Toulouse Sunday Lunch Review

March 24, 2016 by Rich - Foodie Reviewer

Toulouse Sunday Lunch

That's it I've decided, it's time for a career change! That's a pretty drastic decision I agree, but a situation occurred just the other weekend, which spurred on this change in direction. You may recall last year I reviewed The Mews in Southend? Lou and I enjoyed a top drawer Sunday lunch, from start to finish; quite simply it was bloody good. Well, we were both chatting about food, which does seem to dominate the conversations at the weekend, and both decided we wanted to pop out, that same weekend, for a good old Sunday lunch. I was in need of a nice bit of ‘meat and two veg’….ooh er missus! So, I got on the phone. I called 5 different restaurants. All we wanted was a little ol’ table for two. 12.30, 1.00, 1.30, 2.30 even 3pm I didn't care. I received the same response ‘sorry we’re fully booked’! One restaurant said they could fit us in at 4.30! Blimey that's hardly lunchtime!! Well going back to my opening comment, I'm giving up my day job to become a restaurateur. It became obvious to me; people in our local area must have loads’a cash to blow in restaurants. I reckon the restaurant owners are raking it in! So watch this space, there is now a new restaurant entrepreneur on the block! Just kidding, I know it bloody hard graft owing a restaurant; I think I'll stay out of the kitchen. Well, after spending what seemed to be all morning on the phone, Toulouse had a table. Let me just add, Toulouse was not my last resort, quite the opposite, I love this place, I just wanted options! So I was very pleased to settle with Toulouse as our Sunday lunch venue!

I think anyone who lives locally is familiar with Toulouse? They really don’t need any introduction; it’s a wonderful place! But, if you didn’t know, they are located along the Seafront in Westcliff, not too far from the ‘Arches’. Lou and I wandered down, with the usual warm welcome the moment we walked through the door, our waiter escorted us to our table. The restaurant was busy. The buzz of conversation, laughter and clanking of cutlery created a wonderful atmosphere. But it’s the views here! Toulouse boasts a backdrop of our very own Thames Riviera, which on this sunny Sunday afternoon was looking rather stunning. A swift half of Peroni was in order as we perused the menu. Both of us were here for a good old British Sunday lunch, so the Sunday set menu caught our attention; two courses £20 or three courses £24. Not bad value eh, considering this is probably one of the best restaurants in the local area.

So what did we eat? Well as you'd expect with a Sunday menu its roasts all the way, with one fish exception. To start Lou opted for a very unusual dish; ham hock and leek colcannon with peas, mustard mayo and a crumbed egg, I was curious to see how they would put this together? Well it looked great; the crumbed egg was a kinda deep fried poached egg, sounds odd I know, it almost looked like a scotch egg. It was superb! Both Lou and I are big fans of ham hock and colcannon. But, put the two together, with a runny yolked egg on top, it was sublime. The mustard Mayo was a nice touch too, mustard and ham hock are made for each other. So yes, this was a wonderful starter!

But what about me? I got so carried away with Lou’s dish I've almost forgotten what I had! Mine was described as a classic prawn cocktail; how adventurous of me eh! The old seventies dinner party classic. But, I just new it would be anything but that, and it was. Presented on a plate (not a cocktail glass!) it was almost like a de-constructed prawn cocktail. No cheap Hovis buttered brown bread here, oh no, just too slices of what I can only describe as Melba toasts. They gave the whole dish texture and crunch kinda like large croutons. What about the all important Marie Rose sauce? It was delicious and creamy with a real bite. The iceberg lettuce was dressed with herby oil that really set the dish off. So, this was an old classic bought bang up to date.

Well, after those fantastic starters I was primed for the main event! I just couldn’t resist going for the good old classic, roast beef and Yorkshire pud! No disappointments here. A pile of perfectly pink tender roast beef, crispy roasties and some greens, perfect. But what about the yorkie? Always a risky one this, too many restaurants make flat stodgy puds. Or worse still, a bloody horrible deep frozen Aunt Bessie’s excuse of a pudding. Not here. The Toulouse Yorkshire pud certainly rose to the occasion! It was crispy, light, and golden brown. I’ve got friends from Yorkshire who would struggle to make them this good; top marks chef! Lou decided on another favourite of mine, roast pork belly. Anything made from pig is a winner in my eyes! Served with the same great roast potatoes, carrots and greens it was a delight.

By this time we had polished off a lovely bottle of red, and of course a ‘Class A’ Sunday roast. So, you’d normally expect me to say at this point, how we skipped pudding, got our bill, and waddled off in to the sunset. Not today! We were having too much of a good time! So, two glasses of port, and the cheese board to share please waiter! Now this was good! The cheese was served at room temperature, as it should be, with some lovely crackers and chutney. Comprising of Blue d'Auvergne, Reblochon, Black Bomber, Black Sticks and Cornish Brie, I couldn’t think of a better way to end this epic Sunday lunch. How much? Ok, we did go a little off piste with the cheese, and not forgetting a lovely bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon.

The final bill was just shy of £100 for two. With wonderful views and impeccable service, I have no issues with that at all.

Gosh, our initial intention was to pop out for a bite to eat; blimey, I think we got a bit carried away! But no regrets at all, I’m glad we did get carried it away. This restaurants got it all, superb venue, wonderful ambience, brilliant service and equally brilliant food. All this goes together to make for a truly memorable dining experience! So yes we did go a little overboard for an impromptu Sunday lunch, but why not? Its what Sundays are all about aren’t they?