For top-notch gastropub food in a relaxed setting, The Salusbury is a Queen's Park institution and NW6's destination of choice for a Sunday Roast.

The Venue
The Salusbury is perfectly situated on the main drag of Queens Park - Salusbury Road - just up from Queen's Park tube station. As it says on the tin, the Salusbury has two halves; the pub and the dining room. The two areas share the same menu but have a very different feel. The pub has chunky old scrubbed wooden tables to match the chunky wooden bar. The dining room is more formal with smaller tables and careful place settings including wine glasses and white linen napkins. There are also picnic tables outside on the pavement under an awning, where smokers tend to congregate come rain or shine.

The Atmosphere
The atmosphere at the Salusbury is always friendly but it's a very different venue depending on when you go. On Thursday and Friday nights it's packed and buzzing, filled with groups of locals letting their hair down after the working week. For Saturday and Sunday lunch, it's mellow and family friendly, with cruisey music and small groups taking their time over their meals.

The Food
The Salusbury serves hearty gastropub fare of the highest quality. The menu doesn't change that often, but it's extensive enough that this doesn't matter too much. The menu is also quite flexible with many dishes coming in half and full-size portions so you can order them either as a main or an entree. It's worth noting that the half-size portions of pasta and risotto are generous enough to enjoy as a main course.

The quality of the dishes won’t disappoint, either. The pumpkin risotto is sweet and creamy with just the right amount of parmesan. The parpadelle with duck ragu comes in a rich, gamey savoury sauce with moist morsels of duck. The slow roasted pork belly is meaty and tender, served on a bed of creamy mash with crisp, bright green broccoli. The dessert menu is short, perhaps suggesting that not many diners have space for pudding after a hearty main course. The small selection features some treats though – a rich, velvety warm chocolate fondant pudding (90 per cent melting middle and 10 per cent outer shell) and a generous slab of light and fluffy tiramisu. Main courses are around the £10-£15 mark.

The Drink
The Salusbury has a very extensive wine list, featuring wines from across the globe. A wide selection of wine is available by the glass as well. A tart young Chianti does a fine job of cutting through the rich sauce of the duck ragu. There are also a good range of beers on tap and in bottles – whether you’re bent is towards English ales, wheat beer or European beers, you will find something to take your fancy.

The Last Word
The Salusbury is what gastropubs are all about – generous helpings of excellent food in an atmosphere that's relaxed and friendly. Head over there for a Sunday Roast that's guaranteed to brighten up a rainy weekend.

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