People love to recommend places that serve "the best Sunday roast in London". On this basis I have headed to Angel to try the roast on offer at The Old Queen's Head and closer to home tried The Holly Bush. So far, my view has been that if this is the best London has to offer, I will stick to cooking my own Sunday roasts. Still, when Claire promised that a pub in Knightsbridge, The Pantechnicon had "the best Sunday roast in London" I was still interested.
The Pantechnicon is run by the same people behind The Thomas Cubitt and just like that fine establishment it is so posh that it can be barely called a pub. I am almost surprised to find that the place still serves beer. Nestled on a quaint cobbled road there are a handful of outdoor tables but the best place to be at this time of year is inside in the bright, airy dining room. On a Sunday the place is packed, filled with males with their collars up and females with well maintained blonde highlights.
Once you have managed to pronounce the name (apparently panatechnicon was a term for horse drawn delivery carriages) the next issue is when to go. No bookings are taken for Sunday roasts so it is best to get there before noon to avoid having to wait for a table. There are three choices of roasts: beef, pork and chicken. The pick of the bunch though is the chicken as you get a whole corn fed, organic bird between two (£15 each). The chicken arrives at the table bronzed and with crispy skin on a cast iron try. Alongside are broccolini, rounds of stuffing and the most fantastic potatoes roasted in duck fat until they are crackling on the outside and fluffy and soft inside. You also receive two small copper saucepans of gravy and bread sauce.
It's not the cheapest roast you can get in London, but aside from one that is home cooked, I think it is best. The produce used is top quality and the portions are generous. The food may be simple but it is accomplished. Let me know if you think there a better Sunday roast in London (besides your Mums of course).
Essentials
Details: 10 Motcomb street, Knightsbridge SW1X 8LA (Ph 020 7730 6074) Tube: Knightsbridge
Damage: Reasonable
8/10
Links
Nearby you can also try The Botanist in Sloane Square (expect a similar crowd to that at The Pantechnicon) or for something completely different Sake No Hana, Alan Yau's high end Japanese restaurant.
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