Broadfield Ale House, Sheffield

My oh my what a grand place this is. Only a handfull of years ago The Broadfield was one of the most notorious pubs in Sheffield. All manner of nefarious goings-on went on, mostly in the snugs and the back yard. But let’s draw a veil over all that because today it’s a very different kettle of fish. Well, not so much fish as pies. More of which later. While they had to hose the dealers out they’ve retained the feel of an old city pub – scrubbed oak floors, stained glass windows, original light fittings and mirrors and sepia photos of Sheffield past. And added some of the best beers in the county and terrific food. Oh, and audaciously bearded, check-shirted hipster bar staff. If they weren’t pulling pints of Abbeydale Moonshine they’d be felling trees in Nova Scotia.

As we often comment, it’s rare we walk into a place and want to work our way through the menu. Given a month I would happily take up residence and do just that. Check this out: slow beer braised brisket with colcannon mash, braised red cabbage and horseradish cream for a tenner, or whole maple glazed ham hock, roasted root veg & hand cut chips for 50p more. They make the sausages and pies in house and I’m pleased to report that the steak, ale and mushroom pie is the best I’ve had all year. Strike that. In the last two or three years. Ok, ever. Perfect pastry, meltingly tender beef and gravy you could drink from a cup. And fat chips and mushy peas of course. All this and a bottle of Hendersons Relish on the table. So if you don’t hear from me for a while, chances are you’ll find me in one of the cosy old booths in the back room of the Broadfield Ale House with a pint, a plate of apple & sage sausages and the Sheffield Star, hoping to spot local Richard Hawley.