Sunday Roast: The Rose & Crown

Sunday strikes 4pm, and I eagerly approach The Rose & Crown (I’m actually Roasting here for a first date *eek*!). A charming gentleman is standing out the front of the bay windows of the pub, after an awkward first hello, we quickly head inside.

The Rose & Crown is a perfect family and friends pub on the corner edge of Stoke Newington. A buzzing atmosphere, a simple North London crowd, with matching dogs of course, the pub certainly is the epitome of a Sunday Roast.

A bottle of red was ordered, and of course… THE ROAST. I went for the Pork, with my date taking the Beef. Now, everyone seems to have a different demand when it comes to a roast, I am little less is more, while others most certainly resonate with portion sizes to the fullest! If you are option B, this is absolutely the place for you! Veggies and meat piling high and spiling over the sides. This is definitely boarding onto classic British roast, rather than Gastropub, which is absolutely fine! All round deliciousness.

And just a final little catch, the pub has a gorgeous boutique guest house (oh and no I didn’t find this out from my date! geez). But a lovely thought if you are heading in from out of town, or looking for a staycation!

Until next Sunday x 

 

Sunday Roast

Well, firstly, big SORRIES for the radio silence. Dry Jan…. joined some Yoga movement and well, all pathetic excuses for not spending these cuddly Winter days at the pub.

But never fear, I have still religiously been spending Sunday’s, Sunday Roasting! So I’m thinking it’s about time I kept up this continuity in my life and blog about all these delicious experiences.

Every Sunday I will publish a new Sunday Roast blog, including a delicious breakdown of things I’ve eaten, fireplaces I’ve sat by, and well any other fancy little bits the new pub of the week will offer!

The feel-good pub

Okay, so we get it… Dry January, New Year, New You and all that bollocks. Well I am here to tell you that you are do ALL of this, and still enjoy a nice a night at the pub!…

Introducing one of my favourite little spots for a Saturday Afternoon, The Duke of Cambridge in Angel, Islington.

This is a feel good pub. Think organic, fresh, local food, complimented by organic beers, or those not drinking, they do a gorgeous filtered coffee that you can sit and enjoy all afternoon.

One of my favourite spots to go with the Gal Pals for an afternoon of gas-bagging, or even, for those out on the prowl, this makes a very cosy little date spot!

The pub prides itself on being 100% organic, I mean, could you get any better at new years resolutions?! 

 

Tis’ the season for Alpine Bars

I’ve always loved the snow, but I’ll admit I am more of a Apre Skier than anything else.

Much to my delight, London is being snowed under by a collection of fabulously themed Alpine Bars…. 

 

‘The Collection X Apres Ski East’ New Years Eve Party 
A leading luxury events agency and a leading lifestyle, music and fashion brand (tick,tick,tick!) have teamed up for the festive season to bring a collection of unique pop-up events. They are called Collection X (fierce right!)

Now, down to business. Collection X have not only built an AMAZING Alpine Bar, but they are also hosting a New Years Eve event where the snow bunnies and abominable snowmen can come out to play!

and I mean PLAY! The event is going to be hosting everything from a Marshmallow Smores bar, to Beer Pong & a HOT TUB. Someone pass me my bikini & a fur hat!

Tickets are available here and cost £40.00

WigwamBam at Queen of Hoxton
This bar I hold very closely to my heart as one of the first bar’s I went to in London, and may I just say – WOW! The transformation that the Queen of Hoxton rooftop takes from Summer to Winter is absolutely extraordinary. Attracting a nice mix of well-dressed hipsters, to casually dressed bankers sneaking over from Liverpool Street, this is a never-fail winter warmer.

The Montague Ski Lodge
Let is snow! If you are looking for a serious Winter Wonderland, look no further than The Montague Ski Lodge! A little bit of a different set-up, you will need to buy a ski pass, BUT… this comes the full-she-bang of the Montague Ski Lodge Experience sided with a mini turkey burger, bratwurst and deep fried camembert as well as three beverages from a choice of 12 options. £25.00 per person. More details here

Well then… I think that’s at least three good reasons to get Piste’d!

North London: Best Gastropubs 2014

The all mighty Michelin Star has spoken, and the top Gastropubs for 2014 have been dished out on a platter full of deliciousness.

I must admit, I am pleased, mainly because a few of these spots I am yet to try and now have no reason for delay!

So my North London gals, if your still looking for a new years resolution, I believe dining at the below should definitely be making it on the list.

Smokehouse
63–69 Canonbury Rd, Islington, N1 2DG;smokehouseislington.co.uk
Not only will your tummy thank you for all the deliciousness, but your conscious will feel warm & fuzzy knowing that you’ve eaten the best produce sourced from small, family owned businesses!

Parlour, Brent

5 Regent Street, Kensal Rise, NW10 5L; parlourkensal.com
A little tip…. treat yourself and the gals to the Chef’s table and prepare yourself for a rather spectacular finale *have a sneak peak here 

Bull & Last 
168 Highgate Road, Highgate, NW5 1QS; thebullandlast.co.uk
Nestled between the trees of Hampstead Heath, this rustic gastropub is owned by what can only be described as a passionate bunch of lads (see below!) I promise you that the menu will have you lunging for the nearest fork!

