Something that I completely forgot to mention and didn't realise myself until afterwards is that you're also supposed to get a glass of wine included with the meal. My apologies for the confusion.
As a kid, growing up (in Devon) and until I came to NZ, Christmas dinner at my parents house was always the same. Dad didn't approve of buying extra vegetables, so unless we'd grown or bartered for it, we didn't have it to eat. (a large family on a very, very low income) Our dinner on Christmas day was roast goose (turkey was for Boxing day, when we had extended family, so a much larger bird was needed), home made stuffing, roast and boiled potato, mashed swede and brussels sprouts, all smothered in Dad's gravy. Dad did all the cooking and would get up extra early to put the bird in the oven to roast slowly, ready for serving between 1pm and 2pm. If we'd grown them, there would be parsnips and cabbage, but most of the time, those crops were small and mostly gone by the end of December. We didn't have a freezer, so peas and carrots were eaten as picked, the same with the many types of beans. But it wasn't a hardship - we had plenty to eat! And what we ate was grown and cooked with love. It might sound extravagant having two different meats, but to afford them, Dad went to the farm they were raised on and helped in the processing of the birds that had been raised for the Christmas market - so the goose was his wage and the turkey was heavily reduced, costing about the same as a large chicken! It wasn't pleasant work, but it helped ensure we had a lovely meal! I've never had Yorkshire pudding with a Christmas dinner - I don't know whether I'd enjoy it with all the other flavours. I do love it with lamb or beef. And if I was to have that sort of meal now, I'd want it to be how it was when I was a child - so many happy memories! The one thing we WILL have over this coming festive season, is Christmas pudding - that goes with all sorts of meals, even during a NZ Summer!
We had a big family and had Yorkshire and gravy to start our meal not Christmas though.the first time I had Yorkshire with my meal I think was when I was in my late teens.
My father bought me my first pint in Ye Olde Fighting Cocks. Lovely pub, with a great atmosphere and beer garden. I’ve never had more than a portion of chips in there though as there are so many great restaurants in the town. Best enjoyed in the summer, followed by a stroll up behind you to the cathedral, or to your left into Verulamium Park. It’s an old pub - the strange construction, compared with other old pubs, is because it predates the use of scrapped ship of the line timber in its construction - so before the Royal Navy.
That's the thing about Christmas dinners - they're very filling, and it's easy to end up feeling more stuffed than the turkey if you're not careful! That plate looked nicely balanced to me.
As a Yank, I think the portions were very proper, especially if you were to have a third course, and dessert. Presentation looked nice. Maybe needed a roll or a Yorkshire pudding to soak up the gravy.
Hi Gary, so pleased to see how quickly your channel is growing. I’ve just introduced your channel to my husband who is a massive foodie. He wondered where all my new restaurant recommendations have been coming from. Also, I had scans last week and the chemo has done such a brilliant job that I’m going to get time of treatment until middle of January. So I can eat to my hearts content. Thanks again for this wonderful space that you’ve created.
Thank you all. You have no idea how touched I am that there are people out there who have warm and kind words for me, a stranger on the Internet. When I’m feeling down, I’ll come back and read these comments. Thank you Gary, for creating such a safe and happy corner of the Internet.
@@helennaomi8694 What a lovely response to the positive comments answering your original comment. I'd just like to add my best wishes to you Helen as well. Have a lovely Christmas!
Hi from Canada. My father was a proud Brit and he loved Yorkshire puddings. I have subscribed and look forward to many more reviews. I hope to one day travel to England and enjoy the land my father loved so much. Merry Christmas!
Nice video once again, Gary. What puzzles me a bit🤔 is how little stuffing and potatoes there were on the plate considering how inexpensive bread and potatoes are ?
Never had Yorkshire Pud for Xmas dinner as a kid, and my mum did do the full works. Mind you, we didn't have pigs in blankets then either. Turkey, mash and roast spuds, brussels, carrots and peas and lashings of gravy-lovely!
Another great video Gary. Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St. Albans was built in circa 1600 yet Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham was built in 1189 making it the oldest pub in England
A roast potato preparation option, after blanching the Maris Piper potatoes, dry off most of moisture, then cover in breadcrumbs or Panko rice flakes that have been mixed with favourite herbs. Roast in pre-heated oven.
the food looked good, the portion was a bit stingy in my opinion. they should've added a yorkshire pudding and 2 extra slices of turkey. thanks for another entertaining and enjoyable video, gary, you're almost at 30k now!👌🙂
@@arthurvandeman Examine Gary's words ! After the portion of main course and the portion of dessert, he was content. Do we really want to feel bloated every time we eat ? Very good value - especially with that glass of wine !
My now sadly deceased grandmother used to be the cook and then landlady of the Fighting Cocks around 70 years ago. According to family legend the opportunity arose to buy it (or more likely buy the lease) but the funds were not available and so I am not the landlord! It's been through some up and downs in the last 30 years including closing a couple of times but I am glad to see it open again as it's a magnificent building in a beautifullocation in the park and has at times been a wonderful pub. The fairly priced food looked decent if not outstanding, but then a Christmas dinner rarely is outstanding.
Another top draw review, Gary. Chiming in on the portion size thing, I regularly find that the higher the price you pay, the smaller the portion you get. One of life's great frustrations.
One of my favorite things about the UK is the number of absolutely ancient pubs that are still around. What fun to have Christmas Dinner at one of them. Also, how do you feel about doing a Q&A session one of these days? My first question is... who is the mysterious camera man? Does he get to enjoy some Christmas turkey as well? Did he get a Christmas hat? So many questions. Thanks for another fantastic video, Gary.
Thanks for another fantastic comment my friend. I will be doing a bit of an update on the channel at the start of the New Year! No turkey or hat for him!! I will make sure to keep you all in the loop.
Yes lovely old pub , Gary been there many times, I’ve never eaten food there though … it’s beautiful to visit in the summer, great selection of beers 🍻 & ales . Fair price on the food, but I agree the portions aren’t big enough for a Christmas dinner 🍽️..
Yes, Cocks is super old, it's about 5 miles away from where I am from, been past in hundreds of times, been in it quite a few times. A small pub, next to the huge park (go past the cathedral, down the hill and you will reach it). Worth a visit at least for a quick pint, if you don't have time to stop for food, before you reach the huge park and lakes. And sorry Gary, I disagree, yorkshire pudding for me goes with beef only, I wouldn't serve it with any poultry - I think a lot of people are probably traditional that way!
Absolutely beautiful public house. Must say Gary you've dressed for the occasion.very dapper sir. Not a bad plate of food either. I must say you've shown us some excellent places, I really love the look of that pub, so atmospheric. And yes you need a Yorkshire pudding at Christmas
As i'm getting on in age I find if I get a huge plate of food I cannot eat it all and I do hate waste.. And I think sometimes i'm just better of feelling full or getting to be full rather than bloated. Everyon'e different though as some can just eat huge amounts and are fine. I do think they should have just served the meal with the little gravy jug rather than pour it on themselfs. Another fab review mate. you and the stig are doing a cracking job of the reviews plenty of detail and plenty variety of places 🙌 oh and the subs tra a la la la 😉
Completely agree with you mate. When I'm sitting down on Christmas day, I don't mind being full to the brim but when out and about, much less prefer it. Spot on and thank you, I'll pass on the kind words to the cameraman. I can't call him the stig, he'll be far too happy with that. Lol.
I'd be really disappointed with the quantity for the price plus there were a few xmas items missing, yorshire puds, normal mash . Apart from that, it was an excellent review 😉
Glad to see the service has improved. I am local to St Albans and took the family there a few years back. The service was so poor and the waitress so obnoxious and rude we walked out. Trip adviser reviews of the time reflected that it was a common experience. Glad that has changed. It is a wonderful building which should be enjoyed.
Sprouts at last 🤣 The meal looked ok - I quite like parsnips and carrots roasted well - but the pigs in blankets and the potatoes didn't look all that great. For the price I would prefer the Blacklock roast dinner you reviewed just over a week ago (with the addition of sprouts) as a Christmas dinner, even though it was one course - and it did have that nice big Yorkshire pudding included. I would say this pub meal is overpriced by between £5 and £10 really. Thanks for another great review Gary.
