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Maids Head (Wicken)

Details
Wine:
(expert's rating)
- SERVICE
  - exclnt
    
    67%
  - good
    
    11%
  - fair
    
    0%
  - poor
    
    0%
  - terrible
    
    0%
- FOOD
  - exclnt
    
    67%
  - good
    
    11%
  - fair
    
    0%
  - poor
    
    0%
  - terrible
    
    0%
- ATMOSPHERE
  - exclnt
    
    56%
  - good
    
    22%
  - fair
    
    0%
  - poor
    
    6%
  - terrible
    
    0%
- VALUE
  - exclnt
    
    50%
  - good
    
    22%
  - fair
    
    6%
  - poor
    
    0%
  - terrible
    
    0%
14 Reviews
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What we thought

The Maid's Head (Wicken) sits on a green, by a small duck pond, surrounded by country cottages, every bit the rural pub idyll. The pretty village centre's credentials are boosted by the proximity (a few hundred yards) to the ecologically significant Wicken Fen Reserve, which is open all year round.

The pub itself is a pretty building, part thatched and part tiled, with ample off-road parking tucked behind. Entering the

Traditional English pub with a pleasant setting, friendly service, and a varied and well-executed menu.

little latched door into the bar area, the décor is classic and simple, with mainly wall lighting and candles for illumination, although the dark wood tables, bar, and fittings absorb much of this and lend a cosy gloom. We noted a mixed albeit tranquil clientele: a couple, a family, a group of mature friends, and some local gents relaxing at the bar - all casually attired and chatting away freely.

En route to our table we passed the bar: a small right-angled unit with space for a couple of stools on either side. There are seven or eight tables in the bar area and more tucked away in a separate area which is well suited to parties or functions.

The waitress and manageress both made themselves known to us quickly and continued to be attentive and friendly throughout our visit, without fussing or requiring much prompting for attention.

The bar stocks a standard set of lagers plus a few good real ales (including Woodforde's Wherry), which are changed frequently. The wines are largely common labels, with Shiraz, Pinot, and Cabernet well represented, and available by the glass or bottle and there is a choice of sodas or fruit juices as well as aperitifs and digestives.

The menu has plenty of variety, and there are variations for Sunday lunch, dessert, and a separate specials board and a good snack menu with mains featuring gammon and chips, local bangers and mash, plaice goujons, and similar classic pub fare.

The Sunday menu comes as a package and the starters on offer were soup, soufflé, and prawn cocktail, with roast options for the main (turkey, pork, beef) with all the trimmings, or vegetable lasagne and spinach, feta and pinenut parcels for the veggies, and grilled sardines. Apple crumble, lemon meringue pie, ice cream, and cheeses complete the set.

As a starter we had a Thai crabcake that exceeded all expectations and trumped similar dishes in specialist seafood restaurants. The flavour balance and seasoning, even on simple dishes, is spot on.

The A La Carte menu is far more interesting, international, and accomplished. Starters include wild mushroom brioche and pea and parmesan risotto - well portioned and garnished and could make a perfectly good light supper in themselves.

The mains cause something of an issue in that selecting only one is difficult. A perfectly cooked medium 8oz with creamy peppercorn sauce is a wonderful thing to behold and taste. Honey-glazed lamb with Mediterranean vegetables, tuna nicoise, chicken with potato rosti and spinach cream, and the vegetable terrine with spiced couscous will all keep you second guessing yourself.

We had a spinach and ricotta spring roll-cum-cannelloni that showed a remarkable degree of delicacy and consideration - not just a 'token veggie dish' - and would tempt ardent omnivores from their meats. The plate sizes and portions are spot on and leave you wanting for nothing, nor feeling guilty or gluttonous. A side order of al dente seasonal vegetables was more than adequate for two people. The specials seem to vary depending on local suppliers - sausage, chicken, fish, pasta - a bit of a lottery but every ticket scores a tasty prize.

The desserts are all proudly prepared in house, although the range is slightly limited. You can mull over a burnt cream, chocolate brownie, apple pie, ice cream, or cheese board. The cream was surprisingly light and very flavoursome, the brownie perfectly sticky and decadent, with custard, cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

All three courses arrived quickly, and were enjoyed with abandon, so we ordered a limoncello to offset the rich brownie with a citrus punch and an espresso.

