Review of Roast, Borough market

After a beverage at the Old Thameside Inn, which is a lovely pub btw, we trundled over to Roast, above borough market. I was so looking forward to eating here, and couldn't believe our luck when they had a table available.  It was heaving. This was a Friday night in central London after all. We had to sit in the bar area, but as it turns out, it’s really not so different to the restaurant area. There are just some people standing around, at the bar and what not, and the chairs are lower and not so good for anyone who has back issues! Anyway, we were in. Piano music was drifting across the bar and the hum of people who had been drinking fancy cocktails was gradually rising. 

Roast markets itself as classical British food using brilliant British ingredients. And it absolutely is those things. The ingredients were the highest quality and were cooked perfectly in a traditional manner. We sat down to the fried duck egg and duck livers with smoked black pudding and baked Dorset crab with Berkswell cheese to start, and followed those with slow braised pig’s cheeks with parsnip mash and roast Yorkshire Grouse with Damson jelly, game chips and gravy. All of which were good, but seemed to lack the little jet of excitement and seasoning! That is apart from the crab, which was particularly salty.

The great seller for Roast is the view, so try and make it for lunch if you’re going to visit. So you can watch the hoards of people bustle through the market place below. The ambiance is also fantastic. The service however is mediocre and the real sticking point for me was the lack of interest on the plate and the simplicity for the price they’re charging. For the amount charged I would expect a little more going on, a little something exciting. For 2 courses, for 2 people, without any drinks or sides, came to about £100. But judging by the number of people they couldn’t seem to seat on time, I’m sure they will not be missing my custom, not even a bit.

Roast

The Floral Hall

Stoney Street

London SE11 1TL

Tel for reservations 0845 034 7300