Mamie's Food

As pub grub goes, Home Sweet Home is up there. Set back from the road in a hamlet called Roke in Oxfordshire, the quaint 17th century pub boasts a traditional English interior, nostalgic of cold evenings spent by the fire and a large outside area that’s perfect for long summer days.

Fresh from the airport, the garden was dotted with umbrellas and were a welcome relief from the scorching 28 degree heat. A carafe of water with thin ribbons of cucumber quickly appeared, as did suprisingly smart cutlery and linen napkins. Always a good sign.

The punchy drinks menu included four traditional cocktails: Negroni, French 75, Kir Royale and Aperol Spritz. Had it been a Saturday night I would have tried one of each in the name of ‘reviews’. Thankfully for my head and my wallet, it was a Sunday so just fizzy elderflower for me.

Starving, my boyfriend and I ordered from the While you Wait section of the menu: parma ham, sundried tomatoes and artichoke, drizzled with olive oil. It was very simple yet quenched the extreme hunger that had begun to take hold. Next time I wouldn’t mind trying the Saffron and Parmesan Arancini or the Seared Scallops.

Owned by classically trained Head Chef Dom and wife Liz, the pub serves traditional Sunday lunches. Peter chose beef, I chicken, but there was also the option of lamb, pork and a vegetarian wellington.

The generous portions arrived with roast potatoes, carrots, parsnips, cauliflower cheese, creamed cabbage, swede puree, stuffing and gravy on the side. Oh, and yorkshire puddings, because to hell with tradition; roast chicken is better with a yorkie. The creamed cabbage could have done with some seasoning and the carrots just a minute longer, but overall a satisfying experience and just what you want from a roast.

With only one other table of people in the garden there could have been more of an atmosphere, and, had the weather been cooler I would have opted to sit inside, with its appealing open fires and wooden floors giving more of an ambience.

That being said, it would not deter me from going again.

‘A quick lunch’ I said to Peter, and speedy it was. We were in and out of there in under 45 minutes, leaving us impressed and with satisfied bellies.

I would definitely recommend, even if you don’t want a roast; there are lighter dishes on the menu. Why not give the Sea Trout with Saffron and Mussel sauce a go? Or the Roasted Cauliflower with Parmentier Potatoes? I might try that, next time.

Home Sweet Home, Roke, Nr Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 6JD
Link here: http://www.hshroke.pub/