A Right Roasting

Sunday roast season has begun in earnest and hooray for that, says Emma Outten

Who doesn't love a Sunday roast? Whether you’re a meat-eater or not, there’s just something so comforting about going out for a Sunday roast with all the trimmings as the days get cooler.

There’s your traditional meat roast, of course, although nowadays no pub or restaurant worth its salt would ignore providing a nut roast or some such. If done properly, this alternative Sunday staple can taste just as good as a joint of meat.

However, the centrepiece does tend to be meat (if it’s sourced from a local butcher, all the better), and there’s a variety to choose from: anything from your classic beef or chicken, to slow-roasted lamb rump or pork belly, game birds such as pheasant, and venison haunch – you name it. And these days no self-respecting roast seems to be complete without a Yorkshire pudding - the bigger the better!

Vegetarians and vegans needn’t feel left out in the cold. Non-meat eaters can still enjoy a show-stopping meal (whole roasted cauliflower seems to be having a moment), with crispy roast potatoes and lots of lovely seasonal veg, such as carrots and broccoli, and lashings of gravy.

And the way we eat our Sunday roasts when we go out is evolving: sharing roasts for all the family to tuck into are becoming quite the thing – we’ve come a long way since the days of the good old fashioned carvery.

Here’s our round-up of the best places to go in and around Norfolk:

THE WILLIAM & FLORENCE

Unthank Road, Norwich www.williamandflorence.co.uk

The William & Florence is a bustling bar which jostles for prime position on trendy Unthank Road, with all its shops and cafês. The pub has been carefully refurbished to make the most of the natural light, and you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere with comfortable sofas in the bright airy bar, or watch the world go by through the picture windows. It serves classic Sunday roasts from midday until 8pm, and offers both vegan and vegetarian alternatives. Choose from roast beef, sausage stuffed pork belly, or homemade mushroom Wellington. All will be served with Colman's mustard, thyme and rosemary roast potatoes, braised red cabbage, honey roast parsnips, carrots, broccoli, Yorkshire pudding and homemade red wine gravy. There’s always a good selection of newspapers to flick through, and at least six local ales on offer, so kick back and enjoy!

THE HERO

Burnham Overy Staithe www.theheroburnhamovery.co.uk

Fast becoming a key player on the foodie gold coast of North Norfolk, The Hero is the second pub of business partners Rowan Glennie and Harry Farrow - they also run the Anchor at nearby Morston. Sunday lunch (noon to 3pm and 6pm to 9pm) is a yummy affair, with a selection of meats from Arthur Howell available - the sharing rib of beef for two catches our eye! Expect accompanying local greens, celeriac mash, cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire puds, gravy and those essential roasties. Daily specials are also available (examples include Weybourne lobster or wild sea bass), plus the regular menu where we spotted harissa roasted cauliflower as an ambitious veggie option. The sourdough bread is from the award winning Pastonacre in Cley, the gin list is never ending and they make their own ice cream. And there's even a woodburner. Your faithful hound is welcome in the bar and the North Norfolk Coastal Path awaits you. All boxes ticked.

SARACEN’S HEAD

Wolterton www.saracenshead-norfolk.co.uk

When it comes to the Sunday Roast, Tim Elwes is exceptionally keen to make sure what he puts on the plate is of the very best quality and has travelled as few food miles as possible! Beef is reared on the banks of the Bure no further away than Blickling by Emily and Tony Bambridge and his delicious Loin of Pork is from a little further away, North Creake, where it has been well tended by farmer Tim Allen. Both beef and pork are hung and prepared by GF Whites, the traditional butchers in Aylsham, who have been supplying the Saracen's for almost 10 years. And what is a roast dinner if you don’t have the very best potatoes to complement your meat? According to head chef, Mark Sayers, there is only one variety of potato that will make the best roast, and that is the good old Maris Piper. With a side of cabbage and carrots delivered by Fresh Approach, again of Aylsham, you have a truly local and delicious meal that really is all from a ‘Field near Here’!

