Last Updated on December 27, 2024
The ultimate Sunday roast in the City
4.5 out of 5.0 stars
I’ve long held the belief that a home-cooked Sunday roast is almost impossible to beat. While I would never turn down a roast at a restaurant or pub, there’s usually something that doesn’t quite hit the mark (often the potatoes in my experience). However, my visit to 1 Lombard Street to review their Sunday roast proved me completely wrong. After hearing glowing recommendations from a friend, I was eager to see what the fuss was all about and I must admit, it exceeded all expectations.
Feeling surprisingly spritely for a Sunday, I set off into the City. The peaceful 15-minute walk from London Bridge was a welcome break from the usual weekday hustle, with time to take in landmarks like Tower Bridge and the Shard. Besides, I thought it wise to build up an appetite while picking up my friend along the way who, let’s just say, was very much in need of a Bloody Mary.
The restaurant itself sits right across from the Bank of England, with the Royal Exchange just next door, right in the heart of the City. Once a bank, the building impresses both inside and out with its grand neoclassical design. Immediately as you enter you will notice a stunning glass cupola, flooding the space with natural light while a sleek 360-degree bar designed by Pietro Agostini sits underneath. The atmosphere at 1 Lombard Street is formal yet inviting with beautifully set tables, thick linen napkins and perfectly attentive service that’s there when you need it but never overbearing.
James Holden, the executive chef at 1 Lombard Street, crafts a menu that champions the best of British cuisine with a focus on sustainability and seasonality. His commitment to sourcing top-quality, local ingredients is evident throughout all the dishes. The roast itself, complete with all the trimmings, is available for £35 per person. And for those looking to celebrate (or simply because, why not?) the bottomless option is £55, offering two hours of Bloody Marys, House Wine, Mimosas, and Draught Beer. An absolute steal, if you ask me.
Mindful of the busy Monday ahead we showed some restraint and decided not to go bottomless. However, I couldn’t resist starting with a glass of delightfully bubbly Delamotte Brut Champagne. As for my friend, their much-needed Bloody Mary arrived, packing a serious punch and proving to be the perfect cure for Saturday night’s antics.
The menu at 1 Lombard Street is thoughtfully structured with snacks, starters, roasts, and desserts – a refreshing change from the small plates trend that seems to dominate London dining these days. Not wanting to fill up too much before the main event, we decided to share three of the snacks.
The English Yellow Pea Hummus was gorgeously creamy, with roasted garlic and pine nuts as a garnish. The garlic infused the hummus beautifully, complementing the natural earthy flavours of the peas. Coupled with freshly baked sourdough that was still warm from the oven, we were in heaven.
The Beef Short Rib Croquettes were every bit as indulgent as they sounded with tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat, encircled by a perfectly crisp exterior. The mustard sauce served alongside worked well as a contrast in flavour, cutting through the richness of the meat with just the right amount of tang.
We also tried the salt cod croquettes, which were lightly fried so as not to overpower the flavour of cod in the centre. Delicate, warm and fluffy they were exquisite with the cooling tartare sauce.
Now for the main event. Every roast comes with all the classic trimmings, leaving only one decision: Salt-Aged Sirloin of Beef, Roasted Chicken Breast, Dingley Dell Pork Belly or a Vegan Celeriac Roast. After much deliberation and a little encouragement from our lovely waiter, we both opted for the beef served medium rare.
Eagerly anticipating the feast, we ordered two glasses of Claude Val red wine to pair with the meat. Our mains arrived promptly, accompanied by a seemingly endless parade of sides. Plating our food elegantly was a challenge – it all looked so delicious and we couldn’t wait to dig in. One thing’s for sure: they certainly don’t scrimp on portions at 1 Lombard Street.
The beef was cooked to absolute perfection, lightly salted, plump and juicy, needing no trimmings to elevate it. But let’s be honest, a roast is all about the trimmings and 1 Lombard Street certainly has you covered.
Crispy roast potatoes with an almost buttery soft centre instantly derailed my belief that home-cooked roasts are always superior. A generously sized Yorkshire pudding which initially seemed a bit too charred for my liking, proved me wrong again with its light almost gooey centre, carrying a subtle sweetness.
The root vegetables were beautifully coated in butter and herbs, firm to the bite on the outside but soft and tender within. Pigs in blankets, wrapped in perfectly crispy bacon had us very excited for Christmas. Both red and white cabbage had clearly been cooked slowly to enhance their natural flavours, while the brussel sprouts rounded out the medley. The standout side, however, was the cauliflower cheese (at an £8 substitute). Rich, creamy and wonderfully indulgent with each floret smothered in a luxurious cheese sauce and served bubbling and golden, straight from the oven.
And of course, a roast wouldn’t be complete without gravy. A jug of smooth, velvety goodness was provided for coating our already overflowing plates – totally necessary. Just when you think it couldn’t get any better, there’s this: all the sides and gravy are bottomless. Yes, bottomless. As I’m sure you can imagine, this was an epicureans feast. We literally ate in silence for the first five minutes just to savour each mouthful.
I say this every time, but please make sure to save room for dessert unlike us. The selection sounded incredible and I was torn just reading the menu. For me, it would have been a tough choice between the pear crumble with vanilla custard or the vanilla crème brûlée.
We had such a fantastic time at 1 Lombard Street, and I couldn’t recommend it more especially for their Sunday roast. It’s an amazing dining experience well worth the price and one I’ll be returning for.
City of London,
London
EC3V, 9AA
For more Sunday Lunch ideas check our roundup of London’s Best Sunday Roasts