Thank you Gary and Cameraman. Funny story my husband has Dick Turpin as one of his distant relatives, mine was the high Sherrif of Devon, my Dad said I married beneath my station, lol. Great review as always, smiles from Cyprus. 🤗🤗👍👍
Good review as always gary.agree with you could have done with more roast potatoes and more veg. Turkey looked delicious. Xmas pudding. Spot on although could have been a bigger portion👍👍
A few weeks before Christmas I had a Christmas dinner at The Antelope in Surbiton. It was under £20 and I had turkey, roast spuds, roast parsnips and carrots, cauliflower cheese, broccoli, stuffing, a pig in blanket and a huge Yorkshire pud with gravy and cranberry sauce, of course! A mountain of food. Also, the pub has a fantastic selection of beers and still ciders (including that day, mango cider and gingerbread cider.
The highlight of St Albans is the Abbey. I think the Town was a Tourist trap way back when it was a Roman Town with its Amphitheatre . The wife and I did pop in but only for a drink. The plate was over crowed ie small. The Roast pots should have been done a bit more, and in Duck fat, and only three small ones. A very small pig in blanket, and likewise for the stuffing The swede great, but the Carrots and Parsnips too well done, carrots should have been sliced and boiled . Sprouts should be Al dente, plus cut bacon pieces or French Merchant Gourmet chestnuts. Gravy a bit thin. A Yorkshire Pud only with beef. The Christmas Pud and custard looked OK, But a bit small. The price £24.95 .Well £20 .95 maybe . Marks 7.5 We come from the West of London, the down turn is the M25.
Gary that Turkey looked phenomenal. Personally I like my carrots are parsnips like that. The let down on that plate was the roast potatoes. Personally like a bit more colour and cut more irregular and the pigs in blankets which I like well done with a touch of honey over the top. Could also do with a jug of gravy on the side (which they sorted). Love yorkies but certainly do NOT belong on a Christmas dinner. Never seen mint leaves on an Xmas pudding btw.
That looked great, roasted veg & spuds excellent, most just slice and boil the veg. Surprised that nobody said, Dick Turpin was never there because he owned it at those prices. Enjoy and have a great Xmas Gary 🎉
WOWOWOWOWOW!!!!! Gee Gary, not only did you bring a smile to my face, you rekindled very fond memories of my visit to England almost 26 years ago. Back in February 1998, I went to England as my aunt had died and my uncle was deeply distressed. My Aunt was Phyllis was my father's youngest sister, and my Uncle Edmund was my mother's younger brother. May parents married on 02 September 1944, and my uncle and aunt married on 02 September 1952. I spent three months with Uncle Edmund, and one of the places he brought me to was *YE OLDE FIGHTING COCKS* near the *Verulamium.* I still have photographs of that extraordinary trip. I remember visiting *HATFIELD HOUSE* and became ticked off because I was not allowed to take photographs inside the building. In particular, I wanted to take a photograph of the original "Death Warrant" drafted by Lord Burleigh and signed by Queen Elizabeth 1, condemning Mary Queen of Scots to Death. I remember being so ticked off, I went outside, and moping when an old lady dressed in gardening kit, asked me whether I was enjoying the visit. I said I was until they barred me from taking photographs inside. The lady told me that the use of a flash usually ruined documents causing them to fade. I told her I NEVER USE A FLASH AND ONLY USED HIGH SPEED FILM I SUCH CASES. The lady asked me to wait, and went inside. whilst waiting, the male gardener asked me if I knew whom the lady was I was talking to. I said "NO." The gardener replied: *"That was the 7th Marchioness of Salisbury!"* Lady Salisbury then came out and escorted me back into the house and permitted me to take all the photographs I wanted. Back to YE OLDE FIGHTING COCKS. I loved that pub. We had a meal (I remember I had a steak) which was excellent. I would have given the emal a 10 but when they told me the VANDAL *OLIVER CROMWELL* had stayed at the pub; I deducted 100 points. I remember my late Irish Mam's response to my dad when the Old Man wrote to her and said "I have found us a beautiful house to live in when we come to Australia. He told Mam, the house is in a nice suburb in Brighton Victoria, and was in Cromwell Street, mam responded: "You can stick that house as I won't be living in it" Only then did dad realise why she reacted that way. I love that lake near YE OLDE FIGHTING COCKS and I have a beautiful photograph in Black & White I took of two swans in that lake. Thanks for bringing back all those memories Gary. I stood at that very entrance to the pub. I cannot believe it was so long ago. Poor old Uncle Edmund passed away in 2016. I loved that uncle of mine and I still have the last birthday card he sent me back in 2015. BTW, I was going to respond to the last podcast but things got hectic again. Take care my friend.
Our Christmas dinner is just a jazzed up version of our normal roastie. Always have at least 4/5 veg. Yorkshire's always whatever the meat. I'm cooking cawl (Welsh lamb stew) from left over Sunday roast, carrots, swede, leeks and parsley with potatoes added when almost done. Fresh parsley to top it off and there's your dinner on a plate, or in a bowl with lots of crusty bread. Can't wait my mouth is watering with the smell.😁
That looked lovely turkey, I did think the roasties looked a bit anaemic though .I would also include bread sauce with the stuffing. But as for Yorkshire's with Christmas dinner, nope I'm a traditionalist, Yorkshire puds only with roast beef.
Im with you Gary a home made yorkie pud with any dinner for me !..looked very nice....Merry Christmas 🎄to you and all your family..not forgetting the excellent Mr Camerman 🎄
Looked like a lovely meal in a lovely pub Gary. Yes Yorkshire pud for me definitely, and I'm impressed they didn't shoot themselves in the foot by charging extra for gravy. I would definitely go if I was in the area.
Depressing is a pile em high plate of overcooked veg and dry meat that has been sat at a carvery for 3 hours. This looks like it has been cooked with care and is actually a human sized portion.
@@bungle3912 I am a quality not quantity man personally although pigs in blankets would be nice I agree. Yorkshires have no place on a turkey Christmas dinner.
Hi Gary and Mr Cameraman, great vlog today but really bad weather for you both. Well the place you were today looked ok i thought, but the meal looked a bit like a school dinner in my humble opinion, and i thought for what you got £19-99p would of been a more resnoble price. In our house its the law that you have Yorkshire puddings on the Christmas dinner, also some stuffing peas or sweetcorn would have been nice to see. I agree with your score on this one, and think there was no service charge as the meal for what you got was quite expensive. Chris.
Seems a common theme with the weather Chris. A glass of wine was supposed to be included, that's why it ended up being £24.95 making your price point spot on. I love a Yorkie on Christmas Day, might have started something controversial here in the comments. All the best mate.
Had a christmas lunch yesterday roast turkey crown stuffing two pigs in blankets parsnip carrots mash and roast potatoes brussels and broccoli and a yorkshire pudd that to my mind has no place on a Christmas lunch and a gravy boat of extra gravy and a dish of beautiful cranberry sauce price £13.95! And it was all fresh cooked vegetables and hot. I ate everything bar the Yorkshire! Not needed. Think mine was by far the best value looking at yours.
Great camera work! The editing is top notch! The music was spot on! And anyone willing to wear a white sweater (jumper) to dinner is a brave man in my book! As always, another great video!
Hi dear! It all looked really good! Yummy! Thank you for another fun video! Love the hat!! And yes… a couple Yorkshire puddings for sure! I’m a dog groomer here in the USA, and yorkies? Are dogs!!!😂🤣‼️yorkie? Short for Yorkshire terrier! LOL!! Loved it!! Thanks again♥️‼️ Sending love, peace, and health to you and yours!( and yorkies!)♥️🎄🙋♀️☮️💕🐾🐾❣️
Whats happening gary...never been a big fan off dog's and pubs just seems all abit strange cant beat a good olde parsnips though a christmas staple.. food looks top drawer mate thank's for sharing.....
When I've hosted Christmas dinner, I have asked my family what food item do they think took the most work. It's the gravy - made from scrach turkey stcck.
The veggies and Christmas pudding look fantastic. I also love the atmosphere of the place. I remember going to the oldest pub in Norwich and loving it (don't remember the name as it's been years now).
