As one might expect, at some point in the day, they do need to seek little refreshment, of either the liquid or more nourishing kind. I took advantage of a recent Freedom of Information request to have a look at what’s on offer. Their own website is not kept up to date so some of the information may be a little out of date, but as with all behemoths I suspect the wheels of power turn slowly so much will still be current.
Those entitled to use the on-site catering facilities (there are others off-site) are the 13,000 pass-holders, which includes Members of both Houses, their staff, House staff, civil servants, contractors’ staff, members of the Press Gallery etc., as well as members of the public and non-pass-holding visitors to Parliament. They have access to 4 table service restaurants, 3 self-service options, and 4 bars/lounges.
Food and drink menus are on a six weekly rotation and change on a daily basis. I’ve never been much of a person for either self-service or buffets myself, much preferring to be waited on hand and foot. So with this in mind, I have confined my observations to the Member’s Dining Room, the Strangers’ Dining Room and the Churchill Grill Room (although the actual menu says ‘Dining Room’).
It is well recorded that in return for all of their tireless toil MPs get to enjoy the benefits of subsidised dining and imbibing. Given the central London location, £17.35 for a fillet steak does seem like a bargain, and I wouldn’t have minded the seared sea bass on chive potato pancakes with roast shallot pureé and tomato dressing. This costs a mere £4.15, if eating in the Members’ Dining Room, but the same dish, I see is £6.90 if eaten in the Strangers’ Dining Room. Perks indeed. There are of course strict rules about who can eat where, and when.
What is interesting though is that from the three restaurant menus I was able to obtain they all offer the same ‘Wine Recommendations’, and at the same prices; so the moral must surely be ‘eat the same food and pay more, drink the same wine and pay the same’. Could this be a deliberate ploy to make our MPs drink more, no matter where they choose to eat?
The two recommendations on offer were:-
Pinot Grigio Boira Organic, Veneto, Italy 12%, 2011, £17 a bottle (£4.70 for 175ml.)
Côte du Rhône, Domaine de l‘Armandine, France, 13.5%, 2009, £15.50 (£3.90 for 175ml.)
They do at least offer the wines in 125ml. sizes, my preferred measure, which is now very difficult to obtain in pubs and restaurants although they are legally required to offer it.
The main wine list, which is fairly lengthy but not extensive, seems to be largely well chosen, with quite a number labelled under the House of Commons brand name, which makes it difficult to find out who the producer is, but they do provide useful raffle prizes for MPs doing the rounds of village fêtes and fund raisers.
Aside from the branded wines the champagne on offer is Lenoble Rosé Vintage Brut 2005, at £40.85, which given that it retails for £34.20 is a real bargain. However, I would have hoped that in the Churchill Grill Room at least they would offer Pol Roger, known to be the British Bulldog’s favourite marque.
It may be of interest to readers to note that since the coalition was formed the House of Commons has bought in more than 25,000 bottles of champagne, totalling £275,221. In 2010 champagne purchases totalled 4,691 bottles, rising by 72% to 8,082 in 2013. Clearly they like a drop of the good stuff, as an ardent champagne lover myself it would be hypocritical of me to make adverse comment.
Finally, also on offer is Mâcon-Lugny « Les Genièvres », an excellent Burgundy, from one of the top vineyards in the Mâconnais region. Made from 100% Chardonnay, it is described as opulent, rich, with a flowery bouquet and lovely honey, apple and nutty flavours on the palate, Tony Blair apparently celebrated his election victory with a glass. Available for us mere mortals to buy at Tanners, the 2012 will set you back just £12.70.
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