Description: On a positively ugly afternoon in Brisbane, James came into the CBD to meet me for lunch. We didn’t particularly want to walk very far, especially since our umbrella couldn’t cover both of us at the same time. So, we wandered down Charlotte Street—two blocks east of Queen Street—until something struck our fancy. That something ended up being Union Jack’s British pub, and what irony in the fact that the ominous low clouds were sprinkling rain in a very British fashion as we went in!
The place really did remind me of a British pub—any light that may have been filtering in the door quickly disappeared about a meter inside, absorbed by the dark décor. Everything is a dark brown, yet not in an ugly way—just enough to make me wonder that if I stepped outside, would I be back in Lincolnshire?
When you first walk in, there are plenty of tables around the central bar. We sat down here and grabbed a menu off the bar, but soon realized that the actual restaurant area was up a short set of stairs in the back of the room. We were quickly seated, since the waiter wasn’t all that busy, with only one other set of diners to look after. We ordered immediately, having already perused the menu and having a time limit on our dining. James attempted to order a XXXX, which was surprisingly not on tap (possibly the only place in Brisbane where this is the case). Other Aussie beers were, but the lines were empty due to the fact that the Socceroos had played Brazil in the World Cup a couple days before. He ended up making a very good choice and going for the pot of Newcastle Brown.
I was a little dubious when I ordered about how the roast beef and Yorkshire pudding would stack up to my grandmother’s, but I went for it anyway, since I was a lot more dubious about ordering haggis in Australia. James went for the full English breakfast. The meals came out very quickly, and James definitely won in the size department—he had a massive plate covered in 2 fried eggs, sausages, heaps of bacon, and baked beans, among other things. He was definitely full by the end, but very content as well. I enjoyed my roast beef as well—while it didn’t look big on the plate, there was still plenty there. The meat was nice and tender and the gravy just thick enough. This sat on top of a pile of vegetables which I didn’t mind eating (doesn’t normally happen), since they were all dripping in gravy. The Yorkshire pud sat on top, absolutely drenched in gravy. I normally have it with some gravy, but not quite that much, but it was still quite good and definitely authentic pudding.
I know “authentic British cooking” isn’t tops on people’s food wish list, but I definitely think Union Jack’s is worth a stop.
Close