Thanks for another very good review Gary - well recorded and narrated. I agree with your comments about the vegetables and stuffing; whatever happened to the vegetable bowls from which you could help yourself? The turkey looked great and nice to see the gravy boat. As someone who has lived in Yorkshire most of my life I have to disagree regarding Yorkshire pud. The canny Yorkshire folk served it with thick gravy as a first course to fill you and dull your appetite for the expensive main meat second course. And so leave Yorkshire pud well alone and make maximum room for the turkey and Christmas pud. Philip
A 50/50 split Gary - is it generational - i.e. youngsters love their their Yorkies? Years ago a friend told me about a wonderful carvery in York. They served a very large Yorkshire pud filled with onion gravy first and followed it by as much beef as you could eat. Before I could get to the carvery they had terminated the service. Greedy people had dodged the Yorkshire pud and gone straight to the beef with empty stomachs, destroying the profits. @@GaryEats
Another great review. From Cheshire live in the US but lived in Wear😊 Hertfordshire for 12-14 years St Albans amazing city made me sad I never went to this place. Been to a lot of pubs in Hertrordshire feachured in Moorse.
Turkey looked nice and moist. Roasties not crisp enough. Pigs needed extra time in the oven too. Would have preferred a gravy boat to pour my own where I wanted. Hubby Joe would have liked more stuffing, think I would have too. A Yorkie would have been a nice touch. Not a Christmas pudding fan - think they were redcurrants on top rather than cranberries though. Must say it was presented well. Good review, Gary!
Know the pub, never eaten there. We had Sunday lunch at our local ,The Star,Standon ,Herts. I had the rib of beef,my better half had turkey. 10/10 every time there,we’re booked in again on 21st December. It’s fabulous food,people come from miles to eat there. One warning,you must book well in advance even for weekdays. Love your videos 👍
A delicious plate of food there Gary. Roast turkey dinner is my favourite and the turkey looked great. A nice selection of sides. I'm not a great fan of sprouts, but I don’t mind them. On the other hand ... I will not tolerate Swede! Or as we call it here, turnips. (Kind of like you and mushrooms 😊) I also agree that cranberry sauce is a must. Greetings and Merry Christmas from Canada. 🇨🇦 p.s.: Nice hat!
I’ve been going to this pub since I was old enough to drink basically a teenager. What a great place it’s worth going to see the lake and the Cathedral up the hill also all the Roman mosaic and museum great review thanks
Lovely to see you had swede(turnip if you are Cornish!) Carrots and parsnips slightly overcooked! Like to add my own gravy from a jug! Turkey was plentiful but no stuffing! I would have given it a 6! Glad you enjoyed it overall Gary!
Hi Gary. just catching up on your videos. It made smile that the last one in the 'oldest pub in Wales' because I too have been to the oldest pub in Wales and it wasnt that one.!!! I also have been to several of 'the oldest pubs in Glasgow and Edinburgh'. Funny that. Also lovely to see your personality come out over time xxx
Score was spot on Gary. Yes Yorkshire pud would’ve been nice plus some mash potatoes I’m not over keen on stuffing or Christmas pudding, but when I was a kid I couldn’t stand all the vegetables. What was on your plate but today I love them now and yes you’ve got to have cranberry sauce 👍🏼👍🏼
Well, now you are talking, St Albans is a lovely place, I know it very well. Funnily enough we’ve been on walks around the lakes next to it but never been in there. There’s a wealth of restaurants nearby. As for the Christmas dinner, the turkey looked lovely, some other elements let it down a bit. I’ve always done Yorkies with Christmas dinner, because the family wanted them, but with there being so many other ingredients it just gets too filling. I did think it was amusing that you said you came out full and had learned something about not filling the plate too much, but then said you wished there’s been more roasties, stuffing etc. I also thought when I saw it, that looks like you need more gravy. Great review as always, and nice to see something familiar
It's a wonderful place. Haha, yes! I think in reality for a Christmas dinner it needed more, on Christmas Day - I'd be a bit disappointed with that but on every other day especially when reviewing, I didn't mind that portion. All the best Karen.
@@GaryEats totally agree, that on the ‘big day’ you’d expect more, quite expensive for two courses, did you decline the wine or just not get offered it ? All the best to you too Gary 🥂
A mate of mine used to be the "chef" there - he got the sack for getting drunk whilst working! The pub looks exactly the same as when I lived there - it was never one of my favourite pubs, but a nice setting down in the old Roman town - the lake is on the site of the original Roman cemetary. The museum is worth a look, as is the Abbey.
A lovely historic pub and good to see it is going strong still. The meal looked fine but it could have done with a bit more veg and gravy. Definitely should have had a Yorkshire pudding. We fill our plates up on Christmas day. I might have to try mash and turnip/swede again. My parents used to do this and I didn't like it, so they gave me mash on it's own. I only like parsnips in small doses also! I wouldn't eat them at all when younger. I do love Christmas pudding, but like you, can't find enough room for it after a Christmas dinner. Christmas pudding is so filling it can be used as a meal in itself. You can get them at a reduced price after Christmas, then eat them as a meal in Jan/Feb!
Now then my verdict, 3 roast potatoes plenty but should be crispy, shouldn't be swede, should definitely be mash potatoes, but absolutely no yourkshire Gary, as a yorkshire lass yorkies served with beef 😊 that turkey crown looked delicious 😋 My christmas lunch Turkey (proper turkey gravy) Roast & mashed potatoes Carrots, parsnips and stuffing At least 3 pigs in blankets and loads of brussel sprouts. Pudding looked devine and a nice portion 🎉 love your videos Sue
Lived in St Albans for many years and was a regular here. Was perfect then even in the weekend nightly sessions. Food then even great so glad you enjoyed. Follow up round the corner in Brookmand Park near Welham Green at Miller and Carters. You will love it if you "Give it a go" 😂
Visited this pub a few years ago, as it was in my neck of the woods growing up. My fiancé and I only had drinks however and sat in the beer garden, we would like to return and try the food after watching this! First thing we commented was ‘where’s the Yorkshire?!’ We would like to recommend you a place where we live now in Witham, Essex. A lovely Spanish tapas restaurant on the high street, el Pulpo! Well worth checking out 🇪🇸
Good review as always Gary.I thought your vote out of 10 was fair as even though the food looked fine you only had a small portion of meat (Turkey) and too few roast potatoes on your plate for my tastes.I certainly agree that Yorkshire pudding would be a plus with what is basicaly a roast meal and i often have it with any roast.Once again your xmas pudding seemed fairly small but did look good.I would swap weather conditions with you if i could for a few days as today will be 35+C and last saturday was a horrendous 44C,summer this year will be tough as the worst is usually in February with the added high humidity
I always have Yorkie pud with my Christmas dinner, wouldn't be the same without! The turkey looked very nice, I agree that there were not enough roast potatoes and stuffing (love stuffing). Interesting bit of history at the beginning, especially the bit about the monks and their pigeons. Really enjoyed watching this Gary - the hat suits you. Looking forward to seeing where you travel to next time! All the best Tania and Chirpy Pigeon.
Gary yorkies all the way such a shame , you gave a very fair review as always . The meal was ok let down on the potatoes as well definitely not enough . They say eyes bigger than your belly . It was ok in size . Nice they gave you extra gravy no cost . The bill was an ok charge for what you got there . Thanks Gary overall as always a great honest review. Looking forward to your next one .❤️👏🤩🎄🎄🎄👍
Thanks Gary, i just love your videos and finally a food reviewer who speaks properly and does not use stupid slang words. Just plain honest very useful reviews.
