The Jolly Gardeners

2 Reviews on “The Jolly Gardeners”

• Linette Da Costa

  I went here to see my friend work and stop to have a Guinness. Watching Carla Costa Monteiro the waitress here move is amazing. Is there a prize or nominations for best waitress??!!I also heard from the many that dine here that the food is really awesome and the chef is just grand. I will dine here soon one day to give a food update. Meanwhile go Carla go!!! I ended up having more then one beers to spend more time watching her do some pretty awesome fast and graceful moves. She’s also a good laugh and great personality who can put a smile on any face. I betcha 5 at least.

  January 18, 2016, 4:49 am

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• Matt The List

  Dhruv Baker embarked on a career in food after winning MasterChef in 2010, gaining experience in Le Gavroche & The Kitchin amongst other top restaurants. More recently he teamed up with Adam Pomaro to launch catering company Earlsfield Kitchen before deciding over a bottle of wine (or two) that they might as well go one step further and take over an actual kitchen in Earlsfield – that of The Jolly Gardeners pub.I went down primarily to take some photos but ended up eating a whole lot of wonderful food with Jo The Sis. A quick scan of the menu reveals standard pub items – pork belly, lamb, asparagus, steak etc. It’s only after a second look that you start to spot Dhruv’s Indian influences sneaking in – tamarind yoghurt, cardamom puree, turmeric and fennel better, and so on. This is what takes The Jolly Gardeners dishes to the next level.Our two starters were simply magnificent (and oh so photogenic – beware NSFW eggporn below). – English Asparagus, Soft-Boiled Burford Brown Egg, Bacon & Sage Crumble, Hollandaise – 8- Spiced Crab Cakes, Shaved Fennel, Tamarind Yoghurt 8You can’t really go wrong eith egg, bacon, asparagus and a tonne of butter – the Burford Brown egg was beautifully cooked and presented in a light crumb batter. A generous portion of moreish crab cakes were elevated by shaved fennel and that tamarind yoghurt.We sought out more of Dhruv’s unconventional flavours in our mains:- Pan-fried Sea Bream, Turmeric & Fennel Butter, Coconut Green Beans, Cumin Sauted Potatoes – 14- 28 day aged Ribeye Steak, Teriyaki Glaze, Shallot Puree, Fries – 22.50If you want your kids to eat their greens, invite Dhruv round for tea and tell him to bring his coconuts. And if you think you’ve had steak and chips one too many times, I can highly recommend their teriyaki glaze twist, supported by a scene-stealing dollop of shallot puree. Delicious.Portions are generous throughout, but do not under any circumstances skip dessert, however full you are. 7.50 may look a little pricey on the page, but once you’ve tasted Dhruv’s bonkers creations you’ll be going back for seconds. Here are four of the best:- Raspberry Mille Feuille, Chantilly Cream, Raspberry Sorbet, Raspberry Tuille – 7.50- Chocolate Cake, Guinness Sauce, Hazelnut Brittle Ice Cream – 7.50- Rocky Road, Blood Orange, Vanilla Cream, Banana and Black Sesame Ice Cream – 7.50- Banana Tarte Fine, Sea Salt Caramel, Peanut Butter Parfait – 7.50We demolished the bottom two on that list, both of which had even more fun on the plate than mentioned above. It’s real Willy Wonka stuff (though not quite to Parlour’s level) that’ll send you back on to Garratt Lane with a big grin on your face.Three courses at The Jolly Gardeners will set you back around 30-40 before booze which is a pricey night out at the pub, but Dhruv & co. are on to something special here and I wouldn’t be surprised if awards and accolades start coming their way once the rest of London takes notice. It’s worth going well out of your way for, and I suggest you do so soon before word gets out. mattthelist.com

  September 17, 2015, 1:56 pm

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