Sunday roasts with the most
Post readers have been telling food and drink writer LYNETTE PINCHESS their favourite places for a Sunday lunch with all the trimmings YOUR TIPS FOR A TOP WEEKEND FEAST
ONE of the biggest foodie debates has to be who serves the best Sunday roast in Nottinghamshire.
Your answer might be “my mum”, but if you want to eat out where is the top spot?
The criteria – there has to be good quality meat, and the beef should preferably be slightly pink.
A crisp, towering Yorkshire pudding is crucial and the roast potatoes have to be crisp on the outside and soft and fluffy inside – and there must be plenty of them.
Fresh vegetables and a generous amount of rich, tasty gravy complete the package.
When I asked readers for their recommendations, the suggestions included country pubs, an awardwinning Italian restaurant, and cool cocktail bars.
Here’s what you had to say...
TAP & RUN, Upper Broughton
SARAH Dean is a big fan of the gastro pub owned by retired England and Nottinghamshire cricketers Harry Gurney and Stuart Broad. She said: “The roast beef was fabulous. They even walk around offering extra Yorkshire pudding and roast potatoes. Service was excellent too.”
Roasts are all served with braised carrots, roast potatoes, seasonal green and Yorkshire puddings.
The star of the show is either the 28-day aged Aubrey Allen rump of beef, Jimmy Butler’s free-range pork loin and crackling or roast chicken supreme. Fish eaters can have seabass with butternut squash and veggie mains are beetroot wellington or pumpkin gnocchi. Diners can expect to pay between £15.95 and £20.50 for a main.
UNICORN’S HEAD, Langar
ANOTHER top spot, according to Sarah, is the rural pub she describes as “absolutely amazing.”
The pub, which was taken over last year, is set within an idyllic Grade-ii listed building dating back to 1717.
The Unicorn’s “Ultimate Roast” comes with the challenge “I dare you!” and consists of beef, pork and lamb on one plate with all the trimmings for £22.50.
Other options include roast beef rump, roast leg of Derbyshire lamb, Packington pork loin, chicken breast, and sweet potato and chestnut loaf, priced at £15 to £18.
Sides of cauliflower cheese, extra Yorkshire puddings and pigs in blankets can be ordered.
GLASS ORCHID, Beeston
IT’S all change on Sundays at the
Beeston tapas restaurant and cocktail bar when the menu switches to roasts.
Lisa Evans said: “Sunday lunch at Glass Orchid is delicious.”
Slow-roasted lamb, chicken supreme, aged striploin of beef and crispy pork belly are the meaty options and for veggies it varies, but an example is wild mushroom and veggie sausage toad in the hole.
Prices are £13 to £16. It’s a goodsized portion but you can order extras including a giant pig in blanket for a fiver.
The stylish bar can be found next to the tram stop in Beeston Square so leave the car at home and indulge in some of the tasty cocktails too.
FALCON INN, Alfreton Road
WHENEVER Simon Orwell visits Nottingham from Hamburg, he heads to the Falcon Inn in Canning Circus Road for a Sunday roast.
On his last visit, he had lamb shank which came with plenty of vegetables. “The treacle tart dessert was also excellent. Friendly staff, lovely old-school English pub. I always make sure I pay a visit when back in Nottingham,” he said.
Roast beef is £15, chicken and lamb shank are £14 and the vegetarian sausage costs £13, with all the trimmings, and bookings have to be made by Friday evening.
CLEAVER & WAKE, Island Quarter
FOR Stephen Wright, it was Nottingham’s recently opened upmarket restaurant that impressed.
He had the “best vegetarian main in a roast dinner ever” – a celeriac and spinach wellington with mushroom sauce and all the trimmings.
His dining companions had roast chicken and pork belly while a fourth said it was the best beef wellington she had tasted.
It’s not cheap, with two courses costing £40 and three at £50 at the elegant restaurant at the Island Quarter, off London Road, but Stephen said: “I would highly recommend anyone to budget for a Sunday lunch there as a great experience.
“The presentation, sauces and general cooking and seasoning was superb, as was the service, making the prices reasonable for a special occasion. Our starters were dainty, but sublime.”
WORLD SERVICE, Castle Gate
SUNDAY dinner at this city centre fine dining restaurant is popular.
Ben Martin said: “Every single Sunday lunch we have had at World Service had been great. Really enjoy eating there.”
Graham Hutton commented: “We’ve been regulars for a few years now, but hadn’t tried their Sunday lunch.
“But based on the recommendation of John Hancock who runs front of house we tried it out, and it was sensational. We all agreed it was the best beef we’ve ever had.”
FOTHERGILL’S, Castle Road
THIS restaurant, overlooking
Nottingham Castle, got a shout-out from Elaine Scanlon.
It serves garlic and thyme chicken, pork belly and cracking, beef, slowroasted lamb and mushroom wellington, with prices between £17 and £19.
As well as the usual spuds, Yorkies and veggies, dinner comes with a helping of braised red cabbage.
Elaine said: “Amazing food, great atmosphere and great service.”
THE BERLINER, Chilwell
ELLE Bates said she loved The Berliner’s Sunday lunch – a collaboration between Lilac Eatery and the trendy cocktail bar, in High Road.
Beef, spring chicken, and a vegan nut roast are served with aromatic mashed potato, honey carrots, caramelised onion gravy and cavolo nero, priced £13 to £16.
THE CARPENTERS ARMS, Walesby
THE Italian Kitchen is known for its spaghetti, gnocchi and saltimbocca but on Sundays, it’s all about roasts and Yorkshire puddings – although you can still order pasta if you like.
Sirloin, chicken, porchetta-style pork belly, and butternut squash wellington are on the menu at the restaurant in Boughton Road.
Accompanied by mash, roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, stuffing, Yorkshire pudding, and gravy, the price is £16.
Starters of crostini and Tuscan soup add an Italian twist, as do desserts of tiramisu and affogato.
“Consistently excellent food and service. I’ve just been for Sunday lunch (again), it never disappoints,” said Jayne Piper.