Hello Gary, I just love the cross over.Old & New.The history, the massive Wall mounted television 📺 and Cromwell's horse 🐴 The Christmas fayre looked a good mix. The carrots & parsnips, a bit thin& limp.Mashed swede a very nice change. Sprouts ( didn't see any bacon? only way my son will eat them😮) Stuffing a tiny bit sparse pigs in blankets could have stood another 10 minutes cooking.. Turkey, crown roast I think.Good thick slices. Two moans. Cranberry should be served off plate.Gravy self pour😢 Pudding time,standard catering individual Pudding, 👌. The cost ,maybe a couple of quid to high for one. As a package brilliant. Did CTP get a hat? & did you pull your cracker?😂All my very best wishes & thanks again for you both Allan&Family 😊 PS with a glass of wine, price would be spot on PPS.NO TO YORKSHIRE PUDDING !
yes back in England with its standard weather, may be you should start the video with the signing in the rain song. I thought some one had put a stick on the plate till i found out it was parsnip. But there does not look like much veg. no cauli, broc YP. not even a spoon of peas. Not sure were these people come up with ideas of a Christmas dinner the Christmas pudding looks like one you can get for a £1
Dear Mr G....From the oldest/youngest/not so old/middle aged pub in the world. We used to serve dinosaurs !!! That's how old we are.......thank for your kind review and your admission that we failed to charge you for the extra gravy. Please send by post £4.75. We are sorry we overcooked the parsnips and undercooked the Roasties. Our chef is still learning and had to get back to nursery school. We did mention it to little Timmy and he apologised by giggling and blowing a snot bubble. We are pleased you enjoyed the massive stuffing ball and anaemic looking piggy-in-blankey. Thrilled you loved the pudding. It WAS a large portion made to look smaller by the tennis ball sized cranberries on top We are also 'grape' ful you didn't want the free wine…….more for us…’burrrrp’…….Happy Valentines day. 😊
Hi Gary, there wasn't a lot of food on offer for the price mate although the quality looked ok, got to have plenty of gravy on hand, and yes, Yorkshire puddings as well. As for the pub, I believe Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham is the oldest pub in England.
LOOKS A LOVELY PUB FOOD NOT TO SHABBY ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO GARY (I ALWAYS USE UPPER CASE LETTERS AS I AM PARTIALLY SIGHTED SOME PEOPLE OBJECT SO I NEED TO EXPLAIN)HAVE A BRILLIANT CHRISTMAS AND ALL THE VERY BEST FOR NEW YEAR ❤
New to the channel and I am loving the videos. Original from Wales but now live in the states I miss the vibe of a good pub especially on a Sunday lunchtime. Yorkshire is a must for any roast dinner! Keep it up mate.
The Turkey and gravy looked really nice, but missing the Yorkshire pudding and from my POV, mashed potatoes. Both the parsnip and the carrot looked overdone to me, but I may be wrong as I often am. Three small roasties, a bit too skinny for the price, but they looked very nice. The brussel sprouts and the mashed suede, its not my cup of tea. Another fantastic honest and great review, mate! Keep up the fabulous work and always looking forward to your reviews, as you know. Have a wonderful rest of your day, Gary, will shoot you an email as soon as possible, sorry for the delay. 😊
A couple of good slabs of turkey there, but perhaps the plate could have done with a little more colour. I realise that it is mostly about the taste, but the first bite is with the eye they say! A very fair review again, and I hope that keeping the hat on at least helped stop the rain running down your face..... Keep up the good work, and it is really appreciated by so many of us!
Rocking the green party hat, fella.😄 I think most of us are guilty of overloading our plates at times so having a meal that fills you perfectly without getting that awful food hangover is a nice feeling. This dinner looked decent enough but, as you said, some elements underdone, some overdone. The Christmas pudding looked like a lovely treat at the end - glad you had room in your belly for it!
I love Hertfordshire, last time I was there was in: Harpenden! I have been to the Olde Fighting Cocks one and was lovely food/drinks etc Completely agree with your review esp the Xmas Pudding-I wonder if they will make it bigger in the future?? Another solid review 👍
"Ho ho ho let's give it a go!" That can be your catch phrase when you review Christmas meals! 😁 BTW I vote YES to Yorkshire puds with my Christmas dinner!!
Well done on not getting gravy or cranberry sauce on your white jumper! Amazing feat especially in pub. Fair. score and yes you should always have a Yorkshire Pudding with Christmas Dinner!
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Something that I completely forgot to mention and didn't realise myself until afterwards is that you're also supposed to get a glass of wine included with the meal.
My apologies for the confusion.
I worked in St Albans for just 2 years and I loved it. However, this was 1990 😥
No need to wine about it ;)
LOL.@@Theboxingobserver
Never heard of a kitchen charging for extra gravy gary
Oops, forgot the wine, that was a bit of a fighting cock up. 😉
As a kid, growing up (in Devon) and until I came to NZ, Christmas dinner at my parents house was always the same. Dad didn't approve of buying extra vegetables, so unless we'd grown or bartered for it, we didn't have it to eat. (a large family on a very, very low income) Our dinner on Christmas day was roast goose (turkey was for Boxing day, when we had extended family, so a much larger bird was needed), home made stuffing, roast and boiled potato, mashed swede and brussels sprouts, all smothered in Dad's gravy. Dad did all the cooking and would get up extra early to put the bird in the oven to roast slowly, ready for serving between 1pm and 2pm. If we'd grown them, there would be parsnips and cabbage, but most of the time, those crops were small and mostly gone by the end of December. We didn't have a freezer, so peas and carrots were eaten as picked, the same with the many types of beans. But it wasn't a hardship - we had plenty to eat! And what we ate was grown and cooked with love. It might sound extravagant having two different meats, but to afford them, Dad went to the farm they were raised on and helped in the processing of the birds that had been raised for the Christmas market - so the goose was his wage and the turkey was heavily reduced, costing about the same as a large chicken! It wasn't pleasant work, but it helped ensure we had a lovely meal!
I've never had Yorkshire pudding with a Christmas dinner - I don't know whether I'd enjoy it with all the other flavours. I do love it with lamb or beef. And if I was to have that sort of meal now, I'd want it to be how it was when I was a child - so many happy memories! The one thing we WILL have over this coming festive season, is Christmas pudding - that goes with all sorts of meals, even during a NZ Summer!
A very nice read Liz. Thank you for that :)
We had a big family and had Yorkshire and gravy to start our meal not Christmas though.the first time I had Yorkshire with my meal I think was when I was in my late teens.
Love your reviews, so honest, sincere and genuinely enthusiastic. Loved the bit of history at the start too.
Very kind of you - thank you!
My father bought me my first pint in Ye Olde Fighting Cocks. Lovely pub, with a great atmosphere and beer garden. I’ve never had more than a portion of chips in there though as there are so many great restaurants in the town. Best enjoyed in the summer, followed by a stroll up behind you to the cathedral, or to your left into Verulamium Park. It’s an old pub - the strange construction, compared with other old pubs, is because it predates the use of scrapped ship of the line timber in its construction - so before the Royal Navy.
Great story. Thank you for sharing.
That's the thing about Christmas dinners - they're very filling, and it's easy to end up feeling more stuffed than the turkey if you're not careful! That plate looked nicely balanced to me.
Good stuff!
As a Yank, I think the portions were very proper, especially if you were to have a third course, and dessert. Presentation looked nice. Maybe needed a roll or a Yorkshire pudding to soak up the gravy.
Hi Gary, so pleased to see how quickly your channel is growing. I’ve just introduced your channel to my husband who is a massive foodie. He wondered where all my new restaurant recommendations have been coming from. Also, I had scans last week and the chemo has done such a brilliant job that I’m going to get time of treatment until middle of January. So I can eat to my hearts content. Thanks again for this wonderful space that you’ve created.
So glad you are healing ❤
Live Strong Helen , I went through Radio Therapy last year and it helped tremendously, my thoughts and support are with you ❤
Helen, you have no idea how happy I am to hear that news. You truly deserve it and I wish you the absolute best.
Thank you all. You have no idea how touched I am that there are people out there who have warm and kind words for me, a stranger on the Internet. When I’m feeling down, I’ll come back and read these comments. Thank you Gary, for creating such a safe and happy corner of the Internet.
@@helennaomi8694 What a lovely response to the positive comments answering your original comment. I'd just like to add my best wishes to you Helen as well. Have a lovely Christmas!
Hi from Canada. My father was a proud Brit and he loved Yorkshire puddings. I have subscribed and look forward to many more reviews. I hope to one day travel to England and enjoy the land my father loved so much. Merry Christmas!
Welcome aboard! Merry Christmas to you and hope you can come over soon.
I am so glad to have found you on RUclips. One of the best channels. Love all your postings.
Wow, thank you Victoria!