THE KITCHEN AT ST GEORGE’S DISTILLERY

Roudham, Attleborough www.englishwhisky.co.uk

The Kitchen offers a Sunday lunch location with a difference as it’s set in the grounds of St George’s Distillery, home to The English Whisky Co, and it’s all the better for it. Roasts include sirloin of beef, with Yorkshire pudding; loin of pork, with crackling; or nut roast, and all come with seasonal vegetables and gravy – don’t be surprised to find English Whisky as an added ingredient on the Sunday menu, and the shop even sells its own gravy boat for you to purchase on your way out! The restaurant has a very relaxed vibe and if it’s still just about warm enough, there’s outside seating on the terrace. While you’re there, you could always make time to take a tour at the distillery or a walk down to the river.

THE BLACK HORSE

Norwich, NR2 www.theblackhorsenorwich.net www.thestanleynr3.com

Sunday roasts have made a welcome return to The Black Horse on Earlham Road in Norwich, post-summer. It’s an ever-changing menu but you can expect, at this time of year, roast sirloin of Norfolk beef, Blythburgh confit rolled pork belly, free range Norfolk chicken supreme or, for complete carnivores, all the meats on one plate! There are always vegan and gluten free options so, for example, there’s courgette, aubergine, mushroom, quinoa and padron pepper polenta loaf, and there’s even a GF Yorkshire pudding which may well be a bit of a first around these parts. Mature Cheddar cheese cauliflower cheese is extra, or if you just fancy roast potatoes and gravy? No problem. Black Horse roasts are served between 12 noon and 8pm. Oh, and sister pub The Stanley in NR3 will be offering roasts at the end of this month so do look out for those as well.

THE SWAN

Loddon www.theloddonswan.co.uk

Always a Feast favourite, the Swan at Loddon is super popular for Sunday roasts. With a family feel, a great wine list to accompany your chosen roast, and either the bar or restaurant to base yourself in, even the dog is welcome! Chef Jason Wright offers roasts at £12.95, with examples including roast topside of Heckingham Hall Red Poll beef and roast loin of Blythburgh Pork. All are served with roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and vegetables. The pudding selection is good, too, with the cheesecakes highly recommended! There are great real ales available, several boutique bedrooms and some lovely walks from the pub’s doorstep. What’s not to like? It’s Sunday on a plate!

OLD HALL FARM AT WOODTON near Bungay

www.oldhallfarm.co.uk

Rebecca Mayhew and family opened their new cafê in May and have just added the Sunday roast to their repertoire. They use their home-reared pork and local grass-fed dry-aged Dexter beef to create the perfect roast dinner, and there is also a weekly vegetarian special. You can expect local vegetables, Yorkshire puddings made with their raw Jersey milk, and lashings of gravy! It is £12 for adults and £7 for children. Look out for a good selection of gluten-free cakes, too.

THE UNTHANK ARMS

Newmarket Street, Norwich www.theunthankarms.com

The Unthank Arms in the heart of the Golden Triangle may be a proper pub in the style of a traditional Victorian local, but it also serves up great local food. It’s long since been a go-to place for Sunday roast, which can be enjoyed from 12 noon all the way through to 8.30pm, upstairs or downstairs – both offer light, airy spaces (or else there’s a cosy corner downstairs, towards the back). Expect nothing less than Swannington Farm to Fork beef, Blythburgh shoulder of pork, roast Norfolk chicken and homemade nut-roast. All are served with carrots, braised red cabbage, Savoy cabbage, smashed swede, roast potatoes, parsnips, Yorkshire pudding and homemade gravy. Or really push the boat out and order the on-trend ‘All the Meats’ option, with extra roast potatoes and TWO Yorkshire puddings! This is a really friendly spot, and not many folk in Norwich don't have a little place in their heart for the Unthank!

TRAFFORD ARMS

Grove Road, Norwich www.traffordarms.co.uk

Right in the heart of Norwich, this is what many would describe as a 'proper' pub. There's at least 10 real ales always available, and it serves good value but quality food, with very welcoming staff. Sundays roasts are served from noon to 6pm, with local suppliers including Swannington Farm to Fork who provide pork and chicken, Hevingham beef, and fruit and veg from Easters in Norwich. A home-made nut roast completes the line up, gluten free options are available, and all are priced at £10.95 for the one course.

The pub's full menu is also served so there is lots of choice for all - how do Thai fish cakes or good old fish and chips sound? And smaller portions can be created for younger diners. We have heard that the sticky toffee pudding is a must - if you have the room, of course.

