Monday 12 August (aka the Glorious Twelfth) will see the re-commencement of the red grouse shooting season across England and Scotland with the game returning to the menu on London's restaurants once the first day’s shoot is over. From estate to plate, we have a comprehensive list of where to dine on the best birds in London, whichever style you fancy - classic or contemporary.
45 Jermyn St
45 Jermyn St., London SW1 6DN
Right next to Fortnum's (and owned by them too), this restaurant serving British classics will be adding grouse in three styles.
What's on the menu: First up, Grouse Broth and Liver Parfait en Bric, poured tableside. Next - Roasted Young Grouse served alongside game chips and creamy bread sauce. Or alternatively the handcrafted Grouse & Foie Gras Pie, with breast of game cooked with foie gras and encased in thick, glazed pastry. Yes, ALL the grouse.
When: From 15 August to mid-October
Find out more about 45 Jermyn St
Baluchi at the LaLit
181 Tooley Street, London SE1 2JR
This pan-Indian restaurant near to Tower Bridge is launching a special set menu for game season.
What's on the menu: A six course game tasting menu - with the grouse dish served with black cabbage poriyal, tandoori turnip, and blackberry and moilee sauce. There's also a masala game mince puff pastry pie, and clove smoked partridge marinated with black spice. The menu is £65 per person.
When: From 12 August
Cinnamon Club
The Old Westminster Library, Great Smith St, Westminster, London SW1P 3BU
This is the Westminster outpost for Vivek Singh's Indian restaurant.
What's on the menu: Tandoori grouse breast, served with stir-fried leg mince and spiced pumpkin chutney (£40).
When: From 14 August
Find out more about The Cinnamon Club
Club Gascon
57 West Smithfield, London EC1A 9DS
Classic French dining in the City from Pascal Aussignac.
What's on the menu: Barbecued grouse with fermented fig chutney, hibiscus lacquer and celeriac, which will be available on the restaurant’s á la carte menu.
When: From 13 August to the end of the month.
Also: A special game tasting menu at St Bartholomew-the-Great on 27 September at £80 (email info@clubgascon.com to book)
Find out more about Club Gascon
The Game Bird
The Stafford Hotel, 16-18 St James’s Place, London SW1A 1NJ
This Mayfair restaurant is in the Stafford hotel with Ben Tish looking after the menu. Look for a lot more new game dishes on the menu (the name gives it away). .
What's on the menu: Classic roast grouse - with game chips, bread sauce, watercress (price dependant on the birds).
When: From 13 August
Find out more about The Game Bird
The Jugged Hare
49 Chiswell St, London EC1Y 4SA
As the name suggests, this City pub prides itself on its close links with game producers.
What's on the menu: It's a classic serve here - whole roasted Yorkshire red grouse with Savoy cabbage and bacon, grouse liver paté en croute, game chips, bread sauce and game jus. The price varies according to bird availability.
When: From 12 August
Find out more about The Jugged Hare
Mac and Wild
65 Great Titchfield Street, London W1W 7PS and 9A Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4YN
These Scottish restaurants always have some game on the menu and will be rushing the birds to the table on the 12th.
What's on the menu: Wild Highland Grouse, presented on a bed of burning wild heathers (£29), so expect a little theatre with this one.
When: From 12 August
Find out more about Mac and Wild
Native
32 Southwark St, London SE1 1TU
The London Bridge restaurant from co-founders Ivan Tisdall Downes and Imogen Davis will be launching a game heavy menu for The Glorious Twelfth including dishes such as Buttermilk fried Grouse, Pigeon Tacos and Wild Mallard.
When: From 12 August
Quo Vadis
26-29 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 3LL
Jeremy Lee's Soho home has a regularly-changing menu that will be adding grouse in August.
What's on the menu: A whole bird, roasted, served with game crisps, redcurrant jelly and "ethereal" bread sauce.
When: From 15 August
Rex Whistler at the Tate
Tate Britain Art Gallery, Milbank, London SW1P 4JU
The Tate Britain's restaurant's grouse is supplied by Farmisons, from the moorlands and valleys of the Yorkshire Dales.
What's on the menu: Traditional roast grouse, game chips, red currants, bread sauce, cabbage, poivrade sauce - £28
When: From 13 August
Find out more about Rex Whistler
Wiltons
55 Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6LX
Wiltons is one of the London restaurants that aims to get grouse on the table as soon as possible on the 12th. They'll be shot in the morning, then brought back to London where Wiltons’ head chef, Daniel Kent and his team will have them served up by 8pm.
What's on the menu: Grouse roasted and stuffed with fresh watercress, a paté made with the grouse livers and serve on a crouton next to the roasted bird, bacon, bread sauce, fried bread-crumbs, home-made redcurrant jelly, a rich grouse jus and traditional game chips.
When: From 12 August
Also look for...
- On Thursday 29 August, Lorne is celebrating the start of Game Season with an exclusive dinner. The evening will consist of a six-course tasting menu priced at £60 per person, showcasing the very best of British game. The grouse dish will be new season grouse, leg pasty, celeriac and pickled elderberries (pictured above). There will also be a wine pairing flight available chosen by sommeliers Charlotte & Alice.
- On the 12th itself, Sally Abé and Calum Franklin are teaming up at the Harwood Arms for a special grouse dinner, including "First Grouse with a Wild Mushroom & Truffle Pie and Pontack Sauce". The menu's only available on the 12th and you can book on 020 7386 1847.
- 10 Greek Street will be serving grouse, but you'll have to wait until September until you see them on the menu as Head Chef and co-owner Cameron Emirali waits until the birds have matured.
- Over in Farringdon, Quality Chop House will have grouse on from The Glorious Twelfth - their dish will be Roast Yorkshire grouse with liver parfait on dripping toast, game pie, bread sauce, game chips and plum jam.
- At Launceston Place, Ben Murphy will be serving Grouse with salsify, muscat and cocoa from the end of the month.
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