The Jobber’s Rest, Upminster

As you should all know by now, I’m a huge fan of eating out, and I’m an even bigger fan of when new eateries open up close to home so I don’t have to travel too far for food! So you can imagine how happy I was when it was announced that Raymond Blanc would be opening up in Upminster. He had bought a dingy old pub, that locals often avoided, and was bringing good food and decor to a pace that really needed it! The Jobber’s Rest has had many owners, but nothing as exciting as this!

We were invited along to the preview meals and were blown away with the changes The White Brasserie Company had made in such a short amount of time. The decor was a quirky country pub, which for me, is currently my favourite style of decor. It would be how I’d decorate my own living room when we move!

The service was second to none and after chatting to some of the staff they were mostly local so that’s such a great thing for Upminster! New companies generating jobs is always a good sign!

The menu, I feel, is something that the area was crying out for.  There is an abundance of restaurants in Upminster, but nothing of this slightly higher quality. Somewhere, I’d say, to celebrate an occasion.

We decided to skip starter and go straight into the mains.

My choice won’t be much of a surprise as scallops are the key to my heart; King scallops Provençale served on a bed chargrilled courgette with a side of sautéed potatoes, Padron peppers, cherry tomato sauce, and a deep-fried herb crumb. If licking the plate clean was anything to go by, then it was bloody good! For me, I’d of liked slightly more potatoes and peppers as I was left feeling a little hungry after.

Being a Sunday Mike went in for the full beef roast dinner, and he had a mammoth portion that he devoured every last morsel of! I loved that there was red cabbage on the plate as that’s not often an option on roast dinners out.

We did go for dessert as I wanted a little more food…

The Chocolate Delice consisting of crispy feuillantine base, velvety chocolate mousse, with panacotta cream with Kirsch, topped with hazelnuts went down a right treat. It topped me up to that happy full feeling we all love.

Mike had the Pistachio soufflé with their famously light with rich chocolate ice cream, and didn’t leave even the smallest amount.

So it’s quite safe to say we enjoyed our experience thoroughly.

We also took back both sets of parents and Mike’s brother for an early Mother’s Day treat and they were all extremely happy with all that we ate!