It was while we were watching a television programme called The Overlap on Tour when Mother Mash was featured that we decided that the next time we were in London we were going to go there.

So, true to our word, we visited Mother Mash in Carnaby to taste their pie and mash and, of course, their gravy!

We were shown to our table, (we had pre-booked as we had heard it got very busy) and presented with their menu. There were three steps to ordering your meal:

There were eight different types of mash…

• CLASSIC – natural mash with milk and butter
• CHEESY – natural mash with mature chedder
• CHEESY MUSTARD – natural mash with mature cheddar and wholegrain mustard
• CHAMP – traditional Irish mash with milk, butter, cheddar cheese and spring onions
• HORSERADISH – natural mash with creamy horseradish
• COLCANNON – traditional Irish mash with milk, butter, cabbage and onions
• SWEET POTATO – natural sweet potato with carrot and a sprinkling of chilli
• BUBBLE AND SQUEAK – traditional old English recipe, fried mash potatoes, cabbage, peas and onions

You had the choice of either sausages or a pie…

Sausages

• CUMBERLAND – classic British pork with pepper
• LINCOLNSHIRE – classic British pork with sage
• LONDON SMOKEY – hickory wood smoked port
• PORK AND CHILLI (Gluten Free) – Pork, chilli, cumin and smoked paprika
• MOTHER PLUCKER – chicken with sundried tomato and pepper
• VEGETABLE AND HERB (Vegan) – vegan sausage

Pies

• STEAK AND BLACKHEART STOUR
• CHICKEN, MUSHROOM AND BACON
• TRADITIONAL MINCE BEEF
• SPICED VEGETABLE AND CAMEMBERT
• BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SWEET POTATO (Vegetarian)

And the last decision you have to make…

• TRADITIONAL – simple gravy using the juice from sausages and vegetables
• ONION – caramelised red and white Spanish onions with vegetarian stock (vegetarian/gluten free)
• FARMER’S – red wine, onion, smoked bacon and mushrooms
• LIQUOR – traditional parsley sauce (vegetarian)
• VEGGIE – seasonable vegetables, tomato puree and horseradish (vegan/vegetarian/gluten free).

So, I chose the cheesy mash, I had the special for the day which was steak and stilton and onion gravy and hubby had the bubble and squeak mash, traditional mince beef with the farmer’s gravy.

The steak and stilton pie was delicious, the cheese really came through and mixed with the steak was wonderful. The pastry was flaky, buttery and tasty. The gravy was on another level, it was flavourful and just the right amount of thickness. I love mashed potato and the cheesy mash was smooth and very moreish.

Hubby enjoyed his and washed down with a bottle of lager, he was a happy man.

There are also sides you can have – mushy peas, baked beans, buttered savoy cabbage to name a few. We decided to just have the pie and mash.

Their pudding menu had some sweet pies – apple pie, apple crumble and apple and blackberry pie together with sticky toffee pudding, chocolate brownie and ginger bread. But we were too full and with all of our willpower declined a pudding.

Thoughts…

We thought this was very good value for money, considering we were in the heart of London – we paid a total of £41 (with tip) and came out of the restaurant feeling full.

The waiting staff were very good, the food was served quickly and hot, but we didn’t feel rushed.

I would definitely recommend a visit to Mother Mash, they have two restaurants in London, one in Carnaby and one in Covent Garden and we will be visiting them again when we’re in London.