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In London, few dishes seize town’s working-class roots fairly like pie and mash. Born within the nineteenth century as an reasonably priced, filling meal for dockworkers and market distributors, this hearty mixture of flaky meat pie, creamy mashed potatoes, and a ladle of parsley-speckled gravy is each consolation meals and a slice of historical past.
In the present day, you’ll discover it served in conventional pie retailers with tiled partitions and no-frills appeal, in addition to reinvented in trendy eating places that give this traditional dish a connoisseur twist. Whether or not you’re after nostalgia or novelty, pie and mash deserve a second within the highlight on a London meals tour.
What Is Pie and Mash?
Picture credit score: Wikimedia Commons licensed underneath Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported
Pie and mash is a beloved East Finish traditional that has fed Londoners for generations. Its roots date again to the nineteenth century, when this humble but hearty dish was historically a minced beef pie with a flaky crust. Often served alongside a beneficiant scoop of creamy mashed potatoes and a ladle of shiny inexperienced parsley “liquor” produced from eel inventory or vegetable broth. Regardless of the title, there’s no alcohol concerned.
Its roots lie within the metropolis’s unique eel and pie homes, the place working-class locals may take pleasure in an inexpensive, filling meal, typically with jellied or stewed eels on the facet. To this present day, many family-run pie retailers nonetheless serve it in eating rooms with the identical tiled interiors. A dish with a easy presentation, and a splash of malt or chili vinegar for that genuine London contact.
The place to Eat Pie and Mash in London
In London, you’ll discover pie and mash served all over the place from small retailers and pubs to correct sit-down eating places, the place it’s served alongside different nice British meals.
M. Manze
Picture credit score: M. Manze
Manze, close to Tower Bridge, is London’s oldest surviving pie and mash store. Established in 1902, the store nonetheless boasts its unique tiled partitions, picket benches, and a menu that has barely modified in over a century. That is one in every of my favourite locations to go once I need to discover the true classics. Â
The pie and mash right here is the way you’d count on it. Completely minced beef pies with golden pastry, creamy mash, and a ladle of signature parsley liquor. You’ll be able to even get jellied or stewed eels for the total East Finish expertise. Costs are refreshingly cheap, making it a should for historical past buffs and foodies alike.
Manze (ÂŁ) – 87 Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 4TW, United Kingdom.Â
Goddards at Greenwich
Picture credit score: Goddards at Greenwich
For a barely extra elevated tackle pie and mash, Goddards at Greenwich provides each historical past and selection. This household enterprise dates again to 1890 and immediately serves not solely the traditional minced beef pie but in addition hen, steak, lamb, and vegetarian variations. All made contemporary every day with high-quality elements.
I like how the spacious eating room, with its picket beams and welcoming vibe, feels extra like a café than a pie store. But the costs stay comfortably mid-range. It’s the right cease after a day exploring Greenwich’s historic market or riverside views.
Goddards at Greenwich (££) – 22 King William Stroll, London SE10 9HU, United Kingdom.
The Windmill
Picture credit score: The Windmill
I believe the Windmill in Mayfair is the place to go if you happen to’re after pie and mash with a gastropub twist. Identified for its award-winning pies, this upscale pub provides hearty beef variations alongside connoisseur fillings like hen, leek, and even truffle. All served with buttery mash and wealthy gravy.
The ambiance is heat and stylish with out feeling stuffy, and costs hover across the £15–£20 mark for a fundamental. It’s an effective way to take pleasure in a British traditional in a central London setting. I additionally suppose the savory profile of their pie is completely paired with a pint of darkish ale.
The Windmill (££) – 6-8 Mill St, London W1S 2AZ, United Kingdom.
Past the Pie: What to Attempt With It
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Whereas the pie and mash take middle stage, the normal sides and condiments full the expertise. In fact, the traditional accompaniment is liquor sauce, which is a silky parsley-based topping with no alcohol, and a contemporary, savory word that enhances the wealthy beef filling.
For the actually genuine East Finish contact, many retailers nonetheless serve stewed or jellied eels. This can be a historic pairing that’s not for everybody, but stays a degree of pleasure for traditionalists.
On each desk, you’ll discover bottles of malt vinegar and fiery chili vinegar. Each assist prepared to chop via the richness with a pointy tang or spicy kick. I wish to go a bit of heavier on the chili vinegar within the cooler months to actually punch up the warming impact of the pie and mash.
To drink, a powerful builder’s tea retains issues old-school, whereas some trendy spots supply native ales for a heartier pairing. I discover that darkish ale actually hits the spot with a beef pie and mash.
Why Pie and Mash Is Extra Than Only a Meal
In London, pie and mash is excess of a plate of consolation meals. It’s a slice of England’s cultural heritage. Deeply tied to Cockney identification and East Finish pleasure, it carries with it tales of generations who grew up on its easy, hearty flavors.
Many native retailers serving it immediately are nonetheless family-run, their tiled interiors and well-worn counters unchanged for many years. Providing you a uncommon glimpse right into a London that’s slowly disappearing.
Don’t take into consideration pie and mash in a tremendous eating context or in sizzling pursuit of the most recent culinary developments. As a substitute, pie and mash is about familiarity, heat, and the type of meals that looks like house. Every chunk is a reminder that some traditions are price holding onto, not for his or her class, however for the historical past and belly-filling goodness.Â
Remaining Ideas: The Humble Basic That’s Pure London
Pie and mash is a humble traditional that captures the soul of London within the easiest, most satisfying means. It’s a time capsule on a plate. Hearty, unfussy, and steeped in flavorful historical past. But nonetheless as comforting immediately because it was within the nineteenth century.
Whether or not you’re weaving via East London’s historic streets by yourself or as a part of a London meals tour, pie and mash is a type of iconic dishes that fills you up proper.
Sources:
Goddards at Greenwich. (n.d.). Goddards at Greenwich. https://www.goddardsatgreenwich.co.uk/
Manze. (n.d.). M. Manze. http://www.manze.co.uk/
The Windmill Mayfair. (n.d.). The Windmill Mayfair. https://www.windmillmayfair.co.uk/
Consuming Europe. (n.d.). London meals excursions. Consuming Europe. https://www.eatingeurope.com/london/
Consuming Europe. (2022, Could 9). Conventional London meals: 18 dishes it’s important to attempt. Consuming Europe. https://www.eatingeurope.com/weblog/london-foods-traditional/
