As the chillier weather descends, there is nothing more comforting than a classic Sunday roast. Except perhaps a Sunday roast with cocktails. Try one of these options this weekend …
For the Traditionalist – FXB, various locations
It goes without saying that the folks at FXB know a thing or two about beef and the Sunday roast offering is no exception. €19.50 will get you a heaving plate of perfectly cooked (to your liking) roast beef, stuffing, crunchy vegetables with a generous swirl of horseradish and lashings of gravy on the side. It never disappoints and the Sunday special of an €8 Bloody Mary also appeals. www.thebuckleycollection.ie.
For the Casual Cohort – Eleven, Loughlinstown, Dublin 18
Eleven recently launched their new lunch menu from Thursday – Saturday but for me, it would have to be the Sunday roast. My weekend wishlist would kick start with a starter of cured beef carpaccio with aged parmesan and extra virgin olive oil followed by free range rack of Irish pork with apple sauce. Other roast options include roast beef striploin and corn fed chicken. There may or may not be cheese and cocktails involved too. Sunday lunch is served from 12pm-4pm. www.elevendublin.ie.
For the Wine Enthusiast – The Wild Goose Grill, Ranelagh
A Ranelagh favourite, Sunday lunch at The Wild Goose Grill is often my go-to when I am craving a dining experience with a touch of formality but zero stuffiness. Two courses costs €33.95 and include starters such as duck confit and crab croquette with avocado puree, saffron aioli and roasted pepper salsa while main course options include a classic roast beef (with a €10 supplement) with their excellent goose potatoes. There is also an extensive wine list to choose from, with the expert team on hand to guide pairing suggestions. The Sunday lunch menu is served all day on Sundays from 1pm-7.30pm. www.thewildgoosegrill.ie.
For the Indecisive – The Roast Club at The River Lee Hotel, Cork
Even just the name, ‘The Roast Club’ is enough to make me weak at the knees but there is more to this offering from The Grill Room at The River Club than just a seductive name. The special menu for two includes three premium Irish meats including Irish Angus steak with grilled asparagus, a rack and shoulder of Irish lamb with shallot and thyme stuffing and a roast supreme of Irish chicken with foie gras duxelle. The sharing board is priced at €70 for 2 and includes sides such as truffle pomme purée, honey-glazed local carrots, pont neuf potato, red wine jus and béarnaise sauce. Just add wine. www.theriverclubcork.ie.
For the Cocktail Lover – Brookwood, Dublin 2
At Brookwood Dublin, the Sunday roast experience might be limited to beef but this can hardly be a surprise, considering it is a steakhouse. Smack bang in the centre of Dublin, Brookwood is perfectly placed for a languid Sunday lunch followed by a walk around St Stephen’s Green. The succulent, slow-roasted beef takes centre stage, and is served with Yorkshire pudding, roasted carrots, smoked cheese and pancetta cabbage, mash and gravy. To complement the feast, Brookwood offers a curated selection of signature cocktails including a classic Bloody Mary, Mimosa or a Vodka Martini for those of a certain disposition. There are lots of other options on the menu apart from the classic roast but for me, it would have to be the Bloody Mary, a salad of whipped Gorgonzola cheese followed by the classic roast beef. www.brookwooddublin.com.
Other great Sunday roast options include the recently reopened Legal Eagle on Chancery Place, Dublin 1, the highly regarded Old Spot on Bath Avenue, The 51 Bar on Haddington Road for a classic carvery, Fade Street Social in Dublin 2 and the modestly priced offering from the newly opened Ox Horn Grill on Mespil Road, Dublin 4.