds ahead in all departments. If you can get out of your time-warp, we'll be back !!

Quite simply still the best dinner in Dorset. Smokey, creamy Chowder, Scallops cooked to perfection, a dill sauce with the most subtle of Turkish influence, venison in a perfectly matched current jus, intense chocolate Mouse and a zingy salty caramel. Heaven on several plates. Excellent Food at a standard few chefs in Dorset can match.

Just celebrated my 65th birthday at Le Petit Canard. The owners opened the restaurant especially for my 15 guests and myself. We all thought the meal was first class and the service was also excellent. Friends who live in Dorchester and Weymouth will be recommending the restaurant to their friends as well. Thank you Cathy & Gerry

We had a meal at the Le Petit Canard to celebrate a friends birthday. Firstly having your coats taken from you on arrive seems to a lost art these days, simple but effective weclome. The restaurant isn't huge which is to its advantage as it makes the atmosphere welcoming and more personal. The food was beautiful, the service was great and what I really like about any good restaurant, they remember who ordered what, no nonsense like "who ordered this etc" which is a sign of a really professional restaurant.

This is a small restaurant run by a husband and wife team where the focus is on serving really good food in a professional but friendly atmosphere. Excellent value.

This is a small and intimate setting, and the welcome was very warm.Food was excellent, all cooked to perfection and beautifully presented. Would highly recommend a visit here, and will be back hopefully one day

Le Petit Canard is a wonderful, intimate welcoming and friendly restaurant. The couple who run the establishment should be very proud of the food they serve and the atmosphere they engender. The chef should be highly praised for his outstanding offerings. I cannot recommend this establishment highly enough and if you are anywhere near do yourself a favour and book a table, it's a real treat. Front of house staff could not be better, guests are made to feel comfortable and extremely welcome.

Yet again great food.came here in August last year and was impressed so we said we would be back with friend's which we did on fri 31 st May and I am glad to say they also was impressed.Jerry's food and cathy's front of house were amazing thank you again guy's I am sure you will see us again.

We took our son and his new bride to this restaurant and it was excellent as always. We have been to LPC a number of times and it is always good -- great food, served by great staff. What else could one want. Jerry and Cathy do a tremendous job in preparing the food and hosting the restaurant. Look forward to our next visit.

First meal at Le Petit Canard and well worth the drive there. Every dish cooked perfectly (one salmon and one duck) and the lightest sticky toffy pudding. Not cheap but worth every penny, one to keep on the list for celebrations.

This was my third visit to the restaurant (having previously visited in 2010 and 2011) accompanied by my cousin and her husband with whom I was staying in Poole. In 2010 I had asked them to select their favourite local restaurant so that I could take them for a meal to show my gratitude for their kindness in having me to stay. I was somewhat surprised when they selected a restaurant in a village over one hour's drive away, but - oh my goodness - what a gem of a place, and thus both last year and again this we have returned to this compact but wonderful family-run establishment, overseen by expert chef Gerry Craig and his wife Cathy.I always think that the mark of an exceptional restaurant is that having been presented with a menu comprising a choice of five alternatives for each of the three courses plus a selection of specials, one is left drooling at the prospect at the feast to follow, and with an almost impossible task of having to select from amongst the mouth-watering possibilities, and thus it was so unusual that on this occasion the three of us completely coincided in our choices for the starter and main courses (both from the choice of specials): Sauteed king prawns in a garlic and parsley butter followed by fillet of Halibut with a white wine, dill and cream sauce with a hint of tomato, accompanied by a selection of vegetables and potato. This choice attracted a small supplementary cost to the normal two or three course fixed price arrangement that is offered. Our selections diverged when choosing sweets, my cousin selecting ice cream, her husband the warm lemon tart with lemon curd ice cream and a raspberry drizzle while I selected the sticky toffee pudding with caramel sauce and cream..Before our meals we each had a G&T, a bottle of 'Stablemate' Sauvignon Blanc was consumed with the meal and we had coffee (accompanied by homemade chocolates) to complete the titivation of our tastebuds!Our verdict on the meal? Absolutely first class! The king prawns kicked off the meal in jolly fine style and all three of us were licking our lips at the delicate flavourings and meaty prawns along with which we were treated to some excellent home made bread. Halibut is a favourite fish of us all and the generous portions we all enjoyed were demolished with hardly a word passing amongst us, so engrossed and impressed were we with the truly sensational flavourings, the freshness of the fish itself, and a splendid assortment of vegetables in just the right quantities for our requirements. In addition, the Sauvignon Blanc was the perfect accompaniment to these two courses.I must admit that I was anticipating the creme brulee for my sweet course (a Blueberry one on this occasion) as I had done on the first two visits, but in discussion of preferring a "lightish" sweet to complete my meal I was encouraged to try the sticky toffee pudding - and sure enough it was a complete triumph, and much lighter in texture when compared with any other creations masquerading under the same description elsewhere, and perfectly flavoured. No wonder Le Petit Canard has an AA rosette (as they have done for many years past, from the awards proudly displayed in the restaurant). The lemon tart was the usual triumph apparently, while the ice cream left my cousin slightly bemused as it seemed rather less sweet than usually encountered. Cathy explained that this was as it should be, as most who have it do so in accompaniment of a something already quite sweet.Clearly, this is not an establishment that rests on bygone laurels, and on the evidence of another very fine meal, Gerry and Cathy should enjoy a healthy trade for as long as they choose to continue their wonderful culinary enterprise (they've been doing it for 12 twelve years so far, apparently!)I look forward to returning to "the Duck" again in the not too distant future, and completely understand how it has become the favourite restaurant of my cousin and her husband. It is also somewhere that I can recommend unreservedly to everyone else.

