We sniff out the top five roast dinners to divvy up because sharing is caring
DON’T know about you but divvying up my Sunday roast is just not a concept I ever thought I could get onboard with. Sunday lunch is the highlight of my week and those crispy spuds drowned in gravy require my undivided attention. To my absolute horror though, I’ve noticed an emerging trend for sharing roasts popping up in various places around the city so I thought I’d better do some investigation…
After being knee-deep in pictures of giant Sunday roasts piled high with trimmings and tasty-looking meat cuts, I’m coming around to the idea. So, whether you’re a Joey Tribbiani who usually “DOESN’T SHARE FOOD”, or someone who was in the day they taught the value of sharing at school, let these fine examples of a roast platter for two and more get your juices flowin’.
Mason’s All Day Kitchen & Bar
Mason’s is fairly fresh on the Liverpool food and drink scene but is turning heads so fast with its new sharing roasts, they’re at risk of whiplash. The brains behind the operation wanted to bring a sense of family dining to the table – literally – without any of the washing-up after. Winner, winner, chicken dinner. Speaking of chicken dinners, guests can choose from a whole roast chicken, a large piece of beef or a homemade nut roast. All come served with thyme roasties, cauliflower cheese, seasonal greens, gravy and supersize Yorkshire puddings (because nobody likes a little Yorkie).
Available every Sunday from 1pm ’til it’s gone; £10pp (limited introductory offer).
Mason’s All Day Kitchen & Bar, 42 Seel Street, L1 4AU
Ma Boyle’s
Roast Fondue. Never in the history of the world have two words ever looked better next to each other. That’s what’s on the Sunday menu at Ma Boyle’s and it’s every bit as drool-worthy as it sounds. We’re talking eight-hour slow-cooked beef brisket, roast chicken or roast pork served with all the seasonal trimmings, but wait… the pièce de résistance is the tear-n-share Yorkshire pudding waffles and, of course, no roast fondue would be complete without a rich red wine gravy for dunkin’, would it? The Ma Boyle’s Sunday roast is created in collaboration with European café Bøck and shot to viral fame with nine million views on a UniLad video. So don’t just take our word for it – people travel far and wide for the pleasure. Veggie, vegan and gluten-free options also available.
Roast Fondue available on Sundays; £15pp.
Ma Boyle’s, Tower Building, 7 Tower Gardens, L3 1LG
Bastion Bar & Restaurant
The Shankly Hotel is celebrated for its summer events schedule and gorgeous rooftop suntrap, but we reckon it’s going to be a winter favourite too with the new sharing roast platters at the venue’s Bastion Restaurant. Carnivores can choose from a whole spatchcock roast chicken or slow-roasted beef rump with beef dripping and bottomless veal jus. Herbivores get to enjoy a slow-roasted butternut squash with pistachio and chestnut stuffing and a silky port reduction. All platters come decorated with a rainbow of winter veggies, including roast potatoes, parsnips, broccoli, and carrot and swede mash. Sign us up.
Available Sundays; two adults £40 including dessert; two adults and two children £40, not including dessert.
Bastion Bar & Restaurant, The Shankly Hotel, Millennium House, 60 Victoria Street, L1 6JH
Slim’s Bold Street
Slim’s is the place to be if you’ve a penchant for sharing trays, and the Sunday roast sharer is certainly not one to be missed. I mean, you might be able to polish one off all to yourself but if you want to leave room for a few of Slim’s famous Bottled Cocktails then tucking in together is a good idea. Take your pick from smoked brisket (New York style), whole roast chicken or nut roast with homemade Yorkshire puddings and all the trimmings. Oh, and remember, once they’re gone… they’re gone.
Available on Sundays until they run out, pre-booking required; £14.95pp.
Slim’s Bold Street, 108 Bold Street, L1 4DJ
The Boat House
If you fancy escaping the city for a nice wholesome walk in the wilderness across the water, you’re going to want to make a pitstop at The Boat House in Parkgate. A – because it’s spitting distance from the famous Nicholls ice cream shop. B – because the views are bloody gorgeous. And C – because you can tuck into the Great British Sunday Roast Platter. The board is designed to serve two people and comes laden with all of the most quintessential Sunday lunch ingredients, including a selection of roast meats, pigs in blankets, stuffing, mash, roasties, carrot and swede, red cabbage, mixed greens, Yorkshire puds and a big ol’ bottomless helping of gravy. You might want to avoid the ferry back over the Mersey though – you’ll sink to the bottom after that lot.
Available on Sundays; £34.95 for two.
The Boat House, 1 The Parade, Parkgate, Wirral, CH64 6RN
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Like that? Try this – Five of the best things to eat around Liverpool (and Chester) – November 2019