Roast dinner: £7.95
Avg drinks prices: Bottle cider £3.85; pint lager £3.70; orange juice £1.75
The Farm Tavern is a small, minds-its-own-business establishment set back from busy Western Road on the tiny Farm Road just by Palmeira Square. In competition with the yet-to-be-rated Cooper's Cask, we opted for The Farm simply because there were 11 of us and we were able to book. Granted, I've heard amazing things about Cooper's but it wasn't a risk any of us were ready to take when we knew we were going to be so very hungry.
When we arrived, we were greeted by the smiliest and friendliest barman I think I've ever had the pleasure of conversing with. An older and evidently more chilled-out guy, he was happy to sit and chat with us before we went upstairs to our table. We ordered some drinks, caught a glance at the newspapers and then headed up to wait for the others. This is a bar that truly loves its hippie clientele - I saw more piercings, dreadlocks and amateur tattoos in this place than I saw the entire afternoon afterwards - so if you're not a fan of that brigade, this place might not be for you. There are also lots of children, so if you're the sweary type, it's best to keep away on a Sunday avo.
As I said, The Farm is a small pub, but they've made good use of the available space. The stairs are not the greatest idea if you've got elderly relatives or a pram to carry, but for us the only obstacle they posed would have been evident only after alcohol had been consumed. Once you make it upstairs, you're greeted by a bright, airy room that's neither too overcrowded nor too sparse. On the wall is a huge chalk menu regaling you with the various roast choices - and boy, are there choices. One of The Farm's strongest points is that it caters for vegetarians, and it does so well. Alternating between veggie and vegan options, meat-haters actually get a choice of decadent dishes ranging from pie to casserole, all served with their own veggie gravy and with all the trimmings as standard. No lazy nut roasts in this joint. However, being the carnivore I am I opted for the Old Faithful (aka the beef), whilst Dan went for his usual of pork belly. Others went for the chicken and we did indeed have a few take up the veggie options. We really did not know what to expect - after all, these are roasts that cost less than £8.00, which, let's be fair, is something of a rarity in Brighton (with the obvious exception of Wetherspoons). I honestly believed we'd be dished up an average roast with average veg - maybe a presence of boiled carrots and peas - but no. What we got was very different indeed.
The potatoes were by far the most striking part of this roast. Huge, crispy and light as a cloud in the centre, they melted off the fork - and we got a substantial amount of them, too. The Farm don't scrimp on the good stuff, that's for sure. My good friend Ray believes that potatoes can make or break a roast, and yes, they were what lost The Connaught points in my last post - but if that's your measure of greatness, then these are something special. However, one cannot dwell on one part of the plate, so as for the rest...
The usual veg was present - carrots, broccoli, cabbage and parsnips. However, the carrots weren't lazily boiled as I'd assumed they would be; they were roasted to perfection and served in moreish bite-sized chunks. The broccoli was al dente and a vivid green; there was no hint of soggy school dinners as is the problem suffered by some. The cabbage was spicy and tangy with a nice crunch, too. However, if there is one think I am coming to despise in the roasting world it is the parsnip crisp. I mean, come on - they are by far the laziest of garnishes. I love my parsnips, especially roasted with honey, and to get them sprinkled nonchalantly on top of my food - with gravy, which only serves to send them into a state of soggy oblivion - is just cruelty. I wanted substance, and I got something totally different. Please guys, just stop. There was also a creamy concoction of unidentifiable appearance which despite our apprehension was sweet and delicious and set off the carrots perfectly. Which leads me to the gravy.
Thank the sweet lord! We finally have on our hands an establishment that knows what a decent portion of gravy looks like. The plate wasn't swimming, nor was it bare - there was just the right amount. It was also perfectly executed - not too thick, not too runny and a slight tang of red wine running through it without being overbearing. It was delicious. My veggie friends stated that their equivalent did not suffer from lack of meat juices and fats - apparently theirs was fragrant, herby and very nice indeed.
Which leads me to the biggest part of the meal - the meat. I hate to say it, but I felt let down by my beef. Considering the rest of the plate was so perfectly and artistically put together, the beef was fatty, overcooked and a little limp and soggy - as if it had been sat out a while after being carved. A huge shame, as it really is such an important part - although I may just be spoiled after my wonderful experience at The Connaught. The others were more complimentary, though - according to Dan, the pork belly was 'truly awesome' - a thick, bubbly layer of crackling sat atop a pink, juicy slab of meat - no Foragers-style farty child-size portions here - it did look divine, and part of me was insanely jealous of them. I was kicking myself that I'd played it safe. The veggie options were also met with approval, with various party members claiming them to be 'light', 'not at all stodgy' and 'full of flavour'. The chicken also looked excellent - again, a huge portion sat atop the vegetables, resplendent in a coat of herbs and spices, one of which I assumed must have been saffron, from the appearance and distinct smell. Not bad for £7.95.
All meals come with a yorkie - the veggies get their own, meat-free version - and these are pretty standard. Average-sized, there is a distinct packaged-food quality to them - if they are home-made, they certainly don't taste it. However, they soaked up the gravy well and added some stodge to the dish - as the veggies were so well-cooked, there wasn't a lot of heaviness in the roast at all.
I found it hard to rate The Farm. Whilst in my mind the disappointing beef and yorkie led me to a certain 6, the others, with their excellent selection of meats and veggie concoctions were sure it should be an 8. We decided to compromise, on the sole basis of the whole thing costing £7.95. Come on - that's outstanding.
