I bring good news for lovers of Fergus Henderson's award-winning St John restaurant in Smithfield, whose 'bag for life' is shown here with the usual nose to tail eating emblem. It is now open for Sunday lunch. Since last Sunday 5 Oct the newly refurbished St John (still very white but now with tiles in the lavatories!) has been open noon to 6pm in the bar and 1pm to 3pm in the restaurant for Sunday lunch.
The initial menu included the usual suspects: roast bone marrow and parsley salad; potted pork and rabbit; grilled Jerusalem artichoke, watercress and red onion; halibut and salsify; braised hare and mash; as well as some seasonal dishes – roast grouse; grilled puffball mushrooms with a green sauce; and quince jelly with shortbread fingers.
But the Sunday lunch menu will also include several dishes for tables to share: a shoulder of lamb for three or four and one large brill for the same number of diners as well as several desserts for four such as a large crumble, spotted dick and an apple pie.
The initial Sunday lunch was very busy and apparently included all members of the families of Trevor Gulliver and Fergus Henderson, St John’s founders – so it will presumably have been even noisier than usual!
Bookings via 020-7251 0848, www.stjohnrestaurant.com
St John, 26 St John Street, London EC1M 4AY