Although largely overshadowed by the hip student hangout of New Cross, Brockley possesses its own trendy retreat in the form of Jam Circus. Despite only being a five minute bus ride from New Cross, there are no pub-cum-club nights or ultra-loud electro indie bands on show. This oddly named pub instead opts for good food in a cool, cafe-like environment.

The Venue
An unkempt cemetery and rows of old worn out buildings – Brockley Road does not seem like the setting for a stylish pub like Jam Circus. From the front it manages to stand out with its blood-red paint strewn across the exterior and its ceiling-high wall of glass.

Inside beholds a very mixed decor representative of an aging house. The bar area is wickedly dark with a chandelier hovering above the entrance. The floorboards and the bar itself have a gloomy shade of paint, but the oak-coloured tables, leather chairs and tall lamps provide a restful atmosphere. The dining area at the back stands on a chequered linoleum-style floor, surrounded by red walls and several unusually shaped mirrors. One side of the room is bare revealing a grey brick wall that has been speckled with fairy lights. Like an old kitchen, there are also exposed diminutive light bulbs hanging above the timber dining furniture and cushioned seats, which line the walls. From the dining area there is a narrow entrance to a weakly lit living area with dark coloured carpet and wallpaper with naff designs. Oddly enough, the out of place, out of fashion interior decoration works and further characterises the feel of an old house.

The Atmosphere
Upon taking even a casual glance at the food menu you would think that it was Jam Circus’s main appeal – and it should be – but most punters can be found enjoying a pint or a cocktail with some light snacks. As there are many students living in Brockley it is likely that you will see a few looking for a quiet alternative to the pubs in New Cross. On the whole, the clientele range from mid twenties to late thirties but the more mature would not look out of place here, and on weekends you can expect families to come lunch here as there are special menus for children.

The staff are attentive, friendly and not afraid to strike up a conversation, which ensures that there is a contented ambience amongst the customers.

The Food
The food is extremely filling and most mains are about £8. In the evening starters and light bites range from £2.50-£4.50. The sliced honey mustard sausages - the most expensive of the light bites - are ideal if you’re not quite hungry enough for the 8oz sirloin steak with potato wedges and pan fried cherry tomatoes. If you’ve just come in from the cold then the butternut squash soup, with its creamy texture and sweet yet spicy flavour is a great way to start your dinner at £3.80. A small container of butter and a few wedges of a baguette compliment the soup.

The giant steak and landlord ale pie comes with a choice of mash, chips or salad and is served in a ceramic pot for £8.50. Huge chunks of juicy steak are soaked in the hot ale broth, which is mixed with carrots and mushrooms providing a mildly bitter yet wholly enjoyable and comforting sensation. Vegetarians will enjoy the feta and pear salad with toasted pine nuts and fresh beetroot or the Caribbean chickpea and potato curry with rice and chutney, both priced at a very reasonable £7. The chickpea and potato curry is a flavoursome and remarkably filling dish. The curry itself encircles the rice, which is presented in a neat mound with a small splodge of spicy chutney on top and will certainly leave a lasting impression on your aromatic senses. There are also homemade beef burgers, a jerk-spiced chicken burger and for vegetarians a falafel burger, all served with chips and range in price from £7 to £8.50.

Daytime menus focus mainly on the burgers and sandwiches and on Sundays there are a choice of traditional roasts such as leg of lamb, chicken, beef or vegetable pie served with all the trimmings and gravy, sensibly priced at £9.50. For dessert there is the pear and chocolate crumble with vanilla ice cream for £4.50. Garnished with a mint leaf and served in a compact stoneware jar, a scoop of vanilla ice cream balances on the crunchy shell. Pressing your spoon into the shell will reveal a hot decadent chocolate sauce and small slices of pear, wonderfully rounding off your meal. There is also the Belgian waffle served with maple syrup and ice cream for £4 or if you just want ice cream on its own they have vanilla, strawberry and chocolate for £3.50 each.

The Drink
Behind the bar is a vast wooden wine rack holding mostly 2005 and 2006 wines from France and Italy. Small glasses cost £3-£4, and a bottle is about £13.50. Jam Circus also do a range of cocktails for £5.50 each. Maple Leaf, a sugar-free alternative to the popular Whiskey Sour is a wise choice for those who want to stay away from the calories. They also do classics such as Bloody Mary, Cosmopolitan, Mojito and Long Island Iced Tea.

Beers are well priced at £2.90-£3.20, and include old favourites such as Carling, Guinness and Heineken as well as Timothy Taylor Ale and Stowford Press cider. Kept in the fridge are a selection of choice beers such as Innis and Gunn and the Belgian fruit beer, Früli.

The Last Word
If you want a gentle evening with a warm comforting meal and a cocktail, all for a decent price, you will find it here. Jam Circus shows there is more to South East London than New Cross and Greenwich, and despite its modish appearance this is a place aimed more at locals and families than young trendy students.

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