7/10
13 Farm Road, Hove BN3 1FB
Tel: 01273 325902
Credit/debit cards accepted
Bookings taken and recommended for larger parties
www.farmtavern.designextreme.com
Avg drinks prices: Bottle cider £3.85; pint lager £3.70; orange juice £1.75
The Farm Tavern is a small, minds-its-own-business establishment set back from busy Western Road on the tiny Farm Road just by Palmeira Square. In competition with the yet-to-be-rated Cooper's Cask, we opted for The Farm simply because there were 11 of us and we were able to book. Granted, I've heard amazing things about Cooper's but it wasn't a risk any of us were ready to take when we knew we were going to be so very hungry.
When we arrived, we were greeted by the smiliest and friendliest barman I think I've ever had the pleasure of conversing with. An older and evidently more chilled-out guy, he was happy to sit and chat with us before we went upstairs to our table. We ordered some drinks, caught a glance at the newspapers and then headed up to wait for the others. This is a bar that truly loves its hippie clientele - I saw more piercings, dreadlocks and amateur tattoos in this place than I saw the entire afternoon afterwards - so if you're not a fan of that brigade, this place might not be for you. There are also lots of children, so if you're the sweary type, it's best to keep away on a Sunday avo.
As I said, The Farm is a small pub, but they've made good use of the available space. The stairs are not the greatest idea if you've got elderly relatives or a pram to carry, but for us the only obstacle they posed would have been evident only after alcohol had been consumed. Once you make it upstairs, you're greeted by a bright, airy room that's neither too overcrowded nor too sparse. On the wall is a huge chalk menu regaling you with the various roast choices - and boy, are there choices. One of The Farm's strongest points is that it caters for vegetarians, and it does so well. Alternating between veggie and vegan options, meat-haters actually get a choice of decadent dishes ranging from pie to casserole, all served with their own veggie gravy and with all the trimmings as standard. No lazy nut roasts in this joint. However, being the carnivore I am I opted for the Old Faithful (aka the beef), whilst Dan went for his usual of pork belly. Others went for the chicken and we did indeed have a few take up the veggie options. We really did not know what to expect - after all, these are roasts that cost less than £8.00, which, let's be fair, is something of a rarity in Brighton (with the obvious exception of Wetherspoons). I honestly believed we'd be dished up an average roast with average veg - maybe a presence of boiled carrots and peas - but no. What we got was very different indeed.
The potatoes were by far the most striking part of this roast. Huge, crispy and light as a cloud in the centre, they melted off the fork - and we got a substantial amount of them, too. The Farm don't scrimp on the good stuff, that's for sure. My good friend Ray believes that potatoes can make or break a roast, and yes, they were what lost The Connaught points in my last post - but if that's your measure of greatness, then these are something special. However, one cannot dwell on one part of the plate, so as for the rest...
The usual veg was present - carrots, broccoli, cabbage and parsnips. However, the carrots weren't lazily boiled as I'd assumed they would be; they were roasted to perfection and served in moreish bite-sized chunks. The broccoli was al dente and a vivid green; there was no hint of soggy school dinners as is the problem suffered by some. The cabbage was spicy and tangy with a nice crunch, too. However, if there is one think I am coming to despise in the roasting world it is the parsnip crisp. I mean, come on - they are by far the laziest of garnishes. I love my parsnips, especially roasted with honey, and to get them sprinkled nonchalantly on top of my food - with gravy, which only serves to send them into a state of soggy oblivion - is just cruelty. I wanted substance, and I got something totally different. Please guys, just stop. There was also a creamy concoction of unidentifiable appearance which despite our apprehension was sweet and delicious and set off the carrots perfectly. Which leads me to the gravy.
Thank the sweet lord! We finally have on our hands an establishment that knows what a decent portion of gravy looks like. The plate wasn't swimming, nor was it bare - there was just the right amount. It was also perfectly executed - not too thick, not too runny and a slight tang of red wine running through it without being overbearing. It was delicious. My veggie friends stated that their equivalent did not suffer from lack of meat juices and fats - apparently theirs was fragrant, herby and very nice indeed.
Which leads me to the biggest part of the meal - the meat. I hate to say it, but I felt let down by my beef. Considering the rest of the plate was so perfectly and artistically put together, the beef was fatty, overcooked and a little limp and soggy - as if it had been sat out a while after being carved. A huge shame, as it really is such an important part - although I may just be spoiled after my wonderful experience at The Connaught. The others were more complimentary, though - according to Dan, the pork belly was 'truly awesome' - a thick, bubbly layer of crackling sat atop a pink, juicy slab of meat - no Foragers-style farty child-size portions here - it did look divine, and part of me was insanely jealous of them. I was kicking myself that I'd played it safe. The veggie options were also met with approval, with various party members claiming them to be 'light', 'not at all stodgy' and 'full of flavour'. The chicken also looked excellent - again, a huge portion sat atop the vegetables, resplendent in a coat of herbs and spices, one of which I assumed must have been saffron, from the appearance and distinct smell. Not bad for £7.95.
All meals come with a yorkie - the veggies get their own, meat-free version - and these are pretty standard. Average-sized, there is a distinct packaged-food quality to them - if they are home-made, they certainly don't taste it. However, they soaked up the gravy well and added some stodge to the dish - as the veggies were so well-cooked, there wasn't a lot of heaviness in the roast at all.
I found it hard to rate The Farm. Whilst in my mind the disappointing beef and yorkie led me to a certain 6, the others, with their excellent selection of meats and veggie concoctions were sure it should be an 8. We decided to compromise, on the sole basis of the whole thing costing £7.95. Come on - that's outstanding.
7/10
13 Farm Road, Hove BN3 1FB
Tel: 01273 325902
Credit/debit cards accepted
Bookings taken and recommended for larger parties
www.farmtavern.designextreme.com
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