Open daily for food 10am–11pm
The style:
You can picture The Broadway Bar and Grill as it would be in the midst of winter: the large, patterned windows coated in frost; the mismatched leather chairs offering a welcome rest from the chill outside; the mirrors that run around the wall between raw brickwork and wood panelling, reflecting back rosy cheeks. The 17th Century building certainly has a relaxed atmosphere about it; infused with the sense of flopping down after a hard day. I arrived at 7pm on a Thursday; just after 8pm a female vocalist provided entertainment to the dulcet tones of her guitar, further adding to the laid-back ambience.
Autumn had come out of nowhere when sat I down to eat with a friend, thawing the blazing sunshine of the previous week, and the restaurant offered up an abundance of warm and hearty dishes. Our table was rustic, in contrast to the sleek black and cream menus, which we perused beneath white spotlight lamps, whose brightness was softened by hanging red drapes. We pondered our choices for a while: to eat from the grill; the specials card; the burger menu?
In the end we started with a plate of sticky pork croquettas with capers (£7.00). These were more-than-bitesized and packed full of tender meat inside a crispy coating. The capers offset the sweetness of the pork and we made sure to divvy up the leftover piece. Albeit a very tasty choice, we discovered it to be quite a filling one upon the arrival of our mains.
I opted for the zucchini jambalaya with vegan sausages, peppers and spices (£11.00). As an ex-vegetarian, I always think it is a sign of merit when a kitchen can whip up a good meat-free option. The jambalaya turned out to be a mixed bag. The sausages were surprisingly flavoursome and the vegetables fresh and chunky, but the overall effect was slightly bland and would have benefited from more seasoning. My dining companion was thoroughly pleased with her choice: chicken and shrimp Gumbo with smoked sausage, peppers and garlic (£13.00), which she said was bursting with flavour. Underestimating the generous portion sizes, we also ordered a side of (not entirely needed) perfectly crispy and salted French fries (£3.00).
Against our better judgement, we found room for dessert. Ever the chocolate fiend, I went for the chocolate crumble tart with crème fraiche and raspberries (£5.50). The latter turned out to be a sorbet, which was a slightly sickly accompaniment. Nevertheless, the rich tart was melt-in-the-mouth and delicious. Across the table from me, my friend tucked into strawberries and cream with basil shortbread (£5.50), a dish which I eyed up enviously, particularly the dollop of cream, which was sweetened to perfection. I ought to have helped her out; there was enough shortbread for two and she struggled to finish the course.
The wine menu was fairly extensive and included a selection of sparkling wines and more indulgently priced champagne. We shared a bottle of Pinot Grigio delle Venezie (£19.50) alongside our meal; a safe but satisfying option.
This is the ideal choice if you want to kick back and enjoy scrumptious, wholesome food – and lots of it. Book yourself in for one of the chilly Sundays that is fast approaching and enjoy course after course, or unwind after a day in the office – but perhaps go easy on the sides.
