Northern Git

Sunday lunch and where better than to have it at home? Or at least somewhere as close to home as possible given we're on the other side of the World! Northern Git transports us back to Northern England and randomly the map on the back of Steve's menu is the exact snippet that has both our Northern home towns depicted on it. What a reminder.

The other reminder is the beer list and the presence of a hand pull which is so rare in Australia and the beer is served in a glass tankard. "A proper pint," as Steve says.

The menu has some classic English dishes but the Australian is ever present too. We starte with:

• Black Pudding, Cauliflower Puree, Crispy Onions, Chives
• Chargrilled Quail, Bacon, Lentils, Bitter Greens, Pecorino

The black pudding is very flavoursome and as Steve keeps telling me, not packed with oats as a filler. It's a little soft in texture and I like a bit of crispy edge but the crispy shreds of onion help with that.

Chargrilled quail and Pecorino cheese isn't something you'd see in Northern England but it is very tasty. The little bird is well cooked remaining juicy with some tasty char grill, barbecue flavours. The accompanying lentils, greens and Pecorino is a little intense and salty for me but not terribly so.

• Roast Pork, Yorkshire Pudding, Parsnips, Carrots, Cauliflower, Potatoes and Apple Sauce

As it's a Sunday, I go for the roast. The Yorkshire pudding is a little flat and like the black pudding doesn't have quite the crispy edge I like. I also prefer thicker slices of meat. But what I do like is the hearty generosity of this plate of food and the flavours are yummy.

• Homemade Pie (Steak, Bacon and Cheese), Suet Pastry, Crushed Peas and Gravy

Steve goes pie. He's been looking forward to this suet crust all week and it doesn't disappoint.​

It's served on a bed of what we think is cauliflower puree and I think he'd prefer potato mash but there aren't many complaints as he chows down. Although the pie is deeply rooted in British culinary heritage, it's a steak, bacon and cheese version which isn't very English and probably more Australian but we are in Australia so we are embracing and I'm just pleased they haven't served me a salad on my plate of Sunday roast. Don't scoff, it happens!

• Brussels Sprouts, Bacon, Onion

We go for a side of Brussels and they are well cooked with chunky blocks of tasty bacon. There's some lemony flavours running through it which while pleasant when the veggies are eaten in isolation jar with my Sunday roast flavours.

In all, we enjoyed the Northern hospitality. It warmed the cockles of our hearts and provided us with an endearing reminder of home.