There is little I love more than a brilliantly blue day in London.
You know those days when the temperatures are frosty, your hands are numb, and there are icicles hanging from your eyelashes, but the sky is blue, the sun is shining, and everything is just bright and beautiful?
That’s when I most enjoy going for walks. I like to pick an area of the city, pick a friend (or a group of them!), wrap up in many (many) layers, and just head off on a long sunny walk. And then, once we’ve lost the feeling in our toes, we can retire to a cosy pub!
A few Sundays ago, I picked Belgravia. I wore two jumpers and my favourite coat, snapped alllll the photos, had a giggle at the ginormous queue of people waiting outside Peggy Porschen, then met Leanne at the beautiful Thomas Cubitt for a proper roast dinner.
The inside of the restaurant is just as beautiful as the outside. Downstairs you’ll find a casual pub atmosphere, with round tables and leather armchairs. But if you’re here to eat, you’re best off asking for a table upstairs, in the stunning dining room.
With wooden floors, high ceilings, huge windows, and simple artwork, it’s classy and classic. Simple, comfortable, and the perfect backdrop for the food to come.
We started with deliciously warm and crunchy seeded bread, with salty butter to spread on top. I had a glass of lovely Malbec red wine (my fave!), and Leanne ordered a fresh apple, pear and grape juice.
The tables around us were as full as you’d expect on a sunny Sunday. It’s a restaurant with space for everyone: couples, friends, and even families with children.
But despite being busy, the service was fantastic the whole way through. Our waiters were friendly and knowledgable, explaining the specials and recommending a couple of their favourite dishes.
(Plus, I’m sorry, but this is worth mentioning: they’re all so HANDSOME!)
THE STARTERS
For our starters, Leanne ordered the Devon crab with celeriac, apple puree and juniper-marinated blackberries. It was lovely, incredibly fresh, and the apple and blackberries gave it a really crisp wintery edge.
I went for the goat’s cheese mousse poached cranberries, salsify and ginger bread. I had to Google ‘salsify’ as I’d actually never heard of it before, but it’s a bit like a parsnip. This one was shaved thinly and draped over the creamy mousse, and it was utterly delicious.
The poached cranberries added a nice bit of tartness to cut through the goat’s cheese, and the ginger bread gave a much needed bit of crunch.
I’d definitely order this again!
THE MAINS
For my main meal, I couldn’t resist a proper traditional Sunday roast!
I don’t ever order roast beef in restaurants, because I usually find it’s overdone and a bit tough, but I’d spotted a plate of gloriously pink beef being delivered to the table next to us and decided to make an exception for The Thomas Cubitt. And I wasn’t disappointed.
The beef was perfectly cooked (medium), and lovely and tender. The Yorkshire pudding was HUGE, the potatoes crispy, and the side vegetables roasted and full of flavour.
Leanne ordered a fish dish from the specials menu: a pan-fried halibut, which arrived plump and flakey on a bed of mashed potato, celeriac, and tender green cabbage.
Both meals were lovely, and I’d say that the giant Yorkie would definitely push it into my top five roasts in London (so far!)
THE DESSERTS
For dessert, Leanne had the lemon cake with home-made lemon curd and sorbet, from the specials menu. I lovvvve lemon cake and this one was sweet and sharp and moist and all kinds of yum. 10/10 would order again.
My Bramley apple pie arrived in an individual skillet, drizzled with salted caramel, sprinkled with pecans, and served with a giant scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. The pastry was a bit tough, and to be honest I kind of wished I’d ordered the lemon cake, but it hit the spot.
Overall: a solid Sunday dinner!
We had a fab afternoon of good food and wonderful service, in a proper cosy setting, and it was just utterly lovely. That’s the word that keeps coming to me about this place: lovely. It feels super classic and British, and I loved everything about it.
Prices are a bit higher than your average pub roast, but as a special treat, I’d definitely suggest booking The Thomas Cubitt.
It’s in a gorgeous area too, so perfect for a walk before or after your food!
*** We were given a complimentary meal in exchange for a review.
MORE RESTAURANTS FOR SUNDAY DINNER:
Roast Restaurant at Borough Market
