Wednesday 12 August (aka the Glorious Twelfth) will see the re-commencement of the (socially distanced) red grouse shooting season across England and Scotland and that means game will be returning to London's restaurants once the first day’s shoot is over. Here's where you'll be able to find it in London.
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: Delicately spiced clove-smoked grouse breast, ‘Tawa tak-a-tak’ game and mushroom keema, served with creamy black lentils (£32)
When: From 21 August
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 overseeing things as Culinary Director. Look for a lot more new game dishes on the menu (the name gives it away).
What's on the menu: Traditional grouse with game chips, bread sauce, cranberry sauce, Pâté en Croûte and watercress
When: From 12 August
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. The restaurant is actually reopening on 12 August itself.
What's on the menu: Grouse with the traditional trimmings, not to mention more game dishes like venison scotch egg, confit rabbit and black pudding terrine and more.
When: From 12 August
La Poule au Pot
231 Ebury St, Belgravia, London SW1W 8UT
Classic french bistro and sister restaurant to Maggie Jones. It's kept its classic French decor since the 60s and also has a very handy terrace.
What's on the menu: La Poule au Pot’s grouse – which comes from The Yorkshire Dales National Park, in northern England – will be served alongside daily vegetables with a game sauce (£38.50)
When: From 15 August
Find out more about La Poule au Pot
The Shed
122 Palace Gardens Terrace, Kensington, London W8 4RT
This Notting Hill restaurant, from The Gladwin Brothers, prides itself on serving produce straight from its own farm and will be bringing grouse straight from the Yorkshire Dales.
What's on the menu: Oliver Gladwin’s fresh whole roast grouse version will be served as a main course with heritage vegetable crisps, beef dripping sourdough toast, cherry and red wine jus and watercress salsa.
When: From 12 August
Also look for...
- Aqua Shard will have a special 3-course grouse menu from 12-19 August with a starter of "Grouse consommé, pearl barley, foie gras and mushroom braised with cabbage" and the main "Roasted Red grouse breast, blackberry and beetroot puree, sherry sauce"
- Boisdale of Belgravia will have a grouse tasting menu, including Grouse consommé, grouse terrine, grouse ragu, grouse salad and - of course - roast grouse. That will be available from 20 August.
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