August 2012 | The Glamorgan

The Glamorgan gastro-pub

This month we headed to The Glamorgan gastro-pub, located on Cherry Orchard road in Addiscombe.

They are well known for their fantastic South-African themed food and brilliant selection of beers, wines and other beverages - they did not disappoint.

Upon arrival, a small storm had brewed. A break down in communication between both parties meant there was a scramble for pre-orders a few hours before the night was due to kick off. Then, as if the sole purpose was to make the owner and I fall out, there were 5 dishes too many ordered when we arrived. Pretty soon I realised that some had ordered the food they'd already pre-ordered so I saved the remaining hair follicles on the owners head and sorted it out. Luckily, this didn't disturb anyone else's night which was perfect.

The pork belly starter at
The Glamorgan

The storm in a tea cup soon blew away quickly and everyone continued to waiting patiently for their starters - and was the wait worth it? Absolutely. Everything was delicious. I know because I asked to try (sometimes subtley, sometimes not) or was offered a taste of the dishes around my table. I have never liked liver, but my gosh, I liked that liver. The pork belly was sublime - a mixture of sweet, crisp chutney and luxuriously soft cuts of belly. The soup - thick, creamy and delicious.

If this was a sign of things to come, then... just... wow...

I was prepared for a long wait, having been warned about the hazards of ordering the freshly prepared and cooked food on the night for over 20 people, so I was getting ready to mingle among the other tables and chat to the other attendees when something massive came out of the kitchen. Two massive things. Two bunny chow meals served in half a loaf of bread.

Buffalo burger at
The Glamorgan

Soon the other dishes poured out of the kitchen, all as beautiful to look at as to taste. I chose the Buffalo burger, purely because I'd never had buffalo. I'm now a convert to buffalo, or at least to the burgers. It was juicy, tender, rich in flavor and suitably filling, served with chips crispier than most roast potatoes but soft as a cloud.

I tried some Boerewors sausage too, which I'd had in South Africa before and was surprised - I actually liked it this time. Positive reviews flooded back of the other dishes from across the room as well.

The cheesecake dessert at
The Glamorgan

The desserts were from the board and also included a home made Apple Strudel. By this point, I was already fit to burst, but the dessert was already paid for and I love strudel - no brainer. Well, I thought I loved strudel... This strudel set the bar for other strudels. It was made personally by the owner. Soft apple, plump raisins, crispy pastry with just the right amount of sugar on top to sweeten it up and with an unexpected zing from lemon drizzled inside. It was a memory in my mouth.

Despite a shakey, somewhat stressful start and a lot of worry about whether the kitchen could cope with the sudden flurry of orders and guests, The Glamorgan really pulled out all the stops and laid on something very special for us. People were commenting to me that they didn't realise there was such good, interesting food served up in Croydon.

SOUTH AFRICAN MENU FOR THE CROYDON DINNER CLUB - £15 PER PERSON

STARTERS

• Chicken Livers Peri Peri (spicy) on toasted Ciabatta bread

• Belly of Pork slow-cooked in Savannah cider served with caramelised red onion

• Butternut and Cinnamon Soup with toasted honey bread

MAINS

• Bunny Chow (Malay mutton curry) served with sambals and chutney in a half-loaf of bread

• Boerewors (South African sausage) served on buttered mash with chilli, tomato and beans

• Buffalo Game Burger in mushroom sauce served with chips

• Babotie (savoury lamb mince with a curried egg custard) served with a green salad

• South African rib eye steak, served with grilled black mushroom, cherry tomatoes and garlic butter

DESSERT

• South African surprise! (Our full dessert board will also be available, for a small extra charge)