We’re all about making and having plans, and heading to The Jackson Plan for dinner seemed as good a plan as any. Having been to this British gastropub on several occasions for a tipple too many (they have a mean happy hour), we figured it was high time we conquered the food menu as well. Occupying what once was Uluru Aussie Bar & Steakhouse in hotspot-of-the-moment Duxton Hill, there’s a nice, buzzing patio out front that we’re partial to; but the dining room leaves us feeling a little cold. We dug our heels in with the ploughman’s platter ($15.80) and spiced carrot soup ($8). The former was a disappointing plate of cold meats—tough slices of beef, lamb and pork—although the apple chutney and mint jelly went some way to making them more palatable. We enjoyed the flavor of the carrot soup, with a hint of cardamom that made the sweetness more balanced, but found the coarse, lumpy texture a little disconcerting. The cauliflower fritters ($8) from the menu of bar nibbles called out to us, and turned out to be a wise choice. The crisp, battered cauliflower florets were good all on their own, but proved downright addictive after being dipped into the accompanying curry mayonnaise. The cider-braised Berkshire pork cheek ($24.80) however, although of very generous portions, wasn’t quite enough to win us over, and in all honesty, we’ve had better renditions of black pudding and smashed peas. Service, while earnest, was slow, despite the fact that the dining room was mostly empty (there was only one other occupied table). The Jackson Plan is still a great spot for drinks; there’s a fab happy hour deal (all housepours are just $5 from 5-8pm), but next time we’ll stick to bar bites, or have a Plan B for dinner.
