Tuesday 14 July 2015

Sunday Lunch at The Old Weighing Room, Doncaster

I've been wanting to try this restaurant ever since we moved to Yorkshire. (Just ask my husband - he'll tell you how long I've been going on about it.) It's called The Old Weighing Room and it's located within the grounds of Doncaster race course. The building dates back to the 1920s and used to be where the jockeys were weighed back in the day, just before the start of a race. Now, it's a bar and restaurant, and I've been excited to try it because I love places that are architecturally unusual or have some history to them.

You approach from the race course car park, and at first glance it's quite an unassuming place.

#OOTD featuring Topshop, River Island, H&M and Zara

Skirt, Jacket - Topshop, T-shirt, Sunglasses - River Island, Shoes, Necklace - H&M, Bag - Zara

The Old Weighing Room, Doncaster

Walk around the side of the building, and you come across the entrance to this rather lovely bar - something of a surprise after the less than spectacular exterior. It's the perfect place to spend a few minutes perusing the menu while sipping a nice chilled glass of rose. 

Bar at The Old Weighing Room, Doncaster

Bar at The Old Weighing Room, Doncaster

The Old Weighing Room, Doncaster

And as if this wasn't lovely enough, the bar opens out onto a wide terrace with a perfect view of the race course. There were no races on when we visited, sadly, but I'd love to come back and eat here when there are. Imagine how exciting that would be!

The Old Weighing Room, Doncaster, Exterior

The Old Weighing Room, Doncaster

#OOTD featuring Topshop, H&M and River Island

The Old Weighing Room, Doncaster, Exterior

They even have the old weighing scales here, which certainly provide a talking point. And yes, I did weigh myself... before lunch rather than after!

The Old Weighing Room, Doncaster

In fact, it was such an interesting place to look round that we were taken by surprise when we were called through to our table. I think we'd all forgotten we'd gone there to eat!

For my first course, I chose the cod fish cake with lemon and dill. I was slightly worried it might be heavy, which was the last thing I wanted before a roast dinner, but it was actually very delicate and perfectly balanced by the tomato fondant that accompanied it. I really loved this dish, and considering that I don't like either dill or tartar sauce that's quite impressive. (Looking back it makes me wonder why I ordered it in the first place, but I'm very glad I did!)

Sunday Lunch at The Old Weighing Room, Doncaster, Starter

The Old Weighing Room, Doncaster, Dining Room

The Old Weighing Room, Doncaster, Dining room

For the main event I went through a somewhat agonising decision making process. I always find it really hard to choose between the roast meats - I love them all and their respective trimmings equally! Finally, I decided to go for the roast sirloin of beef with Yorkshire pudding and red wine gravy.

Sunday Lunch at The Old Weighing Room, Doncaster

Sunday Lunch at The Old Weighing Room, Doncaster

Now this was very tasty, don't get me wrong, but I'd be lying if I said it was the best roast dinner I've ever eaten. In fact, that honour belongs to the nearby Angel Inn at Misson, a village on the outskirts of Doncaster, who used to do an unbelievable roast. (They may well still do, but I haven't been since it recently changed hands, so I couldn't swear to it right now.) This one was more what you would expect from a typical pub roast. It was enjoyable, but the beef was a little tough and the Yorkshire pudding slightly overdone. I'd expected more from a restaurant like this, so I must confess I was a little disappointed.

Not to be deterred, however, I moved on to dessert with an open mind. I went for the peanut butter cheesecake, served with peanut brittle and a chocolate and peanut butter cup.

Sunday Lunch at The Old Weighing Room, Doncaster, Dessert

I'm happy to say that this was delicious. The peanut brittle in particular was just divine and I ate every last bit. A major hazard for my teeth I'm sure but it was too good to leave!

It's a strange feeling when you've loved everything about a restaurant except the main course. There was general agreement among my dining companions that the roast dinners left a little something to be desired. However, as everything else was so enjoyable, including the rest of the food, I'm pretty sure I'll be going back. I'm curious to try the evening menu, to see how that compares with the Sunday lunch offerings.

Has anybody eaten at The Old Weighing Room? And what's your favourite roast? Non-UK readers, do you have a traditional Sunday meal in your country? Educate me!

Kate x
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25 comments

  1. This meal looks lovely! The history of it makes it particularly interesting, I love to go somewhere that more than the typical pub. Great post x

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  2. I do think it's hard to get a good roast! It's so easy to get it wrong. It does look really lovely in general though! x

    Jasmin Charlotte

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    Replies
    1. This is true. I love the idea of going out for a Sunday roast, but I have to say more often than not I end up disappointed. The rest of the experience more than made up for it though! x

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  3. What a beautiful building :) The roast and yorkshire puddings and the desserts look so good!
    www.GlossyFinds.com

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    1. The dessert was great! Unfortunately the roast didn't quite live up to how good it looked. x

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  4. This place looks beautiful! Too bad you weren't too impressed with the main course, but the dessert and the cod fish cake do look quite tasty! :)

    Paula
    Thirteen Thoughts

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    Replies
    1. They were Paula! The main course definitely didn't spoil the occasion. x

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  5. There used to be a traditional "Sonntagsbraten" in Germany, which can be compared to the roast, but these days very few people still stick to it.

    Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

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    Replies
    1. That's interesting, how traditions change over the years. I think when my parents were young most people used to have a home-cooked roast every Sunday, but now that doesn't really happen, although it's definitely still popular. x

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  6. Love your entire look but your sandals are amazing!! Looks like a great day :)

    Erin | Erin and Katherine Talk Beauty

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  7. I was looking at the dessert section on the menu and saw the peanut butter cheesecake and thought to myself -- I would definitely order that! Then I scrolled down and saw that you actually did -- looks delicious! Great choice :)

    http://www.mintnotion.com

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    Replies
    1. Clearly you're a woman of impeccable taste Eden! X

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  8. that beautiful building
    great shots and you're adorable in that dress

    new post
    FASHIONBYJEJE

    have a good day
    a kiss

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  9. You always have the loveliest of pictures, and wow, that dessert looked delicious!!
    Angie x | Chocolate & Lipstick || UK Beauty and Lifestyle Blog

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  10. I know this is not about your outfit but you look so pretty (: love this look! <3
    Nati xx
    www.simplyartdicted.com

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  11. The restaurant looks so fancy! I love all your pictures! x

    touchofgucci.blogspot.com.au/

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  12. It looks like the perfect place to eat and the food looks so yummy! :) xx

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  13. I also love places that are architecturally unusual or have some history to them. This place looks
    great and the food looks delicious!

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