The beautiful game: where to eat grouse in London

August 12 marks the Glorious Twelfth – the start of the grouse shooting season – and the UK’s chefs will celebrate with dishes that showcase the rich, dark meat of this beautiful bird, as well as other game dishes. Find out where you can enjoy roast grouse, be it with traditional bread sauce, game chips or something more avant-garde. Be warned, however, that some restaurants will not serve grouse until later in the month, so check before you book.

Albannach

With its warm brown-and-cream interior, Scottish-themed restaurant Albannach is a great place to enjoy grouse. From 12 August, it will be served roasted with bread sauce, game chips and Armagnac gravy. Afterwards, indulge in a fine Scotch whisky: the perfect digestif.

Blueprint Café (pictured, left)

For some classic, fresh and fantastic game dishes, head to the Blueprint Café. On 24 September, the café’s ‘game feast’ Saturday lunch will feature bowls of roast grouse with pigeon, blackcurrant and bramble salad, as well as salt mallard with pickled cherries.

Boundary (kitchen pictured, top right)

Owners Sir Terence Conran and Peter Prescott are avid game enthusiasts, so Boundary is an essential stop for grouse connoisseurs. Bon vivants can enjoy the freshest grouse, plus roast saddle of hare and venison chop with red-wine quince. Please note, the restaurant will not be serving grouse until 20 August.

Brasserie Joël

To try a modern-yet-elegant take on the bird, with chef Allan Pickett’s roast grouse with pumpkin praline, ravioli and bread sauce.

The Cinnamon Club

Executive chef Vivek Singh and head chef Rakesh Ravindran Nair are offering diners a 'Game On' menu until the end of February 2012. Dishes will include venison-and-prune kofta, tandoori breast of grouse, and chargrilled crown of partridge, all inspired by India's centuries-old hunting traditions.

Green’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar (pictured, right)

The Glorious Twelfth not only marks the season for grouse, but also heralds the start of the game season. Green’s restaurant will be basking in this meat frenzy: expect to see grouse proudly displayed on the menu, along with quail, rabbit and partridge, all from renowned local butcher Allens of Mayfair.

The Ivy

This A-lister favourite will be joining in the festivities, offering a decadent whole roasted bird with bread sauce, bacon, and game paté on toasted croutons, plus buttered cabbage and game jus.

Lutyens

For a French twist, and some serious game devotion, try Lutyens in the City. Head chef David Burke presents his grouse with liver toast, game crumbs and chips, bread sauce, watercress and a light gravy.

Lyttelton Restaurant at The Stafford

Chef Brendan Fyldes will be offering traditional British grouse at its best: a roast bird garnished with breadcrumbs and accompanied with bread sauce.

Plateau (pictured, left)

This contemporary and sophisticated restaurant will offer roast grouse served with a game croûte, watercress and Hendrick’s-gin jus. Tuck into your dish while taking in the sky-high views of Canary Wharf.

Racine

Chef-proprietor Henry Harris always makes sure Racine is one of the first London restaurants to get grouse on the menu: sometimes it’s being delivered and prepared as the first guests of the day are ordering it!