There was once a very special place in my heart for a Sunday Roast. And by special, I mean, it took up my whole heart. A succulent lamb chop, crisp yet fluffy roast potatoes, veg swimming in thick gravy and a Yorkshire pud proudly sat atop of the pile. My mouth is watering now just thinking about it.
A natural chatterbox, I would always be last to finish with my potatoes stone cold by the end of the meal. But never, ever did I let a scrap go to waste. As I grew older, my munching quickened until I kept up with everybody else… With room left over for a second Yorkshire pudding.
Until a few years back, we always had a cooked dinner on a Sunday. However, it slowly became less and less of a recurrence for us all to be at home until the tradition stopped entirely. So closed the chapter on my supreme adoration for the Sunday Roast. Still, if there’s a family get-together my heart jumps at the possibility of a good ol’ fashioned roast.
For Deb’s birthday, we did just that. Everyone traipsed down to my hometown of Porthcawl and we went to The Dockside for a ‘birthday meal’. This ended in all but one opting for a Sunday roast – classic. Until 2015 I had never known anything to reside in that building – it had always been boarded up and looked a bit pathetic. However, a couple renovated it into the Coast Cafe (which was a firm fave) and it has passed into various hands under various names. For now, settled as The Dockside.
The restaurant itself is beautiful: open-plan, plenty skylights to allow light to flood in and a relaxed atmosphere. Porthcawl is a seaside town which means at least one piece of sea-decor must be placed in any building. The Dockside is no exception but, it’s not so in your face that you feel like you’re either a) at the fair or b) about to tackle Blackbeard. It’s tasteful seaside, a theme which the food also adheres to.
For starters, I opted for the deep-fried halloumi chips and sweet chilli sauce. I am beginning to slowly realise that I either have a halloumi obsession or restaurants need more veggie starter options. I have nothing to complain about here. The halloumi was beautifully fried and seasoned and I love a sweet chilli sauce. The veggie roast options, however, are…lacking. And by lacking I mean, there are none. I understand that Porthcawl is a small town (and Wales is generally around five years behind every trend) but not to have one veggie option? Simply put some Glamorgan sausages on a plate and you’re golden.
Fortunately, Deb rung ahead and asked if they prepare a nut roast and they were happy to oblige. I thought they did a fairly good job – you can’t really go wrong with some nuts, lentils and root veg mixed together. It was quite salty, but that’s the seaside for you. The accompanying veg was glorious and no lack of it. Those crisp yet fluffy roasties, broccoli, carrots and cabbage that hadn’t been overdone, cauliflower cheese and a huge Yorkshire pud. My #firstworldproblem when it comes to having a Sunday roast out is that they will only give a Yorkshire pud to those who choose beef. Sacrilege indeed.
On the whole, I liked The Dockside. I admit, I wouldn’t rave about it for days on end and it’s not the best roast that I’ve ever had in my life. But, for a small town, it’s not bad at all. They just need to work on their options, if you’re a vegan, you’re buggered.
– E x