EAT MY WORDS: The Jolly Sailors in Brancaster Staithe ticked all our boxes
My wife and I are not a fussy couple – far from it. But we do have particular needs when eating out on a Sunday afternoon.
Somewhere that is dog friendly is an absolute must, a place that serves vegan/vegetarian food is also required, and if it’s a place with decent non- or low-alcohol offerings, then that’s a real bonus.
Having been born and raised on the North West Norfolk coast, I’m not always enamoured by the gentrification of some parts of our beautiful district either, so a place lacking in pretension is also pretty high on the list.
Thankfully, there’s still plenty of places that tick all those boxes, and I’d say the Jolly Sailors is right up there with the best of them.
The layout is ideal, with locals still gathered for a pint and a chat as you walk in, but lots of space further back in the pub to dine.
There’s also an outdoor play area and large beer garden, where you can enjoy food, drink and live music in the summer.
Business was steady in the bar and dining rooms when we visited at 5pm last Sunday after a day out in Wells.
We were quickly seated and asked about drinks. While Josi, my wife, went for a medium Cabernet Merlot (£6.30), I was delighted to find they stock 500ml bottles of low alcohol Adnams Ghost Ship (£4.80). This 0.5% brew is the closest I’ve ever tasted to the real thing and well worth trying (I had two!)
There was an extensive drinks menu and also one just for rum which looked well worth trying had I not been driving.
I was looking for a vegan starter and was advised the tomato soup would be too bitter without cream, and the corn on the cob was unavailable, so I settled for a bowl of chips (£3.75) – not a classic starter but tasty nonetheless.
Josi had salt and pepper squid with garlic mayonnaise (£8.25), which she said was fresh, tasty and delicious. So much so that she wants to take our daughter back to sample the dish.
Smokehouse prawns, nachos and crispy chicken were also available.
Josi also said her main of beer-battered haddock and chips with garden peas and tartare sauce (£15.50) was gorgeous.
I went for the Quorn roast (£17), something I’d never tried before. I’m adjusting to life without meat after a lifestyle change and I don’t know if I’d go for this dish again as I thought the Quorn was merely ‘okay’. Nothing to do with the chef though, and the rest of the meal was good, if a tad pricey.
Eight different pizzas, including vegan and vegetarian options, scampi and chips, Brancaster mussels and a variety of sides were also available.
We didn’t fancy a dessert on this occasion but did have room for another drink. As mentioned, I enjoyed another delicious Ghost Ship and Josi had a large glass of Monopolio Pinot (£9). The bill came to £64.60, £44.50 without drinks, and the service was friendly and relaxed.
Rating out of five:
Food: Fresh, tasty and well prepared. ****
Drink: Josi preferred her Pinot to the Merlot, I loved my Adnams and the choice was impressive. ****
Staff: Friendly, laid back and knowledgeable. ****
Price: Not cheap but by no means extortionate. ***
Decor: A proper country pub with a warm and welcoming vibe. *****
Know somewhere great we should review? Email newsdesk@lynnnews.co.uk