Grouse season is here and with it comes an influx of all things gamey, feathery and generally…grouse shaped. I love game and grouse is a firm favourite with its pink juicy breasts and rich flavour. I was excited therefore to be invited along to a special dinner by The Epicurean Collection at The Punchbowl in Mayfair to taste the first of the new season's birds, fresh from the shoot in Yorkshire.
When I say 'fresh from the shoot', I mean that literally; just that very morning a group of chefs had rushed across the country to bring back the grouse that they shot that very morning! This is an annual tradition, I'm told, known as the Great Grouse Run, and is participated in by a number of gastro-pubs: The Yew Tree, The White Horse, The Seagrave Arms, The Museum Inn, The Kings Arms, The Woolpack, The Punchbowl (Mayfair) and The Admiral Codrington (Chelsea)!
Anyway, excited for some grouse I headed down to the Punchbowl to dine! It's a glorious pub and if you haven't visited it yet, do. It's been there since 1789 (!) and used to be owned by Guy Ritchie (fun fact). We've reviewed it before (http://www.foodgoblin.com/review-the-punchbowl-mayfair/) and they often have supper clubs in their glamorous upstairs private dining room, where we ate this time once more.
We started off with a glorious mackerel dish, beautifully plated with beetroot and radish. I love mackerel – it's a too rarely used ingredient but is delicious and sustainable, so should be used way more.
Next we moved to the main event: the grouse! Chef served it simply roasted, on the bone for maximum juiciness and flavour, with bacon on the breasts and smothered in a beautiful grouse sauce. Grouse can be served pink unlike some poultry, and this one was cooked perfectly – succulent and brimming with natural juices.
I closed the evening on chocolate fondant with passion fruit, a pairing that always works really well. The sharp passion fruit set off the richness of the fondant well, helping lighten it after what was quite a heavy meal. The plating was gorgeous too -dainty and modern with the splashes of chocolate across the plate.
Another smashing evening by The Punchbowl and a great way to see in one of my favourite seasons of the year. Now…sieze the opportunity whilst you can and EAT GROUSE!!
www.punchbowllondon.com/
41 Farm St, London W1J 5RP
