Medcalf, Clerkenwell, London

After a really really shitty day last weekend, my friends took me here for roast dinner. YUMS! Oh my god, this might not beat the Duchess in Battersea for my favourite roast ever, but it does certainly equal it, and it’s easier to get to.

I’m impressed. I like the decor (although the place does look like a corridor) and I hear rumours of a garden out back. It was too rainy to sit out there though. They also had mulled wine.

We had the best waitress. Really. She was friendly, helpful and really looked like she wanted to be there. That’s pretty rare on a Sunday so points to here.

Now, back to that roast. Yorkshire puddings, piles of veg and a huge amount of beef. The horseradish was the only let down as it was more like horseradish mayonnaise and I would have preferred mine a bit stronger. This pub made me feel so much better I almost ordered a glass of wine to go with my dinner.

I’ll be back. Lots. Yums.

Medcalf bar looks like some random trendy-ish bar in a popular bar area (Exmouth Market, Farringdon). However, decided to try the food there the other day and was very pleasantly surprised. The roast beef was just about the best I’ve had for many years, though to be fair, slightly pricey compared to the usual gastro-pub affair.

I used to work in this area and would find any excuse for taking a prospective client for lunch if it meant I could take them somewhere down Exmouth Market, a veritable gauntlet for the food lover.

Medcalf is one of my favourite spots on the street, the food is based on quality seasonal produce and you really do get the feeling that they have been to the market that morning, picked the best produce and then created a menu with their shopping.

Great quality food and a nice atmosphere. It gets very very busy here and its not a big place so book ahead if you can.

What a lovely, lovely place. I must have walked past here many a time, but today I just couldn’t resist it. It was cold and windy outside and my friend and I had just enjoyed - yet another - wonderful evening at Sadler’s Wells. Having had a couple of drinks during the interval we were looking for somewhere to have one last drink and, perhaps a snack.
Exmouth Market is one of these few magic spots in London, and the exterior of Medcalf promised a cosy atmosphere. Our expectations were exceeded with the year’s first offering of mulled wine. As it was quite late we decided to resist the temptations of the menu and just indulged in some fat chips; normally served with mayo, but our demands for ketchup were met - twice.
Can’t wait to come back and sample some more of the delicious sounding food.
Did I mention how wonderful the staff are at this place - we only spent an hour here on our way home, but the experience left me glowing. (no, that’s not just the mulled wine)