Review: Magnolia Brasserie Sunday Lunch

There’s nothing quite like a proper Sunday lunch... unless it’s a Sunday lunch created by one of the most highly-regarded team of chefs for miles! We were fortunate enough to go to Sudbury House’s Magnolia Brasserie to sample their version of the most important meal of the week.

As we pulled up outside Sudbury House, we couldn’t believe our luck. Not only were we in store for a fantastic meal, but the weather was incredible, too. It was the perfect excuse to make the most of Sudbury House’s spacious al fresco terrace for a couple of drinks before we sat down for our meal.

The sunshine called for a tall, cold Hendrick’s Gin and No.9 Tonic, served over ice with a cucumber garnish. My wife, the designated driver, perused the mocktail menu and settled for a Shirley Temple; lemon, lime and grenadine, served with a glace cherry.

As it was such a glorious day, our friendly waitress allowed us to read through the menus while taking our time soaking up some rays with our drinks. We were instantly drawn to the starter... 

My wife and I shared the Baked Camembert, Plum & Apple Chutney and Sourdough board for two, which was incredible. The camembert was baked with sprigs of thyme poked into the hard outer-flesh and infused the rest of the cheese with a fantastic flavour, and the crunchy sourdough bread was perfect for tearing dipping and scooping the cheese. The chutney added a really tangy, sharp contrast to the creamy cheese. A very satisfying way to start to the meal!

There are two options for your classic Sunday Lunch on the Magnolia Brasserie menu, my wife ordered the Roast Topside of Beer with THE BIGGEST Yorkshire Pudding I've ever seen. I was so big it looked like it defied gravity. I went for the Roast Loin of Pork with Apple Sauce, which came with a perfect piece of crackling, which wasn't too hard or salty, which some crackling suffers from, but this was the perfect blend of crunch and flavour. Both dishes came with crispy, fluffy roast potatoes, rich gravy, a beautiful creamy mashed suede and greens. Simple, yet exceedingly effective.

After our delicious mains, we thought it would be rude not to look at the dessrt menu! Unsurprisingly, there were plenty of options that had us salivating. I went for the Peanut & Chocolate Parfait, served with Banana and Lime Sorbet. Once you cracked the hard, choclately shell, the parfait was creamy, smooth and delicious. Chocolate and peanuts are one of my favourite flavour combinations, but the different elements and textures kept this familiar pairing a pleasant surprise. My wife chose the Lemon Sorbet, which was a great option for the warm weather, and the bitter, icy lemon did a great job of finishing the meal on a high.

With tummies full and paletes cleansed, we could have easily picked from any option from the broader menu, the stone baked pizzas look particularly tempting, so we're already looking forward to our next visit! If you're looking for a fantastic Sunday Lunch, in spectacular surroundings, then Magnolia Brasseire is definitely the top of the list.