Really enjoying your food reviews Gary. Love your style and honestly. Always fair and balanced. Keep them coming. Thanks 🙏
Thanks so much
Nice video once again, Gary. What puzzles me a bit🤔 is how little stuffing and potatoes there were on the plate considering how inexpensive bread and potatoes are ?
Indeed. Seems to be a common theme!
Never had Yorkshire Pud for Xmas dinner as a kid, and my mum did do the full works. Mind you, we didn't have pigs in blankets then either. Turkey, mash and roast spuds, brussels, carrots and peas and lashings of gravy-lovely!
Just discovered "Gary's eats" about a week ago. We love it and always say "Let's give it a go" before we tuck into our scran now!
I do the same lol
You're lucky! You have a few months of videos to enjoy 😊
Haha, that's wonderful to hear. Thank you :)
Thank you Michael :)
Another great video Gary. Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St. Albans was built in circa 1600 yet Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham was built in 1189 making it the oldest pub in England
Yep. Thank you Francis!
A roast potato preparation option, after blanching the Maris Piper potatoes, dry off most of moisture, then cover in breadcrumbs or Panko rice flakes that have been mixed with favourite herbs. Roast in pre-heated oven.
Lovely stuff Jeffrey.
the food looked good, the portion was a bit stingy in my opinion.
they should've added a yorkshire pudding and 2 extra slices of turkey.
thanks for another entertaining and enjoyable video, gary, you're almost at 30k now!👌🙂
Thank you my friend. Yes, so close!!
agreed, one stuffing ball, no sausage, stingy on the gravy too? Bad value @@GaryEats
Looks like a big starter
@@arthurvandeman Examine Gary's words ! After the portion of main course and the portion of dessert, he was content. Do we really want to feel bloated every time we eat ? Very good value - especially with that glass of wine !
Yorkshire doesn't go with Xmas dinner.
My now sadly deceased grandmother used to be the cook and then landlady of the Fighting Cocks around 70 years ago. According to family legend the opportunity arose to buy it (or more likely buy the lease) but the funds were not available and so I am not the landlord! It's been through some up and downs in the last 30 years including closing a couple of times but I am glad to see it open again as it's a magnificent building in a beautifullocation in the park and has at times been a wonderful pub. The fairly priced food looked decent if not outstanding, but then a Christmas dinner rarely is outstanding.
Sorry to hear that Dane. The pub is lovely.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Another top draw review, Gary. Chiming in on the portion size thing, I regularly find that the higher the price you pay, the smaller the portion you get. One of life's great frustrations.
Thank you my friend. Seems to be the case!
One of my favorite things about the UK is the number of absolutely ancient pubs that are still around. What fun to have Christmas Dinner at one of them.
Also, how do you feel about doing a Q&A session one of these days? My first question is... who is the mysterious camera man? Does he get to enjoy some Christmas turkey as well? Did he get a Christmas hat? So many questions.
Thanks for another fantastic video, Gary.
Thanks for another fantastic comment my friend. I will be doing a bit of an update on the channel at the start of the New Year!
No turkey or hat for him!! I will make sure to keep you all in the loop.
Yes lovely old pub , Gary been there many times, I’ve never eaten food there though … it’s beautiful to visit in the summer, great selection of beers 🍻 & ales .
Fair price on the food, but I agree the portions aren’t big enough for a Christmas dinner 🍽️..
Glad you like it Paul. Don't disagree with you mate!
The dinner looked a bit small, for £25 I'd expect a bit more.
Making me look forward to my Christmas dinner, not long to go now!
Merry Christmas.
Dont wish Christmas away mate.
Merry Christmas to you too!
your review highlight of my day,thanks Gary going all these wonderful places,
You're too kind Angela. Wishing you a lovely Christmas.
I think there should have been a Yorkshire pudding Turkey looked lovely great video again Gary😊
Me too Caroline. Thanks for watching!
Yes, Cocks is super old, it's about 5 miles away from where I am from, been past in hundreds of times, been in it quite a few times. A small pub, next to the huge park (go past the cathedral, down the hill and you will reach it). Worth a visit at least for a quick pint, if you don't have time to stop for food, before you reach the huge park and lakes. And sorry Gary, I disagree, yorkshire pudding for me goes with beef only, I wouldn't serve it with any poultry - I think a lot of people are probably traditional that way!
Very old but I did like it there
Absolutely beautiful public house.
Must say Gary you've dressed for the occasion.very dapper sir.
Not a bad plate of food either. I must say you've shown us some excellent places, I really love the look of that pub, so atmospheric. And yes you need a Yorkshire pudding at Christmas
Yorkshire pudding goes with beef not Turkey 😊
@@riddimchef1 💅
I did say you need a Yorkshire pudding at Christmas
I never mentioned turkey.
😂👍🏾
Thank you Paul - glad you're liking it. Very kind of you mate.
As i'm getting on in age I find if I get a huge plate of food I cannot eat it all and I do hate waste.. And I think sometimes i'm just better of feelling full or getting to be full rather than bloated. Everyon'e different though as some can just eat huge amounts and are fine. I do think they should have just served the meal with the little gravy jug rather than pour it on themselfs. Another fab review mate. you and the stig are doing a cracking job of the reviews plenty of detail and plenty variety of places 🙌 oh and the subs tra a la la la 😉
Completely agree with you mate. When I'm sitting down on Christmas day, I don't mind being full to the brim but when out and about, much less prefer it. Spot on and thank you, I'll pass on the kind words to the cameraman. I can't call him the stig, he'll be far too happy with that. Lol.
I'd be really disappointed with the quantity for the price plus there were a few xmas items missing, yorshire puds, normal mash .
Apart from that, it was an excellent review 😉
Haha, that's fair enough Chris. There was meant to be a glass of wine included.
All the best.
Yorkshire pudding is traditionaly an accompaniment to roast beef 😊
Indeed.
Glad to see the service has improved. I am local to St Albans and took the family there a few years back. The service was so poor and the waitress so obnoxious and rude we walked out. Trip adviser reviews of the time reflected that it was a common experience. Glad that has changed. It is a wonderful building which should be enjoyed.
Spot on. Service was quite friendly we went.
Sprouts at last 🤣 The meal looked ok - I quite like parsnips and carrots roasted well - but the pigs in blankets and the potatoes didn't look all that great. For the price I would prefer the Blacklock roast dinner you reviewed just over a week ago (with the addition of sprouts) as a Christmas dinner, even though it was one course - and it did have that nice big Yorkshire pudding included. I would say this pub meal is overpriced by between £5 and £10 really. Thanks for another great review Gary.
Love Brussel sprouts. Supposed to be a glass of wine included in the meal as well which I forgot about! Thank you my friend :)
Thank you Gary and Cameraman. Funny story my husband has Dick Turpin as one of his distant relatives, mine was the high Sherrif of Devon, my Dad said I married beneath my station, lol. Great review as always, smiles from Cyprus. 🤗🤗👍👍
That was so funny, thank you very much 😂😂
Good review as always gary.agree with you could have done with more roast potatoes and more veg. Turkey looked delicious. Xmas pudding.
Spot on although could have been a bigger portion👍👍
Thanks Helen 👍
A few weeks before Christmas I had a Christmas dinner at The Antelope in Surbiton. It was under £20 and I had turkey, roast spuds, roast parsnips and carrots, cauliflower cheese, broccoli, stuffing, a pig in blanket and a huge Yorkshire pud with gravy and cranberry sauce, of course! A mountain of food. Also, the pub has a fantastic selection of beers and still ciders (including that day, mango cider and gingerbread cider.
I’ve reviewed another place next to the Antelope and now I’m gutted I didn’t pick there!
Only found your channel recently, absolutely love your content ❤
Welcome!! Very kind of you mate :)
The highlight of St Albans is the Abbey. I think the Town was a Tourist trap way back when it was a Roman Town with its Amphitheatre . The wife and I did pop in but only for a drink. The plate was over crowed ie small. The Roast pots should have been done a bit more, and in Duck fat, and only three small ones. A very small pig in blanket, and likewise for the stuffing The swede great, but the Carrots and Parsnips too well done, carrots should have been sliced and boiled . Sprouts should be Al dente, plus cut bacon pieces or French Merchant Gourmet chestnuts. Gravy a bit thin. A Yorkshire Pud only with beef. The Christmas Pud and custard looked OK, But a bit small. The price £24.95 .Well £20 .95 maybe . Marks 7.5 We come from the West of London, the down turn is the M25.
