Nestled down the far side of Northcote Road, it’s easy to forget about the Bolingbroke as there are so many places to eat and drink before you even land there.
The whole road tends to be a haven for young families and this pub is no different – if you’re after a typical boozer, or a kids-free zone, don’t bother. However it’s far from masquerading as a creche; the atmosphere is laid back, friendly and more often than not the kids are well behaved.
Anyway, onto the important stuff. We had difficulty choosing our food (we went for lunch on a Saturday, they have a different menu for weekdays and Sundays), the list being so extensive, not forgetting a large specials board too.
Lobster and crayfish potato cakes with bloody mary mayo, and shredded ham hock, rocket, pear, pomegranate and walnut salad
You’ve got the typical hearty gastro dishes but everything has a twist to it. Our duck was served not a l’orange, but with a sweet fig sauce, and the fish cakes were a cut above – lobster and crayfish, anyone?
Sea bream with new potatoes, black olives and green beans
Duck breast, potato mille-feuille, steamed romanesco and fig gravy
The portions are just right – the servings don’t look obscene, Man vs Food style, but they’re generous. Our salad had more than enough ham hock (there’s nothing worse than a tiny bit of meat hiding under a heap of lettuce, right?).
The hearty portions meant we were too full for dessert but we’ll be back soon, if only to try the Nutella Gnocchi…
South London Life 