Blue Boar Pub

It’s not often we find ourselves looking in need of a pub lunch in Westminster, especially on a Sunday afternoon. But with renowned British chef Sally Abe at the helm of the Blue Boar Pub just a stone's throw from the Houses of Parliament, we were willing to make an exception.

Arriving at the Blue Boar, which is attached to the Conrad St James hotel, first impressions seemed more like a high-end restaurant than a pub, with studded leather chairs, wood panelling and suited staff. The walls are lined with political cartoons and you might find a small sculpture of Thatcher watching you eat.

The atmosphere veered on hotel lobby as it was fairly empty when we arrived, but it did fill up over the course of our meal. The Blue Boar menu on a Sunday hangs on the roast offerings, which we’d come especially for: roast rump of 56-day aged Cumbrian beef, Loin of Berkshire pork or a vegetarian toad in the hole (which is a much better non-meat option for this weary veggie than many roasts offer).

We started with virgin cocktails (plenty to choose from for those not drinking) and a plate of the corned beef and mustard croquettes with rainbow slaw, and the London particular pea soup with a poached egg and focaccia. Both were well-balanced and a good size to prelude the main event. Could have also easily eaten the Cornish potted crab, devilled whitebait or mushroom sausage roll with walnut ketchup instead.

Now, a roast is a hard thing to get right - everyone has their own do’s and don’ts - but the overall quality of the food here was high. The meat was cooked medium pink, the Yorkshire puddings were large and fluffy, the vegetables were roasted and not boiled within an inch of their life, and the crispy roast potatoes came on the side. As did the gravy. We finished with the sticky toffee pudding and two spoons which, if we were coming back, would be a must order. The best we’ve had in years.

Overall the staff were polite and generous enough to leave us to digest and not hover to move us on, but we did notice parties near us had to chase their drinks a couple of times before they got them. The dishes are somewhat pricey but considering the central location, are reasonable value.

Blue Boar Pub is a partnership between renowned Nottingham chef Sally Abe and Conrad London St James that looks to refine and elevate a classic pub menu to bring nostalgic food flavours to diners’ plates.

Having most recently held the position of head chef at The Hardwood Arms (London’s only Michelin starred pub), aside from her own projects Abe’s experience spans time under high profile chefs and positions at some of London’s finest kitchens. Her first placement after university was at The Savoy, before she moved on to Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s and then worked alongside industry greats like Marcus Wareing and Brett Graham.

The menu at Blue Boar Pub is a culmination of all this experience and is a marked celebration of the UK’s bounty. Taking humble ingredients and preparing them in a creative way is a signature move from Abe, with snacks like a Coronation chicken scotch egg and golden raisin chutney setting the tone for a menu focused on familiar flavour given fun twists.

Starters feature dishes like potted Cornish crab with cucumber jelly and corned beef and mustard croquettes, while mains bring burgers fish and chips and steaks – all given a touch of reinvention through sides or sauces. Vegetarians and vegans are also well catered for by way of dedicated menus, and on Sundays the restaurant is given over to the great British roast, where Abe puts Lake District meats at its heart.

Interiors are classic and cosy with a mix of comfy sofas for lounging on, hidden corners perfect for dates and mix and match tables ideal for more traditional dining. Guests can also indulge in only drinks and snacks if they prefer, with the bar’s speciality bloody Mary cocktails, Meantime Brewery draft beers or one of the many gins.

Sally Abe has won multiple awards, including being named as a ‘Chef to Watch’ at the 2019 National Restaurant Awards.