Emma SW16, Sunday lunch worth travelling for
Streatham, the other side of London to Archway, where we were staying recently, and the local Streatham Hill train station was closed so we travelled on two busses not realising that the London marathon was on so it took us over 2 hours to get to SW16 Bar & Kitchen to try their new Sunday Roast offering, however, we were on time (just) and only slightly flustered by the warm weather and London traffic…but was it worth the journey? Let’s see!
SW16 Bar & Kitchen is a short walk from Streatham Hill Station (Southern Railway) and the Leighton Court bus stop outside. On our return journey we took a more sensible option, bus (159 or 333) to the Oval and then the Northern line. There are also buses to Clapham Common (50, 417) and from there you can also join the Northern line hopefully with more chance of a seat.
Inside it’s long and cavernous, a lot larger than how it looks from the outside. Tables and banquette seating are available for dining, with high tables for cocktails and snacks.
SW16 Bar & Kitchen Menu
Snacks, Starters, Roasts and Sides Menu
Dessert Menu
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What we ate and drank at SW16 Bar & Kitchen
@foodieexplorers Sunday lunch @ sw16 bar and kitchen. Whether you are visiting for the snack plates, full roast or delicious cocktails…you won’t be disappointed.#london #ldn #ldnlife #sundaylunch ♬ original sound – FoodieExplorers
The wine geek out of the two of us wanted a glass so opted for the Mandarossa Frappato. He said it had aromas of Parma Violet, hibiscus, and cherry. Off dry, it had medium acidity, with a cherry and hibiscus taste. It was quite light, medium bodied, and very enjoyable.
I ordered a Koi Pond cocktail which comprised tequila, matcha syrup, Mastiha (which is a Greek mastic liqueur), lime and egg white. This was a smooth matcha tasting cocktail with a kick of tequilla and a creamy head. It was far too easy to drink!
We then had an assortment of snacks and small plates to start. First, cured stone bass – yuzu and ponzu dressing, blackberries, black garlic emulsion and biber. Wow, we loved this. A light and mouth-watering dish to start the feast! Citrussy fish with pockets of flavour and textures. I’ll need to try and make this at home.
Marinated Cantabrian Anchovies with garlic, chilli and lemon zest next. Simple, yet delicious (don’t be afraid if you’re not a spice fan as the chilli wasn’t hot).
Third on the table was grilled asparagus with confit shallots, feta crumble and cured egg yolk. Tender asparagus coated with a buttery umami sauce with creamy feta and egg yolk. Another falling into the simple yet delicious category and another to try and emulate at home.
Fourth was beef carpaccio – mushroom ketchup, artichoke, mustard, capers, truffle mayo and a parmesan tuille. This was another dish that was oh so easy to keep eating. Flavour upon flavour atop tender beef, a big plate of it too with an equally large cheesy tuille.
Onto the main event, on Sundays there is a choice of salt marsh roast lamb; 28 day Scottish beef striploin; Dingly Dell Farm Porchetta; Norfolk black corn fed roast chicken; or wild mushroom and beetroot wellington.
Mark chose the 28 day Scottish beef striploin served with roast potatoes, maple glazed carrots, cabbage, celeriac puree and a HUGE Yorkshire pudding. Oh so tender pink beef, fluffy and crispy roasties, perfectly cooked carrots with just a hint of crunch atop a smooth puree. The Yorkie was big and wasn’t too crisp so that it had enough spongy segments to soak up the juices and gravy.
For me, it was the salt marsh roast lamb, again with roast potatoes, maple glazed carrots, cabbage, celeriac puree and another immense Yorkie, which was superb, as were the veggies. Melt-in-the-mouth lamb with a good strong flavour and a grassy, scrumptious layer of fat.
We also shared a side of hispi cabbage with crispy shallots, lime cream and burnt onion puree. We love cabbage, so it’s always good to see this much maligned veg on the menu and given some love. The crispy shallot and onion puree added another level of taste and texture to this dish.
Of course a Sunday lunch isn’t the same without at least a little bit of pudding. We were stuffed, so couldn’t make it to sticky toffee pudding or hazelnut tiramisu. However the Affogato al Pistachio with homemade pistachio ice cream, coffee and brandy caught Marks eye. Creamy and nutty ice cream with a strong coffee, and that little bit different to the usual affogato.
It was just a scoop of apple, pear and vanilla sorbet for myself. Not too sweet and not too sour either, just right for the end to such a next-level roast.
Overall verdict
Perfect, really perfect. This Sunday lunch was really impressive and well worth the 2-hour bus journey.
We loved the quality of the ingredients and the combination of flavours involved in every dish. Special shout out to the cured stone bass from the starters.
Friendly and helpful service, with staff who worked well together, especially as it was so busy, but there was still a relaxed ambience. Toilets clean and well maintained. We would highly recommend a visit to SW16 Bar & Kitchen.
Where is SW16 Bar & Kitchen?
5 Streatham High Road, Streatham, SW16
Book a table at SW16 Bar & Kitchen
Opening Hours
Monday Closed
Tuesday 10am-10pm
Wednesday 10am-10pm
Thursday 10am-11pm
Friday 10am-Late
Saturday 10am-Late
Sunday 10am-10pm