For any guests we entertain at Poole a pilgrimage to The Little Duck is "absolument de rigueur!"Our latest visit in early October produced the customary culinary delights, such as we have enjoyed intermiittently over the past ten years or more. The menu was wide-ranging embracing local fish, flesh and fowl for main courses, with a wide choice of enchanting desserts "to die for". All the food was exquisitely prepared and cooked and lovingly presented in a warm and cosy ambience.Yet another guest left for home in the city. full of praise for the faultless experience of an evening in a small Dorset village. I am sure Cathy and Gerry's efforts will already have become a subject for discussion with his fellow gastronomes.Tommy Tucker, Poole.

We recently had a family get together at Le Petit Canard and had a wonderful time. We had such a warm welcome from Cathy before she took us to our table. We really enjoyed our homemade bread with our starters; my scallops just melted in my mouth. I found it really hard to choose my main course, should I have the loin fillet of wild venison or the rump of lamb? I chose the lamb and I'm so glad I did, the lemon garlic reduction was delicious. Nothing was too much trouble for Carhy and Gerry, some extra vegetables were soon brought to our table. It's so nice to be asked if everything is ok with our meals, other restaurants don't seem to care as much as Cathy and Gerry do. When it comes to pud, I can't recommend the chocolate mousse torte highly enough. It's amaretto biscuit base makes it very original and the mousse was deliciously light. Coffee and homemade chocolates to finish and we really felt as if we'd been spoilt. Gerry, Cathy's husband and also the chef, popped out at the end of the evening to say hello. I couldn't help over hearing comments from other diners, everyone had enjoyed their dining experience. As winter approaches and the nights are dark and foggy, instead of staying indoors,it is well worth venturing out to Le Perit Canard!

the service was ok but the meal was poorwe had beef which was as tough as old boots also the carrots were like bullets and for the money we paid i was deeply dissapointing and i expected better.

Three of us went there for a celebratory meal. We all had the steak, with vegetables, roughly about 1 sprig of cauliflower, a few potatoes each and a couple of slices of carrot. Two of us ordered our steaks 'medium' they came oozing blood. We returned them they were still quite rare. The female seemed rather tired of the 'waiting at table' thing and I was still hungry. So over all it was an overpriced disappointment (40 pounds a head) and we would not recommended it or return again either.

We were staying for the week just outside Maiden Newton and picked Le Petit Canard for our last night meal.Not the cheapest restaurant, but the quality of the food made it good value for money.The service was friendly and attentive and Gerry and Cathy are a lovely couple.We would certainly go again if we were in that part of the world

My husband and I went here for our 20th wedding anniversary on the 15 th August .It was absolutely wonderful the whole experience .We turned up late (as settling the 5 children took a bit longer) said our apologies and did not feel any hostility just a lovely smile and shown our table.service was always lovely and the courses were spaced very well and portions were just right all in all a very nice time we will defiantly be returning and will pass on what a wonderful little place this is.Many thank to Gerry and Kathy for making our evening wonderful .

We have been eating at Le Petit Canard for a good number of years now, and it is a very special place - made so by Gerry and Cathy themselves, the superb food and the excellent wine list. There is great attention to detail and the menu changes regularly. Le Petit Canard is consistently excellent.

We love coming to Le Petit Canard to eat, Gerry and Cathy are lovely people, every meal is always a great treat, excellent wines to accompany any meal, definitely a memorable experience!! We would recommend this lovely restaurant to everyone, as long as there is always a space for us of course!!!!

We have been here with friends 3 times now and never been let down. Great food, matched by the ambience and relaxed atmosphere. We would definitely go again - and again - and . . . . . .well, you get the picture!

We have been going to the "little duck" for quite a few years,taken family and friends and it never, never, lets us down. Outstanding food,and owned and run by a really lovely couple.Just go and treat yourselves you won't regret it. Louisa and Dave

Small but beautifully done out-booking is advisable!Lovely Sunday Lunch,well cooked and seasoned and served quite quickly.Superb Lemon Tart-it could almost be French!Recommended!

My wife and I went to Le Petit Canard for her birthday and had an unbelievable good meal there. It is owned and run by a husband and wife team.I had trout which the chef caught himself and made with a sauce aux fine herbes. My wife had a rack of local lamb. Both were absolutely delicious. The syrup sponge was unbelievably light and served hot with a delicate ice-cream.The restaurant is quite small but is charming because of it, unfortunately it is in the village so the view out of the window is of the main street. However; what it lacks in setting is more than made up by the quality of the food produced.All in all - this was rather unexpectedly one of the best meals I have ever eaten. We will most certainly return.