Indeed Eric. Thanks for watching!
Gary that Turkey looked phenomenal. Personally I like my carrots are parsnips like that. The let down on that plate was the roast potatoes. Personally like a bit more colour and cut more irregular and the pigs in blankets which I like well done with a touch of honey over the top. Could also do with a jug of gravy on the side (which they sorted). Love yorkies but certainly do NOT belong on a Christmas dinner. Never seen mint leaves on an Xmas pudding btw.
The turkey was excellent. It carried the plate, the rest was good but nothing special in my opinion. No problem Palace, all the best.
@GaryEats Gary JFYI my real name is Rob. But don't mind being called Palace.
Cheers Rob. I don't like asking so I'm glad I've finally got it!
@GaryEats I was a chef for 16 years and I can honestly say you are one of my favourite food bloggers
Is it possible that those potatoes were deep fried?
Great as usual Gary… used to live nearby … never rated the food there tbh… portions looked very small for the price…
Thanks James!
That looked great, roasted veg & spuds excellent, most just slice and boil the veg.
Surprised that nobody said, Dick Turpin was never there because he owned it at those prices.
Enjoy and have a great Xmas Gary 🎉
Glad you liked it mate. All the best to you, lol love that comment about Dick Turpin.
@@GaryEats 😂
WOWOWOWOWOW!!!!! Gee Gary, not only did you bring a smile to my face, you rekindled very fond memories of my visit to England almost 26 years ago. Back in February 1998, I went to England as my aunt had died and my uncle was deeply distressed. My Aunt was Phyllis was my father's youngest sister, and my Uncle Edmund was my mother's younger brother. May parents married on 02 September 1944, and my uncle and aunt married on 02 September 1952. I spent three months with Uncle Edmund, and one of the places he brought me to was *YE OLDE FIGHTING COCKS* near the *Verulamium.* I still have photographs of that extraordinary trip. I remember visiting *HATFIELD HOUSE* and became ticked off because I was not allowed to take photographs inside the building. In particular, I wanted to take a photograph of the original "Death Warrant" drafted by Lord Burleigh and signed by Queen Elizabeth 1, condemning Mary Queen of Scots to Death. I remember being so ticked off, I went outside, and moping when an old lady dressed in gardening kit, asked me whether I was enjoying the visit. I said I was until they barred me from taking photographs inside. The lady told me that the use of a flash usually ruined documents causing them to fade. I told her I NEVER USE A FLASH AND ONLY USED HIGH SPEED FILM I SUCH CASES. The lady asked me to wait, and went inside. whilst waiting, the male gardener asked me if I knew whom the lady was I was talking to. I said "NO." The gardener replied: *"That was the 7th Marchioness of Salisbury!"* Lady Salisbury then came out and escorted me back into the house and permitted me to take all the photographs I wanted. Back to YE OLDE FIGHTING COCKS. I loved that pub. We had a meal (I remember I had a steak) which was excellent. I would have given the emal a 10 but when they told me the VANDAL *OLIVER CROMWELL* had stayed at the pub; I deducted 100 points. I remember my late Irish Mam's response to my dad when the Old Man wrote to her and said "I have found us a beautiful house to live in when we come to Australia. He told Mam, the house is in a nice suburb in Brighton Victoria, and was in Cromwell Street, mam responded: "You can stick that house as I won't be living in it" Only then did dad realise why she reacted that way. I love that lake near YE OLDE FIGHTING COCKS and I have a beautiful photograph in Black & White I took of two swans in that lake. Thanks for bringing back all those memories Gary. I stood at that very entrance to the pub. I cannot believe it was so long ago. Poor old Uncle Edmund passed away in 2016. I loved that uncle of mine and I still have the last birthday card he sent me back in 2015. BTW, I was going to respond to the last podcast but things got hectic again. Take care my friend.
Angus - always wishing you well my friend. All the best and thanks for such a touching read.
Our Christmas dinner is just a jazzed up version of our normal roastie. Always have at least 4/5 veg. Yorkshire's always whatever the meat. I'm cooking cawl (Welsh lamb stew) from left over Sunday roast, carrots, swede, leeks and parsley with potatoes added when almost done. Fresh parsley to top it off and there's your dinner on a plate, or in a bowl with lots of crusty bread. Can't wait my mouth is watering with the smell.😁
That’s sounds like my perfect meal Jennifer
That looked great, Gary! Loved the party hat, that's the spirit!🎉
Have to get into the Christmas spirit Sheila!
I have visited that pub as love going to St albans on a Sunday.Lovely pub and St albans is a great place to visit.lots of history.
Glad you like it as well. Pub is stunning!
That looked lovely turkey, I did think the roasties looked a bit anaemic though .I would also include bread sauce with the stuffing. But as for Yorkshire's with Christmas dinner, nope I'm a traditionalist, Yorkshire puds only with roast beef.
Indeed. Needed a few more and a bit crispier!
Im with you Gary a home made yorkie pud with any dinner for me !..looked very nice....Merry Christmas 🎄to you and all your family..not forgetting the excellent Mr Camerman 🎄
Oh yes. Have a wonderful Christmas yourself!
The mark-up on that meal must be about 300%. Extortionate.
Please check pinned comment. Also was meant to include a glass of wine that I didn't realise until afterwards.
Yep, 3-400% is the amount food gets marked up to cover labour, costs, rent and many other factors.
Looked like a lovely meal in a lovely pub Gary. Yes Yorkshire pud for me definitely, and I'm impressed they didn't shoot themselves in the foot by charging extra for gravy. I would definitely go if I was in the area.
Good stuff Nick.
That is a really depressing Christmas dinner. More than £20 for that? No chance.
Please check pinned comment. Also was meant to include a glass of wine that I didn't realise until afterwards.
Depressing is a pile em high plate of overcooked veg and dry meat that has been sat at a carvery for 3 hours. This looks like it has been cooked with care and is actually a human sized portion.
@@davidk7262 I agree. The portion size was fine for me and the turkey looked delicious.
@@davidk7262 Three small potatoes? Come on. No Yorkshire pudding? No pigs in blankets? Shite.
@@bungle3912 I am a quality not quantity man personally although pigs in blankets would be nice I agree. Yorkshires have no place on a turkey Christmas dinner.
Hi Gary and Mr Cameraman, great vlog today but really bad weather for you both.
Well the place you were today looked ok i thought, but the meal looked a bit like a school dinner in my humble opinion, and i thought for what you got £19-99p would of been a more resnoble price.
In our house its the law that you have Yorkshire puddings on the Christmas dinner, also some stuffing peas or sweetcorn would have been nice to see.
I agree with your score on this one, and think there was no service charge as the meal for what you got was quite expensive.
Chris.
Seems a common theme with the weather Chris. A glass of wine was supposed to be included, that's why it ended up being £24.95 making your price point spot on.
I love a Yorkie on Christmas Day, might have started something controversial here in the comments. All the best mate.
Thanks to your influence, I've ordered an English pudding and brandy sauce for OUR Christmas dinner. It'll be fun!
Enjoy it!! :)
Had a christmas lunch yesterday roast turkey crown stuffing two pigs in blankets parsnip carrots mash and roast potatoes brussels and broccoli and a yorkshire pudd that to my mind has no place on a Christmas lunch and a gravy boat of extra gravy and a dish of beautiful cranberry sauce price £13.95! And it was all fresh cooked vegetables and hot. I ate everything bar the Yorkshire! Not needed. Think mine was by far the best value looking at yours.
Very good value. Where was that?
@@GaryEats it was The Arrow Farm shop Cafe on the A619 Steetley Lane at Worksop in Nottinghamshire.
Great camera work! The editing is top notch! The music was spot on!
And anyone willing to wear a white sweater (jumper) to dinner is a brave man in my book!
As always, another great video!
Haha thanks Jerry. No mess on the jumper!
Hi dear! It all looked really good! Yummy! Thank you for another fun video! Love the hat!! And yes… a couple Yorkshire puddings for sure! I’m a dog groomer here in the USA, and yorkies? Are dogs!!!😂🤣‼️yorkie? Short for Yorkshire terrier! LOL!! Loved it!! Thanks again♥️‼️ Sending love, peace, and health to you and yours!( and yorkies!)♥️🎄🙋♀️☮️💕🐾🐾❣️
Glad you're enjoying them Sue! Lol, indeed! All the best to you.
