It is an age-old tradition that, for many, comes to define what the second half of the weekend is all about: eating food, and lots of it. Piling our plates with layers of gravy-covered meat (or some kind of squash wellington), flanked with fluffy-on-the-inside-crispy-on-the-outside roast potatoes, stuffing, roasted veg and, of course, the inimitable Yorkshire pudding. Here are some of the most delicious roast dinner offerings from around the UK.
Number Eight, Kent
In the heart of Kent, just a stone’s throw from the gorgeous Knole Park, is Number Eight, Sevenoaks. Owned by former Gordon Ramsay Group CEO, Stuart Gillies, the restaurant has a warm, homely feel. There are a host of options to start but the stand-out was the Korean Buttermilk BBQ Chicken, offering an interesting twist on the traditional Sunday fare. Crispy chicken was lacquered in a sauce, balancing sweet smoke and a flicker of heat, while the accompanying hot and sour sauce provided a satisfying punch. Those looking for autumnal warmth would also be well-satisfied by the silky, earthy, hearty Mushroom Soup. The traditional Roast Free Range Chicken was the real draw. Golden-skinned and juicy, it fell off the bone with ease, and was perfectly complemented with fluffy roast potatoes, a crisp Yorkshire pudding and broccoli. A rich gravy pulled everything together, insisting you mop it up until the last drop. The Eskimo Bars are the perfect bit of whimsy for dessert: cool vanilla ice cream, wrapped in a chocolate shell that cracks like frosted glass when bitten into, with a soft brownie base, a hot salted caramel dipping sauce and a tart raspberry coulis.
£34.95 for three courses, 8 London Rd, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1AJ; no8sevenoaks.com
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Park Corner Brasserie, London
Dining in Mayfair needn’t involve numerous pieces of cutlery or minuscule portions. Instead, at Park Corner Brasserie – located within London’s Hilton Park Lane – you can enjoy all of the elegant atmosphere and excellent service you’d expect of a restaurant in this area, without too much of the affected pretension. That is something that makes all the difference when tucking into this sumptuous roast, perfectly laid out for sharing, with a Whole Free Rang Chicken (or alternatively Sirloin of Beef or Roasted Cauliflower) complete with all the trimmings. The more traditional options of crispy roast potatoes, thick gravy, carrots and giant Yorkshire puddings are a must, but you can also have Cauliflower Cheese, Savoy Cabbage & Bacon, Green Beans with Herbs & Butter, and more. If you’ve got any room for dessert, there are plenty on offer, and the Sticky Toffee Pudding is undoubtedly the sweet star. Or you could simply opt for an English breakfast tea, served in a delicate teapot. It’s a quintessentially British feel with a modern twist.
Mains from £24, 22 Park Lane, London W1K 1BE; parkcornerbrasserie.com
Hotel du Vin, Birmingham
Those who like their Sundays to be all about the food should head to Hotel du Vin in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. Kick off a delectable three courses with appetisers from the French Market Table Buffet, which offers a selection of seafood, charcuterie, pates and rillettes. The main event is the Roast du Vin, with a choice of Sirloin of Beef or Chicken & Stuffing, each served with all the trimmings and a fluffy Yorkshire. If you’ve still got room, try the moreish Pot de Chocolat a L’Avocat, topped with pistachios, cranberries and pomegranate.
£34.95 for three courses, Hotel du Vin, 25 Church Street, Birmingham B3 2NR; hotelduvin.com
Roast, London
As the name suggests, roasts aren’t just served on Sundays here. Each day features a different roast meat and fish special but the set Sunday menu is still the highlight. Roast, at Borough Market, prides itself on sourcing the highest-quality produce from across the British Isles, offering, for example, a choice between Aged Hereford Roast Beef, Herdwick Lamb Saddle, Signature Saddleback Pork Belly or Shorthorn Beef Wellington, with sides that include Truffled Cauliflower Cheese, Roast Smoked Bone Marrow and Pigs in Blankets. Desserts include Rhubarb & Ginger Trifle and Whipped Oat & Mixed Berry Eton Mess.
Main courses start from £28, The Floral Hall, Stoney St, London SE1 1TL; roast-restaurant.com
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