THE NORFOLK MEAD

Coltishall www.norfolkmead.co.uk

Enjoy roasted joints, crunchy roast potatoes and a glass of delicious wine in this handsome country house hotel’s intimate 2 AA rosette restaurant. Executive chef Damien Woollard uses only the freshest produce, sourced locally where possible, to create exciting dishes for all the family - how does Dingley Dell pork shoulder with apple sauce, followed by chocolate brownie, cherry jelly, malt cake, milk sorbet and peanut butter crisp sound? After lunch, relax in the cosy fireside lounge, or take a stroll across the water meadow, to the banks of the River Bure. With 16 bedrooms, and a pretty ‘summer house’ across the drive, you can treat yourselves and stay overnight, too!

THE BELL INN

Rickinghall www.thebellrickinghall.co.uk

The Bell at Rickinghall, between Bury St Edmunds and Diss in Suffolk, is an award winning village inn specialising in great food and real ale. Sunday menus change regularly but will always include roast dinners for £10.95: topside of beef, roasted chicken breast and homemade nut roast. The pub is child friendly and offers a children’s menu or half portions of the majority of the main dishes. The Bell started life as a 17th century coaching inn, and is run by two local women, Jordan Fox and Lindsey Booty – whereas head chef is Joshua Atkin. There’s a cosy bar area (where dogs are welcome) and an a la carte restaurant with snugs and an open fire ready for the coming winter months.

BAWDESWELL GARDEN CENTRE

Bawdeswell www.bawdeswellgardencentre.co.uk

Set right in the middle of this bustling garden centre in Mid Norfolk is where you’ll find the light and airy Reeve’s Parlour Restaurant. With local producers such as HV Graves, Broadland Hams and Lakenham Creamery all used, quality is high. A Sunday roast is £9.95; add a dessert, and it is £12.95. All dietary requirements are catered for, including gluten free, and there are always vegetarian options on offer. And best of all, of course, is the fact that you can have a really good shop afterwards as the centre has a bit of everything - not just plants! I love their selection of homeware and gifts - look out for Emma Bridgewater goodies!

THE FEATHERS HOTEL

Holt www.thefeathershotel.com

Sunday lunch at The Feathers Hotel, right in the centre of Holt, consists of a delicious selection of expertly carved roast meats, with a choice of topside of beef, succulent pork (with crackling of course!) or tender Norfolk turkey. All accompanied by an array of bright and colourful seasonal vegetables, homemade Yorkshire puddings and lashings of The Feathers’ own recipe gravy! Customers can enjoy fine dining in the Plume Restaurant or enjoy a carvery in the bright and airy Gresham Suite and conservatory, or in the relaxed bar area where four legged friends are more than welcome. One course is £12, two is £15 and three is £17.50. A children’s carvery is also available, with one course at £9.50, and two courses at £12.

THE BOATHOUSE

Ormesby Broad www.theboathouseormesbybroad.co.uk

You may know of The Boathouse, on the banks of Ormesby Broad, as a wedding venue, but let’s not forget it’s also a country pub offering gastro dining and specialising in traditional British cuisine. On a Sunday, a carvery operates from 12 noon to 7pm (£10.75 for adults and £6.75 for children). Formerly the old Eels Foot pub, which dates back to at least 1854 when it was listed as a ‘beer house and pleasure garden’, the pub and restaurant has had a complete refurbishment: think exposed brickwork, open fireplaces, pine floorboards and oak beams. There’s a long bar, several bay windows offering views of the Broad, and the main restaurant boasts a vaulted ceiling. If the weather is still clement enough, do make the most of the fact that the pub is set in 11 acres of parkland, with a decked sun terrace.

DON'T FORGET...

The Exchange at Jarrold - on the basement deli floor - does a great Host Your Roast on Sundays which is a very sociable, fun idea. You carve your chosen joint at the table and help yourselves to veggies and roasties!

Highway Garden and Leisure, Framingham Pigot, near Norwich, has a lovely new look café and restaurant - with a carvery served every day which is well worth a look.

The Duck Inn, Stanhoe, near Burnham Market, is recommended, as is The Gunton Arms, Thorpe Market, near North Walsham.