Dom Pannell's Blog

Lunch at the Anchor & Hope

The Anchor and Hope on The Cut is a short jaunt from my flat. It's my favourite local restaurant. What am I talking about, it's just about my favourite restaurant - I go there with friends and some of them like it enough to write about the experience. Actually, it's not a restaurant, it's a 'gastropub' but that term sounds pretentious, which is something A&H isn't.

I've eaten there on about a dozen occasions and each time the food has been sensational.

Today was no exception.

Sunday is the only day they'll take a booking (for some reason it annoys people that they have to turn up in person to make a reservation during the week, but I've never had a problem with waiting in a lively, fun pub) so I popped in last night and booked a table for myself and three of my colleagues who wanted to see if A&H is up to my eulogising about the fixed price set Sunday lunches.

They have a rule that Sunday lunch is served on the stroke of 2pm, but they're far too relaxed to insist on it... besides, it's Sunday! The final member of our party rocked up nearly 40 minutes late and nobody batted an eyelid - they just kept serving us beer while we waited and gave us a plate of 'amuse-bouches' comprising smoked herring with pickled beetroot and a farmhouse pate with celeriac, both served on toast.

When we were all there, lunch kicked off. Gem squash filled with melted Italian hard cheese went down very well before the main dish, roast pork with a variety of root vegetables (and was that pear? Whatever, it went very well with the pork!) turned up. We washed it down with a bottle of Italian nebbiolo and a jug of tap water (no attempt to make us pay for mineral water). There were no complaints from our table and much praise for the tenderness and taste of the meat.

Dessert was a 'little chocolate pot' that came with a side helping of vanilla ice-cream - very rich and very delicious.

I've read reviews of A&H that complain about the staff. The odd thing is that in all the times I've eaten there, I've only ever been waited on by people who are knowledgable about the food they are serving, are eager to please and who smile a lot. A winning combination in my book.

So there you have it. Good food, decent prices, excellent staff... and for those that must have it, you can book for Sunday lunch.

Shame the English rugby team were stuffed by the All Blacks. Hey ho! We're still the world champions until next year.

Posted by Dom Pannell at November 5, 2006 7:22 PM | TrackBack