First look: The Game Bird

The Game Bird’s philosophy is about British classics executed with style and panache.Its executive chef, James Durrant, has created a ‘theatre of the senses’ menu based on local, seasonal produce.

At The Game Bird, James has drawn on his great wealth of experience from restaurants including Royal Hospital Road, Claridge’s, and Maze, to create a menu that makes full use of the diverse produce of Great Britain.

This can be seen in dishes such as Smoked Norfolk Black chicken with Clarence Court egg, bacon jam and pickled mushrooms, and Orkney sea scallops with roasted cauliflower, smoked roe and gremolata. Adding a touch of theatre, a bespoke trolley will bring the finest fish, smoked and cured in-house, straight to guests’ tables, with options such as The Balvenie cured smoked salmon; Chalk Stream trout gravadlax; and Lincolnshire smoked eel, all served with soda bread and garnishes of Clarence Court egg, cucumber and dill pickle, mustard dressing, and horseradish crème fraîche.

With a nod to the chef’s Cheshire upbringing, the menu also offers a selection of pies, puddings and stews, including Salt Marsh lamb lobscouse, and Steak and ale steamed suet pudding, as well as dishes such as the restaurant’s signature dish featuring Roast pigeon with parsnips, cabbage and braised pigeon leg served with a “bullshot”, in honour of the restaurant’s eponymous game bird.

Rosendale Design have overseen the extensive redesign of The Stafford’s restaurant, creating a timeless space that celebrates the original seventeenth century features of the building, whilst also incorporating the clean lines of marble and glass, and the natural hues of leather and traditional wood panelling combined with touches of floral upholstery throughout.

In addition, cabinets to one side of the main dining room proudly showcase the game and steaks to be served that evening, as well as the lobster and range of oysters on the menu.

The Stafford is working with West Contemporary as their art partner, bringing a regularly changing exhibition of contemporary works to The Game Bird.

The first installation features exclusively commissioned pieces by world-renowned artists: Chris Moon, Ruth Fox and Carne Griffiths, and includes “Afternoon Tea with The Queen” by Carne Griffiths, which was hand-finished on site during the launch evening of the restaurant using The Game Bird tea blend and The Balvenie whisky.

The Game Bird takes its place alongside The Stafford’s existing private dining rooms, 380-year-old working wine cellars, and award-winning American Bar, with James Durrant working closely alongside.

The Game Bird is in The Stafford London, 16-18 St James’ Place, London, SW1A 1NJ.