Taking inspiration from the best American pit masters and using great British ingredients, Blue Boar Smokehouse & Bar at the Intercontinental Westminster hotel in London tips a chef’s hat to foodie trends around town while refining them to the standard expected of a five star hotel restaurant. I visited the Blue Boar recently to have a go at their Sunday luxury brunch and must say I was impressed and certainly left satisfied.<\/p>\n
I loved a lot of what I ate during my visit. Brunch includes unlimited bloody Marys and Bucks Fizz; a \u201cfeasting table\u201d with salad bar, seafood bar, butcher’s board and dessert table; a choice of main course with sides or Sunday roast with all the trimmings; coffee and petite fours. The feasting table choices all but blew me away. Smoked feta cheese with shaved fennel, pomegranate and toasted pistachios salad was particularly tasty (and worthy of a repeat visit to the bar). So was the smoked chicken salad with Granny Smith apple. As for the seafood, I could have stayed all day downing more than my share of gorgeous poached king prawns with the restaurant’s own spicy rub. Venison pastrami, from the butcher’s board, wowed my appreciative palate as well.<\/p>\n
I wholeheartedly enjoyed my main course of pulled pork too! Served with thyme baked rolls, home made pickles, coleslaw and smoky bacon baked bean, it was a properly down home spread … but served on its own pretty little silver tray. I didn’t have much room for dessert (and was more keen about the savouries anyway), but I like what I nibbled: a small piece of carrot cake and a green tea macaron. To be sure, there were plenty more options available to appease any variety of sweet tooth desires.<\/p>\n
At \u00a345 (about $68) per adult and \u00a315 ($22) per child, brunch at the Blue Boar is an indulgence. Still, if you come with a hearty appetite and plan to relax over a few drinks, you should find the experience to offer exceptionally good value for an especially great meal. You’ll also be treated to friendly and efficient service along with live music in a chilled out and comfortable setting.<\/p>\n
Of course, there’s no rule that you have to go during Sunday brunch. The a la carte menu reads like a meat lover’s dream with glazed pork belly, Maryland style fried chicken, pulled lamb shoulder and more. Starters cost around \u00a310; mains about \u00a315 to \u00a320. There’s a huge and amazing bar with an incredible list of craft beers too. Lots of tasty reasons to check this place out!<\/p>\n
Blue Boar Smokehouse & Bar is located inside the Intercontinental Westminster hotel at 45 Tothill Street, SW1H 9LQ. The hotel is situated just outside the St James’s Park Tube Statin. Find out more at blueboarlondon.com.<\/p>\n
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