Are you ready for nine delicious weeks in front of the TV with BBC2’s Great British Menu? The new series begins on 18 March 2020. To whet your appetite, here’s a round-up of the London chefs involved in this year’s children-literature-themed competition, the British regions they’re representing, and their restaurants.
London and the South East
Steve Groves, Roux at Parliament Square
RICS, Parliament Square, London SW1P 3AD
What's on the restaurant menu: Elegantly ambitious seafood dishes are always a highlight here, such as roast cod with BBQ hispi cabbage, mussel and dulse butter sauce, oyster and apple ‘tartare’. Always leave room for one of the seasonally flavoured soufflés.
Find out more about Roux at Parliament Square
Book Roux at Parliament Square
Kerth Gumbs, Ormer Mayfair
7-12 Half Moon Street, Mayfair, London W1J 7BH
What's on the restaurant menu: If the Jersey lobster is on the menu (with crab, coconut, carrot & herring roe), don’t hesitate to order it. The Yorkshire rhubarb trifle is also divine when in season.
Find out more about Ormer Mayfair
Karl O’Dell, Texture
34 Portman Street, London W1H 7BY
What's on the restaurant menu: The Fish Tasting Menu is where it’s at. Or a simple plate of Isle of Skye scallops with coconut, soup, kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass from the Bar Menu will also hit the spot.
Ivan Tisdall-Downes, Native
32 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TU
What's on the restaurant menu: The Tasting Menu covers all bases here, otherwise anything fish-related from the Daily Menu is a highlight, such as Chalk Stream trout ceviche, Alexander Leche de Tigre and Yorkshire Rhubarb.
North West
George Farrugia, Fenchurch Restaurant at Sky Garden
1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF
What's on the restaurant menu: There are several menus to choose from but you won’t go wrong with local meats, such as Hampshire pork belly, braised snails, cime di rapa and squid ink mash. The Manuka honey mousse, meadowsweet panna cotta and lemon peel ice cream dessert is also a delight.
Find out more about Fenchurch Restaurant at Sky Garden
Scotland
Ross Bryans, Les 110 de Taillevent
16 Cavendish Square, London W1G 9DD
What's on the restaurant menu: Do not pass go: order the award-winning lobster spelt risotto from the A La Carte menu. The four-course Black Truffle Menu (when in season) is also spectacular for funghi fans.
Find out more about Les 110 de Taillevent
Northern Ireland
Shauna Froydenlund, Marcus
The Berkeley, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RL
What's on the restaurant menu: The Lake District ribeye for two, beef fat potatoes and Bordelaise sauce is a superb choice for meat lovers. Otherwise, the three-course Chef’s Set Menu is a great all-rounder to sample several menu highlights.
Wales
Tom Phillips, Restaurant Story
199 Tooley Street, London SE1 2JX
What's on the restaurant menu: The signature beef dripping candle is a must-do, and is included on the mystery tasting menus. Otherwise, you can choose the number of courses, but you don’t get to see a menu.
Find out more about Restaurant Story
John Chantarasak, Anglo Thai
TBC
What's on the menu: Anglo Thai is a roaming restaurant residency from an ex Som Saa chef. If you can track down Anglo Thai at a pop-up (join their newsletter or follow on Instagram for updates while they search for a permanent site), do hope they’re dishing up Northern Gaeng Om Curry of Salted Ox Cheeks, Hen of the Woods
Find out more about Anglo Thai
Central
Sally Abé, The Harwood Arms
Walham Grove, Fulham, London SW6 1QR
What's on the restaurant menu: The two/three-course set menu has some intriguing options. Where else would you get a haunch of Chinese water deer with beetroot, blackcurrant and kromeski? And the marmalade ice cream sandwich makes for a fun dessert.
Find out more about The Harwood Arms
North East
Ruth Hansom, Pomona’s
47 Hereford Rd, London W2 5AH
What's on the restaurant menu: Highlights from the A La Carte menu include the halibut with Jerusalem artichoke, pickled grape, almond and fennel broth. The homemade sourdough with Marmite butter also has a lot of fans. (Note - Ruth Hansom left Pomona's just after this article was written, but the menu remains the same)
Josh Angus, Hide Ground
85 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NB
What's on the restaurant menu: Cornish monkfish gently cooked in smoked butter, warm spices, crushed swede & hispi cabbage is an excellent choice. The rhubarb and custard soft serve for dessert also has a cult following.
Looking for more about the Great British Menu? Find out which chefs from London restaurants took part last year.
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