Left to fend for themselves, Melanie Woodcock and her clan go looking for Sunday sustenance...
It’s a beautiful sunny Sunday and mum has come over all selfish on us. She’s gone away for the weekend enjoying herself. ‘How dare she?’ comes the collective cry of we family members left behind to fend for ourselves.
Luckily for us Costessey Park Golf Club is a few minutes away and I had heard exceptional reviews of their Sunday carvery.
With hunger gnawing at our bellies, we arrive in the stunning grounds of the club. Its 22 degrees outside and while tempted to sit in the sun and enjoy the spectacular view of the greens, streams and the old hall, we head inside. This is England and, well, you never know what the weather may decide to do.
Jerninghams sits high up with a newly-refurbished patio. I challenge you to find a better view on a fine day, be it for a meal or drinks. The tables are well set, the surroundings clean, bright and unpretentious and the welcome and service extremely friendly and helpful. The golfer among us is in heaven and the thankfully well-behaved grandchild can help himself from a toy box in the corner. The regulars, it seems, really are like family and the owners can’t do enough to make you feel at home.
We opt for the main meal and dessert; though the choice of starters is varied, the smell and sight of the carvery leads us there first.
There is a choice of beef – the right side of pink – or pork with very generous servings of crackling that I cannot resist (hope my dentist isn’t reading this), massive home-made Yorkshire puds, crispy roast potatoes, boiled potatoes and a multitude of veg including broccoli and cauliflower in a rich creamy sauce. There’s a vegetarian option and then gravy that is nearly as good as mum’s (hope my mum isn’t reading this).
A good roast would be my last meal if I was ever unfortunate enough to find myself in that position and I still appreciate its tradition of good English cooking and the opportunity for the family to get together at the end of the week. Jerninghams serves a great roast in family-friendly surroundings without the all morning prep and after meal clearing up. It’s brilliant value for money, especially when you can pile your plate high and pour on lashings of tasty gravy without worrying about leaving enough for other people.
The choice of dessert catered for the very healthy, with fruit salad or fresh strawberries, and for the sweet-toothed, with lemon meringue or a home made blackberry and apple pie with custard. To be honest even considering a dessert after a huge roast was unnecessary but we were all glad we did with the promise to not eat anything more for the rest of the day.
So when mum’s away, or when only a home-made tasty roast will do, head off to Jerninghams. This is how all Sunday carveries should be.
Bookings in advance only
£13.75 for two courses, £18.25 for three courses.
Jerninghams, Costessey Park Golf Club, Old Costessey, Norwich, 01603 746333, www.costesseypark.com