The Drapers Arms 
44 Barnsbury St, London N1 1ER; thedrapersarms.com
A very traditional menu of all your usual Gastropub suspects, but paired with a quaint little Garden, perfect for this Sunday afternoon wind-downs

St John’s Tavern 
91 Junction Rd, Holloway, N19 5QU; stjohnstavern.com
A menu inspired by the owners travels & wanderings, prepare yourself for British cuisine with European regional cooking inspiration, oh and locally sourced, so ‘Gold Star’ for that one!

Love to see your snaps or hear about your pub-adventures by sharing via #girlinapub

Baby it’s cold outside…. Let’s go to WinterVille

It’s Sunday night, dark by 3pm…. what to do? Call ya bestie and head to WinterVille for a night of Mulled Wine & Danceoffs – OF COURSE!

If you haven’t heard already, WinterVille is the adult take on Winter Wonderland… so think same same, but without thousands of screaming children.

A couple of bi-lines….
*I spent most of the night in the bar, therefore this counts as a ‘Girl in a Pub’ moment 
*I was having so much fun I forgot to take photos so I’ve borrowed some fabulous ones by other WinterVille lovers 

Here are my top tips for those looking some something a little merry to do this Winter….

1. Wear flats, you’ve got at least a 15 minute walk from the nearest tube (Mile End, Bethnal Green)

2. Head straight to the Bar Humbug for a Mulled Wine, but be warned – you may not leave as each RnB classic is dropped and then followed by some serious Mariah Christmas mashup! *Table Dancing soon follows 

3. Eat. There is a whole bunch of amazing food stalls (think Street Feast!) Some of my favs include SmokeStack and Crabbie Shack…. but don’t take my word for it – Feast your eyes on the full list of deliciousness here ’26 things to eat at WinterVille’

4. Bring cash, like most pop-ups this is a cash only spot. Although plenty of ATMs, it’s a nice queue to avoid. While on the topic of cash, I must say I felt the prices were *okay*… £4.50 for a mulled wine, can’t complain.

5. Take a date. Romatic levels through the roof at every corner of WinterVille. Did I mention they have sleigh rides!!

In a whole, just go. 

x

FREE BEER!

You think I’m just trying to get your attention with the header don’t you… but NO, I tell the truth!

Those dashing lads at London Pride have just launched a new campaign for all those socially (media) savvy drinkers out there called #EmptyPint 

What do you have to do? 

What next? Find yourself a pint here: http://www.fullers.co.uk/emptypint and of course, drink responsibility It’d recommend with friends and a cheese platter.

Top Three Bangers & Mash in London for #SausageWeek

More over #PancakeDay, It’s #NationalSausageWeek!

Generally we are anti-sausage-fest with our venue selection, but the below will deg to differ otherwise. So here we go, our top picks this week for the best Bangers & Mash!

1. West London: Newman Street Tavern, 48 Newman St, London W1T 1QQ
The greatest thing about Sausages, you can have them for Breakfast, Lunch or Tea! The chefs at Newham Street Tavern have shaken up the basic Bangers & Mash to give you a breaky special of Chorizo, Potato & Fried Eggs!

2. East London: The Hat & Tun, 3 Hatton Wall, London EC1N 8HX
These guys are dishing out the goods this week with a £5 special to dominate #SausageWeek! Can’t go wrong with the fiver.

3.  South West London: The Princess Victoria, 217 Uxbridge Rd, London W12 9DH
Because nothing is better than home-made! That’s right, park yourself up at The Princess Victoria for some seriously heart-warming Sausages.

Top Four: Halloween hot-spots for ghostly gals!

Well hello there my ghostly gals! So I’ve done some Sherlock style investigating into the top spots to check out in London this Halloween..

1. For the best Instagram snaps, Bluebird in Chelsea 

Now girls, the only thing more important than the perfect Halloween outfit selfie, is the perfect #PumpkinPatch Instagram! Make sure you get down the Bluebird, grab a glass of bubbles and insta your little heart out!

pic: @hannahjmartin

2. For Cocktails that go BOO in the night, Kengsinton Place

Yes that’s right, that is a cocktail inside a pumpkin, I’m not really too sure what else to say here, but I certainly are a sucker for a little novelty cocktail!

3. For the beer drinking babes, Camden Brewery

Those smart cookies at Camden Brewery have crafted up a Pumpkin Spiced Larger, with promises of scary stuff!

4. For those looking for the All Hallows!, Stapleton Tavern

For an evening of witches, wizardry and wonder, the Stapelton Tavern will be serving up the lock with a Halloween inspired menu, pumpkin carving, apple bobbing, spooky tunes and black and white horror films! *Fancy dress encouraged!

CURRENTLY EATING!

Hello & welcome (well, nearly!)

In short, the girls are busy eating away and eager to launch ‘A girl in a pub’ in shortly with lots of deliciousness to bring into the new year!

If you ARE A PUB – give us a shout, we’d love to come have a beer *or maybe a mulled wine and check out your pad!

Contact us on:  girlinapub@gmail.com