I don’t know about you, but this weather has me knee deep in comfort food. You’d think after the indulgence of the festive season I might be more interested in salads and stir fries – but no. Porridge at breakfast to warm me up, and other meals are heavy on the orzo or risottos, soupy noodles (ramen, pho or laksa, I’m not picky), stews and casseroles.
When it comes to dining out, there’s one place that keeps drawing me back. Their theme really is all about comfort. I’ve stopped in for a pre-event feed more than once this year as it’s so easy to dine there both solo and with company, and when planning an evening out, my mind is automatically asking the question, ‘Cardinal Rule for dinner?’.
If you haven’t visited yet, allow me to explain. Cardinal Rule operate out of the kitchen in the Northern Monk Refectory on Tariff Street in the Northern Quarter. They offer American style biscuits – so to be clear, nothing to do with a custard cream, or a cookie. An American style biscuit. Think savoury scone but with a crisp outer and inner flakiness that makes it entirely it’s own.
At Cardinal Rule, they’re served with fried chicken (slathered in hot honey, pimento cheese, bacon, spicy mayo and pickles depending on your preference), topped fries, and sides including a delightful potato salad. Of course, veggie/vegan options are available. And if you’re lucky enough to head in for brunch on a weekend you can choose from biscuits and gravy, bacon and eggs on a biscuit, eggs benedict featuring biscuits (you get the theme here), tacos or even sweet options like apple pie made with the same buttery pastry as the biscuits, or sweet blueberry biscuits.
Are they good? In short absofuckinglutely. This is what keeps me going back for more. I’ve attempted biscuits and gravy at home, and whilst my gravy is great, my biscuits are… Well they’re OK. They are not up to this standard. And whilst part of me wants them to be, the other part doesn’t because they don’t need to be when I can just pop into town and get them made for me instead.
That said, I will admit finding out I can buy them frozen from Cardinal Rule is a revelation and I’m currently attempting to clear a freezer drawer for them and them alone.
On my first visit, I dove into the The Hometown. Fried chicken breast, with a thick slathering of pimento cheese, bread and butter pickles. I’ll admit it’s one I keep going back to, but the Miss Honey with chipotle mayo, and spiced honey is a close second. I sampled the festive offering as well, whilst dining with a friend over Christmas, alongside a serving of topped fries (the star was definitely the sandwich).
Add in a delicious pint (or half or whatever) from the taps in Northern Monk and you’ve got something that really keeps me going back for more. I’d definitely recommend something with a sharper edge to cut through the buttery nature of the biscuits, so something with a juicy or hoppy nature. Or do like we did on our last visit and try Schofferhoffer with a shot of something (Tequila and gin respectively in our case).
I’m hoping that Northern Monk keep Cardinal Rule in the kitchen for a long time, because I’m going to need more biscuits. Anyone fancy brunch?