We weren't pressured into moving on at the speed of light in the name of more covers, a growing malpractice in the area, and we were cordially and sincerely invited to return again soon on departing.

While the menu clearly indicates vegetarian options, it does not list special dietary requirements, although a footnote states that the establishment will accommodate all requirements and make changes to dishes, which will be more easily achieved if advanced notice is served.

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Amy D 1 Reviews
May 3rd 2013

Review posted by Amy D

Lovely atmosphere, very friendly welcome. Would recommend.
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Mr.Malcolm W 1 Reviews
April 16th 2013

Review posted by Mr.Malcolm W

Could do with quiet background music.
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Robert H 1 Reviews
April 16th 2013

Review posted by Robert H

Food and service were superb. A very nice meal and environment.
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Richard W 1 Reviews
April 16th 2013

Review posted by Richard W

Very good local pub and lovely food.
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Mr Mrs I K 1 Reviews
April 16th 2013

Review posted by Mr Mrs I K

We must like it as we have come back. for another go + we will be back again.
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Mrs Maggi C 1 Reviews
April 15th 2013

Review posted by Mrs Maggi C

Brilliant - My first visit and certainly not the last.
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Lucy T 1 Reviews
April 15th 2013

Review posted by Lucy T

Really good range of foods. Great vegetrarian options. Great job stuart, gill and team !!
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S 1 Reviews
March 21st 2013

Disgusting service

I have now visited on two occasions first it was a very cold night so leaned on the radiator to get chewing gum all over my dress in the bar area, when telling the management I didn't even receive an apology just disbelief while we remained there no one had a look to clean it off! Second time when ordering a diet Pepsi it didn't taste correct so I took
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1 Reviews
February 17th 2013

Should have been so much better.

Food was very good but priced quite high for what it was and the service levels. Mediocre service spoilt what could have been a very pleasant evening. Long delays between courses was unexplained, table service was amateur at best and a smile once in a while would have been nice. At the prices they charge, they ought to see what other venues do for this money. Lovely venue, image, food
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Winifred W 1 Reviews
December 18th 2012

Friendly pub/restaurant in a lovely village

Great food, especially at lunch times, good service from pleasant staff
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More reviews

12 High Street,

Wicken
CB7 5XR

Partial disabled access,
parking on site

Price Ranges

Starters £4.95 - £8.95 Mains £8.95 - 21.95 Puddings £4.95 - £5.95

Opening times

Sun - Thu: 12:00-23:00
Fri - Sat: 12:00-01:00

Food serving times

Sun: 12:00-20:00
Mon Sat: 12:00-21:00

FREE offers

15% off at The Maids Head

Get 15% off your food bill Tuesday to Thursday. This offer ...

Enjoy a free dessert!

Enjoy a complementary dessert when you dine Tuesday to Frid...

BIRTHDAY: Free 3 course meal for the celebrant!

Celebrant eats for free when three or more order at least a ...

Bulletin board

A fantastic Sunday Roast everytime at the Maids Head, Wicken

Always using fresh local produce. We offer at least three t...

Eat & Drink

British - Pub Food

British - Traditional

Pub

Restaurant

Function Services

Outside catering

Pub function & party areas

Restaurant function & party areas

Wedding Venues

Bakery

Butchers/meats

Cheese shops/sellers

Chocolate

Delicatessen

Farm Shops

Fish shops/sellers

Pick-your-own

Specialities

Animals & Wildlife

City tours

Clubs

Entertainment

Family Fun

Museums

Other Attractions

Parks

Wedding day

Maids Head (Wicken)

What we thought

Traditional English pub with a pleasant setting, friendly service, and a varied and well-executed menu.

May 3rd 2013

April 16th 2013

April 16th 2013

April 16th 2013

April 16th 2013

April 15th 2013

April 15th 2013

March 21st 2013

February 17th 2013

December 18th 2012

12 High Street,

Food serving times

Maids Head Wicken Restaurant Pub British - Traditional,International,British - Pub Food