Whats happening gary...never been a big fan off dog's and pubs just seems all abit strange cant beat a good olde parsnips though a christmas staple.. food looks top drawer mate thank's for sharing.....
Hello John. No problem mate, can understand that. You're welcome!
When I've hosted Christmas dinner, I have asked my family what food item do they think took the most work. It's the gravy - made from scrach turkey stcck.
The veggies and Christmas pudding look fantastic. I also love the atmosphere of the place. I remember going to the oldest pub in Norwich and loving it (don't remember the name as it's been years now).
Thanks for another very good review Gary - well recorded and narrated. I agree with your comments about the vegetables and stuffing; whatever happened to the vegetable bowls from which you could help yourself? The turkey looked great and nice to see the gravy boat. As someone who has lived in Yorkshire most of my life I have to disagree regarding Yorkshire pud. The canny Yorkshire folk served it with thick gravy as a first course to fill you and dull your appetite for the expensive main meat second course. And so leave Yorkshire pud well alone and make maximum room for the turkey and Christmas pud. Philip
No problem Philip. It's been a very even 50/50 split regarding Yorkies.
A 50/50 split Gary - is it generational - i.e. youngsters love their their Yorkies?
Years ago a friend told me about a wonderful carvery in York. They served a very large Yorkshire pud filled with onion gravy first and followed it by as much beef as you could eat. Before I could get to the carvery they had terminated the service. Greedy people had dodged the Yorkshire pud and gone straight to the beef with empty stomachs, destroying the profits. @@GaryEats
You cheer me up no end , going in hospital next week for a big operation .bless you
That's very kind of you Linda. Wish you all the best with your operation :)
Another great review. From Cheshire live in the US but lived in Wear😊 Hertfordshire for 12-14 years St Albans amazing city made me sad I never went to this place. Been to a lot of pubs in Hertrordshire feachured in Moorse.
Good stuff Derrick.
Turkey looked nice and moist. Roasties not crisp enough. Pigs needed extra time in the oven too. Would have preferred a gravy boat to pour my own where I wanted. Hubby Joe would have liked more stuffing, think I would have too. A Yorkie would have been a nice touch. Not a Christmas pudding fan - think they were redcurrants on top rather than cranberries though. Must say it was presented well. Good review, Gary!
Know the pub, never eaten there. We had Sunday lunch at our local ,The Star,Standon ,Herts. I had the rib of beef,my better half had turkey. 10/10 every time there,we’re booked in again on 21st December. It’s fabulous food,people come from miles to eat there. One warning,you must book well in advance even for weekdays. Love your videos 👍
Thanks Terry and thanks for the tip.
I have been binging your video Gary. Mrs and I love them. Your cool and calm demeanor make these a treat to watch. You will be on the tele soon.
Thanks mate. Oh god, no one needs that
A delicious plate of food there Gary. Roast turkey dinner is my favourite and the turkey looked great. A nice selection of sides. I'm not a great fan of sprouts, but I don’t mind them. On the other hand ... I will not tolerate Swede! Or as we call it here, turnips. (Kind of like you and mushrooms 😊) I also agree that cranberry sauce is a must.
Greetings and Merry Christmas from Canada. 🇨🇦
p.s.: Nice hat!
Thank you John. All the best to you in Canada.
I’ve been going to this pub since I was old enough to drink basically a teenager. What a great place it’s worth going to see the lake and the Cathedral up the hill also all the Roman mosaic and museum great review thanks
Great to hear. It's a lovely pub!
Lovely to see you had swede(turnip if you are Cornish!) Carrots and parsnips slightly overcooked! Like to add my own gravy from a jug! Turkey was plentiful but no stuffing! I would have given it a 6! Glad you enjoyed it overall Gary!
Apologise Gary there was stuffing just not enough! Pub looks great..
Thanks Lorna. I forgot to include the glass of wine in the price as well.
Hi Gary. just catching up on your videos. It made smile that the last one in the 'oldest pub in Wales' because I too have been to the oldest pub in Wales and it wasnt that one.!!! I also have been to several of 'the oldest pubs in Glasgow and Edinburgh'. Funny that. Also lovely to see your personality come out over time xxx
Thank you Hannah, loved it there
Score was spot on Gary. Yes Yorkshire pud would’ve been nice plus some mash potatoes I’m not over keen on stuffing or Christmas pudding, but when I was a kid I couldn’t stand all the vegetables. What was on your plate but today I love them now and yes you’ve got to have cranberry sauce 👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks Sean, think you've nailed it.
Hi Gary. Totally agree.....you've got to have a Yorkshire with your Xmas Dinner.
Oh yes!
Well, now you are talking, St Albans is a lovely place, I know it very well. Funnily enough we’ve been on walks around the lakes next to it but never been in there. There’s a wealth of restaurants nearby. As for the Christmas dinner, the turkey looked lovely, some other elements let it down a bit. I’ve always done Yorkies with Christmas dinner, because the family wanted them, but with there being so many other ingredients it just gets too filling. I did think it was amusing that you said you came out full and had learned something about not filling the plate too much, but then said you wished there’s been more roasties, stuffing etc. I also thought when I saw it, that looks like you need more gravy. Great review as always, and nice to see something familiar
It's a wonderful place. Haha, yes! I think in reality for a Christmas dinner it needed more, on Christmas Day - I'd be a bit disappointed with that but on every other day especially when reviewing, I didn't mind that portion. All the best Karen.
@@GaryEats totally agree, that on the ‘big day’ you’d expect more, quite expensive for two courses, did you decline the wine or just not get offered it ? All the best to
you too Gary 🥂
A mate of mine used to be the "chef" there - he got the sack for getting drunk whilst working! The pub looks exactly the same as when I lived there - it was never one of my favourite pubs, but a nice setting down in the old Roman town - the lake is on the site of the original Roman cemetary. The museum is worth a look, as is the Abbey.
Thank you very much for the story and on my next visit. I will definitely take a look at your suggestions.
A lovely historic pub and good to see it is going strong still. The meal looked fine but it could have done with a bit more veg and gravy. Definitely should have had a Yorkshire pudding. We fill our plates up on Christmas day. I might have to try mash and turnip/swede again. My parents used to do this and I didn't like it, so they gave me mash on it's own. I only like parsnips in small doses also! I wouldn't eat them at all when younger. I do love Christmas pudding, but like you, can't find enough room for it after a Christmas dinner. Christmas pudding is so filling it can be used as a meal in itself. You can get them at a reduced price after Christmas, then eat them as a meal in Jan/Feb!
Nice summary Allan. Have a good Christmas!
Now then my verdict, 3 roast potatoes plenty but should be crispy, shouldn't be swede, should definitely be mash potatoes, but absolutely no yourkshire Gary, as a yorkshire lass yorkies served with beef 😊 that turkey crown looked delicious 😋
My christmas lunch
Turkey (proper turkey gravy)
Roast & mashed potatoes
Carrots, parsnips and stuffing
At least 3 pigs in blankets and loads of brussel sprouts.
Pudding looked devine and a nice portion 🎉 love your videos
Sue
Sounds like a great Christmas dinner Sue xx
Lived in St Albans for many years and was a regular here. Was perfect then even in the weekend nightly sessions. Food then even great so glad you enjoyed. Follow up round the corner in Brookmand Park near Welham Green at Miller and Carters. You will love it if you "Give it a go" 😂
Thanks for sharing. I've already given Miller and Carter a go!
Always watch to build an appetite 🎉
Good to hear Warren. Hope you're well mate.
