London’s best… Turkey alternatives
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By Charmaine Mok
Posted: Fri Nov 19 2010 -
Looking for an alternative to the standard turkey dinner this festive season? Whether you are after a great chicken or a gamey treat, we reveal our picks of the capital's best place for those tired of turkey
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Barbecoa
20 New Change Passage, London, EC4M 9AG
Jamie Oliver’s latest project is a celebration of all things meaty, so it’s only natural that there would be an in-house butcher housed in the basement. Heading up the operation is Nathan Mills, previously of the Ginger Pig (see below). Christmas will feature free-range geese, 30 day dry-aged ribs of beef and three-bird roasts. Mills can also do pigs in blankets and sausages as special orders. Last order dates vary, so call ahead. Read more
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La Boucherie Gautier
Tachbrook St, SW1V 2JS (07505 924103/ www.laboucheriegautier.co.uk). 11am-3pm Wed-Sat.
LBG is the butcher spin-off of Madame Gautier, a farmers’ market regular. For the festive season, it’s offering a range of alternatives to turkey – ribs of beef, capons, loins of pork and more. Little extras can be arranged on request, too: pigs in blankets, stuffing, sausages. LBG is stationed four days a week at this Pimlico market, but deliveries can be arranged for pick-up at other markets where Madame Gautier stalls are based (Marylebone, Queen’s Park, Swiss Cottage, Barnes and more). Home delivery and pick-up at various farmers’ markets available, see the website (www.madamegautier.com) for details. Read more
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Forman & Field
This fine food mail-order company is reliably excellent and provides high-quality British products – think of it as a posh virtual farmers’ market. Its parent company is the esteemed H Forman & Son, the fish smokers based in east London, so you can also order some festive gravadlax (try the unconventional wasabi and ginger-cured salmon if you're bored of the classic dill or beetroot). For turkey alternatives, a small but elegant boneless quail stuffed with pistachio and foie gras is a signature in the Formans Restaurant, and available to order for Christmas. There’s also ballontine of goose, Christmas porchetta pepped up with citrus, apricot and aromatic spices, and whole suckling pig. Last orders December 10. Delivery only. Read more
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Frank Godfrey
7 Highbury Park, N5 1QJ (7226 2425/ www.fgodfrey.co.uk).
North London’s beloved family-run butcher is a dependable go-to for game, poultry, beef and lamb, and for the Christmas season it will be doing a formidable three-bird roast consisting of goose, capon and pheasant with apricot and sage stuffing. Get your order in quick though, as it has proven a popular choice for the area’s discerning food nerds looking for quality meat. Pick-up dates Dec 22, 23, 24. Last order dates vary, call ahead for details. Read more
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Ginger Pig
One of the capital’s best butchers is offering a brilliant spread of alternative meaty treats for the holidays, from free-range geese (4-6kg per bird) to cockerel. Traditional yuletide options are available too, such as glazed ham (smoked or unsmoked) and moreish pork pies and signature sausage rolls. Order either in-shop at its various branches around London, or place an order via phone. No delivery options are available, so all orders must be collected in-store. Last orders Dec 17 (branches at Borough Market, Waterloo, Marylebone and Hackney). Read more
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M Moen & Sons
24 The Pavement, SW4 0JA (7622 1624/ www.moen.co.uk).
Whether you want a great goose or chook, a succulent Italian porchetta or just a spool of Moen’s award-winning sausages, make sure you place your order before December 18. The three/four/five-bird roasts always go down a storm, too: choose from a modest ménage a trois of chicken, duck and pheasant or go the whole hog (or bird) with goose, turkey, duck, guinea fowl and pheasant. Last orders Dec 18. Pick up only, £20 deposit required. Read more
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Parson's Nose
735 Fulham Road, SW6 5UU (020 7736 4492/ www.parsonsnose.co.uk)
Though relatively new (around three years old), this smart Fulham butchers has been nominated for a Butcher's Shop of the Year award by the Meat Trades journal. The helpful staff can advise on the best turkey alternatives, from geese, capon, gammon to an impressive (though pricey) baron of beef roast (two sirloins in one). Pigs in blankets and all those Christmassy extras can be arranged on request. Last orders 10 December. Pick-up only. Read more
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Veg box schemes
www.riverford.co.uk, www.abelandcole.co.uk.
Riverford Farm and Abel & Cole, two of the better organic veg box schemes in the country, are both turning festive with their Christmas ranges – and everything is delivered straight to your door. At Riverford, a spiced roasting joint of beef (cured using an Elizabeth David recipe of brown sugar, sea salt, allspice, juniper and nutmeg) will feed four to six hungry mouths, while a more manageable chestnut-stuffed turkey leg wrapped in bacon is a concession to tradition without the compromise. Christmas extras, from brandy butter to boozy truffles, can be added to your order too. Meanwhile, similar products are on offer at Abel & Cole – beefy roasting joints, giant geese, and for the vegetarians, a bespoke Christmas veg box brimming with parsnips, brussels sprouts, potatoes, red cabbage, carrots and festive clementines and lemons. Last order and delivery dates vary, check the websites for details.
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2 comments
Try Saf in Shoreditch
I am a Vegetarian American arriving in London on Christmas Day. Any restaurant recommendations for me?