James Durrant to open the Game Bird at the Stafford London hotel
The Stafford London hotel is to name its relaunched restaurant the Game Bird, with recently appointed executive chef James Durrant at the helm.
The Game Bird will celebrate British cooking, with "innovative, modern touches in a relaxed atmosphere" at the five-AA-red-star, 105-bedroom hotel.
Durrant was executive chef at Jason Atherton's Maze and Maze Grill before relocating to Hampshire to open the Plough Inn in Longparish, which was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand. His main course was also chosen for the banquet on BBC2's Great British Menu in 2014.
The Game Bird's menus will make use of the produce of Great Britain and its surrounding oceans, including Clarence Court eggs, Orkney sea scallops, salt marsh mutton and Lincolnshire smoked eel. There will be a changing selection of pies, puddings and stews, while a traditional Sunday roast will be served from a trolley, "with gravy and all the trimmings".
Unsurprisingly, British game will feature, with dishes such as roast grouse, bread sauce and game chips; Rhug estate fallow deer tartar, quail egg, Worcester sauce, and charcoal mayonnaise and wood pigeon pot au feu; as well as game pie with port and shortcrust pastry. In addition, an oyster menu will showcase British Isles oyster varieties, and a bespoke trolley of smoked and cured fish will be served straight to guests' tables, complete with garnishes.
The restaurant will undergo an extensive redesign to show off the original seventeenth century features of the building, clean lines of marble and glass, and the leather and traditional wood panelling will be complemented by a palette of brightly coloured velvets.
As well as the many game dishes seen on the menus, the name of the restaurant also pays playful homage to Nancy Wake, an eccentric female spy who frequented the in-house American Bar during the Second World War and resided at the hotel during her final years.
Durrant said: "I am excited to be returning the capital with the opportunity to redevelop the culinary offering within one of London's most iconic luxury hotels. The Game Bird will offer classic British dishes with contemporary touches that I believe will perfectly complement the history of the property."
Stuart Procter, general manager of the Stafford, added: "The Stafford represents the height of informal luxury and exceptional service, qualities that will provide the perfect backdrop for the Game Bird. James and the upcoming launch of the Game Bird signal an exciting new chapter for the hotel, and we are all so excited to share the experience with our clients."
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