My partner loves a lunch-time glass of wine in “The Goose”:http://www.goosewalthamstow.co.uk/find-us/ whilst reading the Telegraph or watching a bit of the Test Match on the big screens. It’s not usually busy and, at a large table, he can spread out hisTelegraph, read to his heart’s content whilst keeping his eye on Joe Root.
Occasionally I disturb his peace and quiet and call in. Tuesday was a miserable day weather wise, I’d hiked to the doctors and back and so I fancied a spontaneous lunch. The pub is part of the Stonegate Pub Company and the “menu”:http://www.goosewalthamstow.co.uk/resource/binary//9329ec24928135102655f8e49a143624/1TRA18307PPGTP1PhotoMainMenu-BandG9.pdf boasts typical cheap pub grub with lots of deals including my favourite: two meals for £9.99 which I consider pretty good value.
Roy’s steak and ale pie, which came with chips and peas had been cut from a huge pie and, whereas I’d have been happy to get the corner piece with all the extra delicious short crust pastry, it was a bit much for him. I had lasagne with salad and garlic bread, and whilst I won’t fib and say it was the best I’ve ever eaten, my plate was clean and I had a smile on my face (you need to bear in mind, lasagne is my ‘death row meal’ and I am an officiando).
Whilst I do like a bottle of Brancot New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, I resent paying restaurant prices for it but in the Goose it comes within my acceptable limit of £15 and so we indulged.
There’s lots of other deals including a burger and a drink for £7.49, sharing platters, vegetarian options and healthy meals with the calorie count shown.
The large imposing building is directly opposite Walthamstow Central tube station. It serves “breakfast”:http://www.goosewalthamstow.co.uk/resource/binary//1e8d8c758a7e6b81f2cae7c84c394baa/1TRA18384ProperPubs-FULLBreakfastMenuA54pp-Band3.pdf from 8am and does a good trade with those staying at the nearby Travel Lodge. One day, I called in just before they’d finished serving breakfast at noon and had coffee and a bacon sandwich for £2.29 – I’d pay more than that for a Costa coffee.
Whilst I’m happy to visit during the day, I suspect it’s one of those places that transforms in the evening into the type of loud, raucous venue I hate.
When our plates were being cleared away, the helpful friendly Christine said we were the first to be given the “Christmas Menu”:http://www.goosewalthamstow.co.uk/resource/binary//04e5bd213667938f730f9868b31e82b7/1TRA19819ProperPubs-GTPLocals-XmasDL-2CourseBuffetForms4pp-Band3.pdf (two courses for £9.49). Bearing in mind, we’re flying to India on Christmas Day, we thought we might indulge at some point in the festive season, just in case British Airways don’t provide me with a turkey dinner.
