Forget afternoon tea and scotch eggs, it's the Sunday roast that is the most British of British food institutions. As food continues to globalise, we’re not surprised our Torontonian friends are catching on to it. And what's not to love? The melt in your mouth meat, crispy potatoes and greens, all smothered in rich gravy and l laid beside a fluffy Yorkshire pudding. Finish it all off with a pint of lager and bob's your uncle!
Here’s an inside track on where in The 6 to find, if we’re honest, one of the only British food trends worth sharing. East or west? Don't worry we've got you sorted on both fronts. Browse the gallery below for our recommendations.
Ceili Cottage
Leslieville
OK, this is technically an Irish pub rather than a British pub, but if you’re the kind of person who cares about that kind of thing, frankly, we don’t want to be friends with you. And we don’t give people who aren’t friends recommendations for dinner, so you best keep your prejudice to yourself. Anyway, this homely celtic Irish pub’s Sunday roast includes crown roast of pork with apple sauce, carrots, potatoes and parsnips and a hearty slab of crackling, as well as authentic duck fat Yorkshire puddings. Need we say more?
Given that they’re both British, it probably won’t surprise you that Andrew Carter and Jamieson Kerr – who’s also the man behind Crush Wine Bar on King West – put their take on the roast in a little box and brought it with them to Canada (not literally – that would be messy and it would have gone cold by the time they landed, silly) at their pub the Queen and Beaver. As well as British-inspired dishes like lamb shank pudding and beef and potato pie, you can grab a classic roast to make your lazy Sunday that bit lazier. And tastier. Oh – book in advance by Thursday to make sure you’re catered for.
You want Sunday roasts? Here, have ALL the Sunday roasts. The Borough’s Sunday menu is a complete takeover – as well it should be, with chef Jason Ashworth having done time (not in that way) at The Garrison in London, England. "The yorkies are served full-sized on Sundays, as part of traditional roast,” he says. “Simply seasoned and generously portioned chicken, beef or pork come sided with roast potatoes, local root vegetables and an intense red-wine jus. Everything is as it should be, down to the sizzling dripping into which the chef pours the Yorkshire pudding batter." Expect to pay $20 to $25 for the pleasure.
A second appearance in this list for the Queen and Beaver team – as well as the aforementioned, they also run Yorkville Ave pub the Oxley. Its bright red front means you can’t miss it – dive in there on a Sunday for a simple, hearty roast beef and Yorkshire puddings (that means pancake batter baked in the oven until it’s fluffy, crispy and souffle-shaped, for those late to the party) for $26. There are also rotating seasonal cask ales alongside proper English ale in the form of Old Speckled Hen and Fuller’s.
From the old wooden chairs, massive painting of Queen Elizabeth II above the fireplace and apparently ‘relaxed’ service (if we’re being diplomatic) and the, er, name didn’t give the game away, House on Parliament has a bit of a crush on little, coquettish old Britain. It’s not advertised, but it does a cracking prime rib roast on a Sunday – get there early to guarantee you’re not disappointed.
The Feathers isn’t shy – it claims to be the 6’s oldest British pub (not an enormous claim, seeing as it was opened in 1981). Whatever its age, if the quintessentially English photos that line the walls don’t make you feel like you’re in Blighty, the prime rib with Yorkshire pudding and mash it serves Friday-Sunday definitely will.
