A packed out Jolly Butchers showed all the signs of a healthy Sunday roast in full swing as we walked past the after dinner smokers and outside drinkers, into the lively drinking hole on Stoke Newington High Street. This public house is particularly catered towards those with a thirst for Real Ales, Ciders, Craft Beers, Stouts and World Class Lagers which statistics show is many.
Pairing great beer with great food is the concept and we were in the house for just that, in the form of a Sunday Roast. The lamb had gone, evidently a popular dish and with disappointment strewn all over ones face it was two pork’s being pitched forward to tackle our afternoon hunger. Orders in we waited and took in the atmosphere; a birthday party, couples, friends, families, old people, a loner and a bar four deep. The pub itself is inviting enough with its outside tables, windows down both sides and classroom style layout, bar on one side with the kitchen on show in the top corner – note to chefs don’t eat in full view of diners we can see you!
Aware of the facilities and amenities a happy smiling waitress sprung two hearty plates of Sunday goodness in front of us. Banging. Fluffy roast potatoes, sweet pickled cabbage, carrots, green beans, crunchy Yorkshire and generous slices of pork sealed in with a warm rich gravy. Extra marks on the gravy. With a ramekin of apple sauce and horseradish, there was for the six and half minutes it took to wolf this down not a word spoken, just the satisfying nod of approval sitting back in the chair and placing the knife and folk onto an empty plate. Perfect.
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Worth a leisurely Sunday afternoon visit for great pub grub and a few ales. £9.95 for a roast in this trendy part of town, come on, get in line.
204 Stoke Newington High Street N16
www.jollybutchers.co.uk