The Sanctuary

Again, this is a review for SMOAK rather than the Sanctuary itself.
Unfortunately this place and I didn’t gel. Part of it is my personal preferences, but some are definitely down to the place itself.
I’ve realized that pulled pork, and possibly street food in general, doesn’t really work for me. As good as the food here was, I just didn’t find that much that was better, or even different from other places selling this stuff. Yeah, the buns were fantastic, the chips were good and the garnish to the bun good, but it was pulled pork (the brisket wasn’t ready) and it just tastes the same as pulled pork you get anywhere else, and I’m not really rushing out to have it all the time.
On top of that, the whole dining experience felt a little depressing. You’re penned in a beer garden with a brick wall on one side and a car park/​bin store on the other. As its outside folk can smoke which is a little off putting as well.
SMOAK are popping up all over the place, and I have a feeling that I would get on better with their Variety Bar franchise. I actually want to spend time there, and I’m sure I’d pick up some food if I was having a few drinks. I may not go out my way just to have the food, but I wouldn’t complain if it was my only option on a night out. The Sanctuary location definitely isn’t for me though.

The SMOAK food is phenomenal to say the least, I’ve mainly had the pulled pork burger because its so good, on its own and when they’ve been catering parties in the club and it is out of this world, the flavour, the meat.
I need to get down again and try the brisket and corn, love me some corn on the cob !!

Review is again for SMOAK and not the hole that is the Sanctuary — honestly worst club/​bar/​rip off place I’ve ever been to in my short (ahem) life.
I visited on a very hungover Saturday afternoon, desperately seeking buns… brioche buns. I opted for a venison hotdog served on a brioche bun with a side helping of gravy (delicious) as well as gruyère laiden, gravy riding, french fries. Honestly, my taste buds may have been slightly abused the night before from all of the prosecco I consumed but they soon perked up with this comfort food taste of heaven. Devine.
However, the location is SOOOOOOO wrong. Bare tables and wooden benches, and walk through a nightclub to get to it and dark, dank area. PLEASE SMOAK, move to a venue where folk can truly enjoy your gorgeous food without associating with this place.
OKAY rant over, enjoy Smoak, perhaps go to the Variety if they have the same menu.

OK so I need to start off by saying this is for Smoak at the Sanctuary and NOT the night club part of the business.
We were very pleasantly surprised with the visit we made, I will admit I went in with some big reservations as I had been put off by the former occupier of the premises and the crowd it had gathered. This seems to have been rectified as far as the early evening food offerings.
We decided on the smoked pulled pork bun and a smoked Aberdeen brisket served with slaw and pickles in a brioche bun with dip. The meat was slow smoked keeping it melt in the mouth and juicy. This is what BBQ should be. The sides we went with were white truffle mac and cheese with brioche crumble, BBQ Beans with smoked Hock of Ham. Both of these were exquisitely cooked and complimented the meal perfectly.
The only things I wasn’t overly pleased with was the location and situation and availability, we sat in the covered outside area and it felt half finished, rough cut wooden tables just asking for splinters to catch you when you least expect it and the seating was filthy. Inside was dark and uninviting which was a big put off. Finally the limited times they are open makes it very hard to get in and enjoy the great food. They advertise they open Friday — Sunday 12 –8pm which is very limiting.
Overall the food carried this place through and I will be back to sample more. It is a great place to share sides with friends and enjoy a good bit of BBQ.