British Pie Week is on and it’s right around the corner (7-13th March), here are some great pie-tastic destinations in London and beyond. Classic takes, original options and exotic additions – at the end of the day they’re all to commemorate our old pal the British Pie.
Hops and Glory:
Tucked away in Islington you’ll find Hops and Glory, a local taproom where city dwellers can enjoy a proper taste of the English countryside. This cosy local takes pride in delivering quality food and fine ales. To celebrate National pie week they will be serving a sensational Suet crust mutton with honey and Pacific Ale Pie as a bar snack for only £4.50. This is a North London must visit, head on down, taste their homemade brew and celebrate your old pal the British pie! www.hopsandglory.co.uk
The Hour Glass
The Hour Glass is an intimate, neighbourhood pub serving great pints and fantastic food. In conjunction with landlords South Kensington Estates, Luke Mackay and David Turcan are at the helm – the wildly successful duo behind Brompton Food Market. To celebrate British Pie Week on this March, The Hour Glass is offering a splendid seasonal dish; Rabbit, ham and cider pie served with mash and purple sprouting broccoli… These guys don’t mess around; they know how to make a delicious plate of food and leave all the best ingredients to speak for themselves. Priced at just £15.50. hourglasspub.co.uk
Fairytale Fish Pie @ Rocket
A far cry from your average fish pie, celebrate National Pie Week with Rocket’s whimsical creation (£15.90) …Perfect for those looking for a pie with a bit of pizzazz, Rocket’s spell-bounding concoction encompasses an enchanting mix of salmon, monkfish, tuna, calamari, tiger prawns, and a mini soft shell crab. Topped with a sprinkling of Rocket’s homemade Pinot Grigio & saffron sauce, and served with Romanesco cauliflower, beetroot, peas and broccoli.
Sure to satisfy those comfort food cravings, this dreamy pie is available at all London venues (Bishopsgate open Monday – Saturday, Canary Wharf open Monday – Friday, Holborn open Monday – Sunday, and The City open Monday – Friday) on the specials menu, week commencing 7th March. www.rocketrestaurants.co.uk
The Unruly Pig
The Unruly Pig pub & kitchen is offering its guests not one, not two but THREE irresistible pies: Rabbit, Bacon and Mushroom, Beef and Ale and a fabulous Fish Pie. These delicious combinations, created by head chef Dave Wall, offer Unruly patrons a true taste of Britain and are perfect for warming up these long chilly days! With a lively and unpretentious atmosphere, The Unruly Pig is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing and reinvigorating meal with friends this national pie week
Stewarts Duck Vindaloo Pie
Chef Abdul Yaseen has developed this pie drawing inspiration from the STEWARTS family in Essex and has been developed as a token of his love and friendship with his friend Mark.
This pie showcases a perfect balance of the authentic vindaloo flavours from GOA, INDIA and the delicate approach of the Stewart family. The recipe has incorporated traditional Indian spices and flavours with traditional British fare. Ingredients include top quality Gressingham duck from Britain and palm vinegar from Goa … a true showstopper!! Darbaar is a new restaurant in the City of London offering inspired modern Indian cuisine in a vibrant and stylish setting.
Cherry pie at Ma’plucker
Go sweet for Pie Day and bag one of Ma’Plucker’s infamously cheeky Cherry Pie’s (£6). With a sour cherry filling and vanilla ice cream to serve, this is the go-to pie to shake off those January Blues! Or if you’re feeling extra cheeky, Ma’ Plucker invites you to enjoy their Cherry Pie as part of their AMAZING afternoon tea which includes mini burgers, sweet treats and boozy ice tea! www.maplucker.com
Galette de rois @ Halva bakery & patisserie Located just a short walk away from the Kings Road, Fulham’s go-to bakery is celebrating National Pie Day with a twist on a French classic. Introducing Halva’s Galette de Rois, a sweet pie based on French tradition and associated with epiphany day. Expertly hand made on the premises using traditional French ingredients, Halva’s version is made up of 2 layers of crumbly puff pastry, with a generous layer of homemade coconut cream, complete with a fresh roasted pineapple filling. halvabakery.co.uk
Polo Bar Presents: The Astonishing Fish Pie by Parlour
Celebrate National Pie week with an indulgent, comforting fish pie at Polo Bar in Bishopsgate a collaboration between Polo Bar and Parlour. The infamous 24 hour café, Polo Bar has teamed up with the Chef at Parlour, Jesse Dunford Wood to create a truly British experience. Jesse is well known for his theatrical and nostalgic cooking style which combines traditional pub grub dining with an eclectic twist which goes hand in hand with Polo Bar’s dining experience.
This pie is no exception and incorporates fresh white fish, salmon, haddock with prosecco and a crunchy golden topping… this is one indulgent classic that you won’t want to miss out on and yet another reason to visit Polo Bar!
Polo Bar, 167 Bishopsgate, London
The Lexington in Angel will be releasing a pie for every day of the week (well, OK, every day except Sunday).
Having recently enjoyed a refurbishment and an overhaul of the kitchen team, The Lexington has started to make a name for itself with its newpie menu – all of which is the work of new head chef Nathan Perrin.
A former barman at the pub, Nathan had been secretly indulging his passion for pies at the weekends, when he sold ‘Pie Tapas’ at local markets and food events. So, when he put his name forward for the role as head chef, it took everybody by surprise.
A quick decision was made to install him as head chef and Nathan overhauled the menu, ridding it of the American-inspired, pulled-pork covered offerings of old and replacing them with an ever-changing list of seasonally produced, home-made pies that have seen his creations entered into the British Pie Awards 2016.
Next week, he has appointed six unique recipes to take centre stage for each day of National Pie Week:
Monday – Beef Bourguignon
Tuesday – Jerk Chicken & Sweet Potato
Wednesday – Butternut Squash, Feta & Spinach
Thursday – Rabbit, Bacon, Mushroom & Cider
Friday – Jerusalem Artichoke, Cheese & Onion
Saturday – All Day Breakfast Pie
Darwin Brasserie
36 floors up at Sky Garden, is adding a limited-edition pie to its menu.
From 7th to 13th March 2016, the restaurant will be inviting guests to enjoy a cottage pie filled to the brim with duck confit and topped with creamy mashed potato, priced £15.50.
Offering breathtaking views across London, Darwin Brasserie is the perfect location to enjoy a slice of pie heaven in the sky
Comfort Food @ The Churchill Arms
Take comfort in this British classis at The Churchill Arms, a cosy country pub in the picturesque Cotswold hills. The property opened earlier this year and is the first venture from Nick Deverell-Smith who was named the Junior Chef of the Year in 2000. A local boy, Deverell-Smith has gone on to work alongside some of the country’s most renowned chefs, including Marco Pierre-White, Gordon Ramsay, Marcus Waring and Eric Chavot, before becoming head chef at Soho House and then Dean Street Kitchen. His menu features produce sourced daily from the surrounding countryside and local village gardens. www.churchill.com
Luxurious Duck Shepherd’s Pie @ Bel & The Dragon
A good Shepherd’s pie certainly knows how to play to its strengths. It’s rich and warming, the perfect edible-comfort. To celebrate British Pie Week, Bel and The Dragon are putting a spin on the classic with their very own Duck Shepherd’s Pie with Sundried Tomatoes & Confit Garlic served as a £9 bar snack. Whether you are looking for the perfect country weekend getaway or a local resident searching for a quality dining experience, Bel & The Dragon look forward to welcoming you.