The Bell
BREAKING THE HABIT
24 hours ago we had no plans for today, or anything of any substance in the fridge, so an invitation from friends to meet for lunch was impeccably timed. It also means we’re travelling out into the Warwickshire countryside for a pub roast; something we seemed to have lost the habit of doing.
It’s a 1 o’clock table and I’ve no idea when I last ate Sunday lunch so early without elderly parents involved. I’m worried enough to forgo breakfast to ensure I’ve got the appropriate level of appetite. I’m clearly confused as I order a bitter shandy before realising, as the non-driver, I’ve missed out on a Bloody Mary.
There are four starters, five variations on roasts and five desserts but it’s a unanimous decision to go straight in for the main event. I’m undecided between beef sirloin and leg of lamb but we’re told they can do us Yorkshires with any roast, so three lambs and one beef it is, with extra gravy too.
It’s a large, elegant and comfortable open plan room, making the most of its 300 year old shell with stained glass, polished wooden floor and largely matt- almost black décor. Looking around, it’s full of diners with elderly parents and I think we’re actually bringing down the average age in the room, which doesn’t happen very often.
The food arrives prompting a minor panic as we’ve been chatting so intently we’ve forgotten about booze and three of us order large glasses of red. It’s a welcoming plate of food, with the lamb donning a sprig of rosemary with pride, if not a little embarrassed by the pile of rocket on the plate.
Two slices of well done lamb—we weren’t offered the option of pink—sit on new potatoes, a couple of fairly anaemic mini-roast potatoes and date stuffing that’s gorgeously lightly sweet and caramel. There’s a very drinkable minted gravy—and it’s a gravy, even if the menu calls it a jus—and I’m self congratulating myself on my choice when the Yorkshire puddings land, almost sending me into a spin. They are pure Aunt Bessie and I’m not even grateful it’s free, although I’m thoroughly relieved I didn’t have the beef.
Leg of English lamb, date stuffing, minted jus (erm… gravy)
There’s a plate of savoy cabbage, green beans, carrots, cauliflower and broccoli all with perfect bite. It’s a decent pile for two but upon realising it’s for four, I’m worried my now rampant hunger has led me to take more than my share. My glass of red arrives just as I’ve reached my final few forkfuls and looking up I see everyone else is around the halfway stage.
I’d normally want a decent gap before dessert, but I seize the opportunity to get our order in as the plates are being taken away. Our friends opt to share an apple and date bread and butter pudding and we each order an apple pie and custard.
Apple & date bread & butter pudding
It’s a good looking pud, but two spoonfuls into the super sweet apple-filled flabby ‘pastry’ pie with its dreary custard, I’m suddenly no longer fooled by its sprinkle of icing sugar, wedge of strawberry and sprig of mint. I’d wager both the pie and the custard come from the same supplier they get the frozen Yorkshire puddings from. It’s every bit as disappointing.
Apple pie & custard
The bill comes in at £162.19 including the tip and £3.50 for the what I thought were ‘free’ Yorkshire puddings, which is almost amusing, although £8 for the apple pie and custard hurts.
It’s been great catching up with friends and all the more pleasurable for the invitation out the blue and getting out into the countryside. Yorkshire pudding aside it’s certainly not a bad Sunday roast, but given the many excellent options in Birmingham pubs now, it’s little wonder we broke the habit.
The Green, Tanworth in Arden, B94 5AL