Very well thanks Gary! Hope you have a fantastic Christmas and wonderful new year mate
Visited this pub a few years ago, as it was in my neck of the woods growing up. My fiancé and I only had drinks however and sat in the beer garden, we would like to return and try the food after watching this! First thing we commented was ‘where’s the Yorkshire?!’ We would like to recommend you a place where we live now in Witham, Essex. A lovely Spanish tapas restaurant on the high street, el Pulpo! Well worth checking out 🇪🇸
Thank you very much Craig. Added to the list 👍🏼
Good review as always Gary.I thought your vote out of 10 was fair as even though the food looked fine you only had a small portion of meat (Turkey) and too few roast potatoes on your plate for my tastes.I certainly agree that Yorkshire pudding would be a plus with what is basicaly a roast meal and i often have it with any roast.Once again your xmas pudding seemed fairly small but did look good.I would swap weather conditions with you if i could for a few days as today will be 35+C and last saturday was a horrendous 44C,summer this year will be tough as the worst is usually in February with the added high humidity
Thanks Paul :) that's obscenely hot mate.
I always have Yorkie pud with my Christmas dinner, wouldn't be the same without! The turkey looked very nice, I agree that there were not enough roast potatoes and stuffing (love stuffing). Interesting bit of history at the beginning, especially the bit about the monks and their pigeons. Really enjoyed watching this Gary - the hat suits you. Looking forward to seeing where you travel to next time! All the best Tania and Chirpy Pigeon.
You're more than welcome Tania. Has to be a Yorkshire on a Christmas dinner!
Gary your videos always put a smile on my face, thanks for doing them man!
You're more than welcome Andrew. All the best to you!
Gary yorkies all the way such a shame , you gave a very fair review as always . The meal was ok let down on the potatoes as well definitely not enough . They say eyes bigger than your belly . It was ok in size . Nice they gave you extra gravy no cost . The bill was an ok charge for what you got there . Thanks Gary overall as always a great honest review. Looking forward to your next one .❤️👏🤩🎄🎄🎄👍
Thanks Karen!! Have a great Christmas 👍
I may have to watch this again and count how many times you mention not having enough Roasties 🤣Fun VLOG
Lol certainly not as much as peppercorn sauce!
Feel like Yorkshire's are a must on Christmas day for me!!!
Oh yes!
I think you will find the oldest pub in Britain , is , Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem situated in the caves under Nottingham Castle.
Indeed. Hence the quotation on the title, they claim it is but I’ve heard it’s the one in Nottingham. Cheers.
Eh, yeah…. Nice place and sounds like nice staff. Can’t wait till the next one. 👍
No problem Philip. I understand you without you saying lol. All the best mate.
Yorkshire Pudding Gary you got in One ....Must Have ..Nice review as always... 👍👍👍
Thanks Roger!
Thanks Gary, i just love your videos and finally a food reviewer who speaks properly and does not use stupid slang words.
Just plain honest very useful reviews.
I appreciate that! Thank you 😊
Gary,your reviews are compulsive, always very enjoyable.
Thank you Mary!
Love how you take the time to reply to everyone’s comments
I try my best. It's not easy! Thank you :)
Hello Gary, I just love the cross over.Old & New.The history, the massive Wall mounted television 📺 and Cromwell's horse 🐴 The Christmas fayre looked a good mix. The carrots & parsnips, a bit thin& limp.Mashed swede a very nice change. Sprouts ( didn't see any bacon? only way my son will eat them😮) Stuffing a tiny bit sparse pigs in blankets could have stood another 10 minutes cooking.. Turkey, crown roast I think.Good thick slices. Two moans. Cranberry should be served off plate.Gravy self pour😢 Pudding time,standard catering individual Pudding, 👌. The cost ,maybe a couple of quid to high for one. As a package brilliant. Did CTP get a hat? & did you pull your cracker?😂All my very best wishes & thanks again for you both Allan&Family 😊 PS with a glass of wine, price would be spot on PPS.NO TO YORKSHIRE PUDDING !
Hi Allan. Have to say, love reading your analysis of the food. No problem regarding Yorkies!
We never have Yorkies on a Christmas dinner but each to their own if they do. Great stuff Gary.
Cheers Richard.
yes back in England with its standard weather, may be you should start the video with the signing in the rain song.
I thought some one had put a stick on the plate till i found out it was parsnip.
But there does not look like much veg. no cauli, broc YP. not even a spoon of peas.
Not sure were these people come up with ideas of a Christmas dinner
the Christmas pudding looks like one you can get for a £1
Fair comment David.
Dear Mr G....From the oldest/youngest/not so old/middle aged pub in the world. We used to serve dinosaurs !!! That's how old we are.......thank for your kind review and your admission that we failed to charge you for the extra gravy. Please send by post £4.75. We are sorry we overcooked the parsnips and undercooked the Roasties. Our chef is still learning and had to get back to nursery school. We did mention it to little Timmy and he apologised by giggling and blowing a snot bubble. We are pleased you enjoyed the massive stuffing ball and anaemic looking piggy-in-blankey. Thrilled you loved the pudding. It WAS a large portion made to look smaller by the tennis ball sized cranberries on top We are also 'grape' ful you didn't want the free wine…….more for us…’burrrrp’…….Happy Valentines day. 😊
Put more food on the plate !!!
These comments never fail to make me laugh. Piggy in blankey lol.
Hi Gary, there wasn't a lot of food on offer for the price mate although the quality looked ok, got to have plenty of gravy on hand, and yes, Yorkshire puddings as well. As for the pub, I believe Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham is the oldest pub in England.
Yes it is Kevin. I forgot to include the glass of wine in the price with the meal. Thanks mate.
LOOKS A LOVELY PUB FOOD NOT TO SHABBY ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO GARY (I ALWAYS USE UPPER CASE LETTERS AS I AM PARTIALLY SIGHTED SOME PEOPLE OBJECT SO I NEED TO EXPLAIN)HAVE A BRILLIANT CHRISTMAS AND ALL THE VERY BEST FOR NEW YEAR ❤
Not a problem Kevin. All the best and have a wonderful Christmas.
New to the channel and I am loving the videos. Original from Wales but now live in the states I miss the vibe of a good pub especially on a Sunday lunchtime. Yorkshire is a must for any roast dinner! Keep it up mate.
Thank you very much Ed. Much appreciated and all the best!
The Turkey and gravy looked really nice, but missing the Yorkshire pudding and from my POV, mashed potatoes. Both the parsnip and the carrot looked overdone to me, but I may be wrong as I often am. Three small roasties, a bit too skinny for the price, but they looked very nice. The brussel sprouts and the mashed suede, its not my cup of tea. Another fantastic honest and great review, mate! Keep up the fabulous work and always looking forward to your reviews, as you know. Have a wonderful rest of your day, Gary, will shoot you an email as soon as possible, sorry for the delay. 😊
No problem Frank. Take your time mate, hope everything is okay on your side. All the best.
Gary, I visit St Albans occasionally so will certainly visit. Knew the name straight away but had never been inside. Nice hat
Thank you Martin!
A couple of good slabs of turkey there, but perhaps the plate could have done with a little more colour. I realise that it is mostly about the taste, but the first bite is with the eye they say! A very fair review again, and I hope that keeping the hat on at least helped stop the rain running down your face..... Keep up the good work, and it is really appreciated by so many of us!
That's a fair assessment Dom. All the best my friend.
Evening Gary. Nice meal, but missing some key ingredients for a Christmas dinner potatoes are a must lol. 👍
Haha spot on Mark.
Rocking the green party hat, fella.😄
I think most of us are guilty of overloading our plates at times so having a meal that fills you perfectly without getting that awful food hangover is a nice feeling. This dinner looked decent enough but, as you said, some elements underdone, some overdone. The Christmas pudding looked like a lovely treat at the end - glad you had room in your belly for it!
Had enough room as the dinner wasn't too big. Thank you!
I love Hertfordshire, last time I was there was in: Harpenden!
I have been to the Olde Fighting Cocks one and was lovely food/drinks etc
Completely agree with your review esp the Xmas Pudding-I wonder if they will make it bigger in the future??
Another solid review 👍
"Ho ho ho let's give it a go!" That can be your catch phrase when you review Christmas meals! 😁
BTW I vote YES to Yorkshire puds with my Christmas dinner!!
Excellent Jeremy I will thank you
Well done on not getting gravy or cranberry sauce on your white jumper! Amazing feat especially in pub. Fair. score and yes you should always have a Yorkshire Pudding with Christmas Dinner!
Thank you Norman. It was a hard task!
Thank you for your fabulous review Gary! At this rate, I will get obese, trying out all your recommendations. Thank you Gary.
Any time!