Winter is famous for its birds (partridges in pear trees and all that), and this Christmas we’re welcoming a new festive fowl to town – 60s-inspired The Holy Birds.
What to Expect
East London brothers Gerry and Jon Calabrese – the award-winning duo behind Shoreditch’s The Hoxton Pony, Hoxton Gin, and Wringer & Mangle – bring you The Holy Birds. Move over Nando’s; the restaurant is like nothing else we’ve seen in London. The 60s-style restaurant, inspired by Danish interior design, will make you feel like you’ve stepped straight back in time.
Across the two floors (complete with restaurant, bar, lounge and private dining rooms), the brothers haven’t missed a single detail: the uniforms, décor and music all echo the swinging 60s. And the dessert menu hasn’t escaped either – look out for the Sherry Trifle, Spotted Dick and Baked Alaska!
Dinner time at The Holy Birds
What to Eat
All the birds are locally sourced and free-range. You can choose to sample anything from chicken and pigeon, to goose and quail. There are even Duck Dripping Potatoes.
The starters include a delicious range of game. Try the Duck Breast Carpaccio, Goose and Apricot Terrine or Pigeon and Almond Pastilla.
Make sure you head over at lunchtime to try one of their fresh salads too. The lunch menu invites you to choose between the Two-way Guinea Fowl, which comes with poached egg, potato and watercress or the Mexican-inspired Rotisserie Chicken with avocado, corn chips, and jalapeño peppers.
Grab a vintage-style coffee at The Holy Birds
What to Drink
For the first time ever, The Calabrese Brothers have come together with their father, Salvatore ‘The Maestro’ Calabrese, to create a 60s-inspired cocktail menu with a twist. Our favourite was the Moscow Mule, which comes served with a small scoop of ice cream and a miniature spoon.
And no 60s restaurant would be complete without Babycham (which we were very pleased to see came served in the traditional glasses). They’re also serving bottomless Babycham at weekends for all the brunch-lovers out there – or those who are just feeling a tad nostalgic.
Get a sneak peek of the kitchen at The Holy Birds
Best for…
If you’re looking for the traditional chook, The Holy Birds offers up slow-cooked and juicy rotisserie chicken – the open kitchen gives you the perfect view of the rotisserie and grill – which comes with your choice of flavoured brine. They also serve up a whole beer butt chicken to share with your fellow diners.
Dishing up at The Holy Birds
Don’t Miss
The wide range of birds on offer gives you a great opportunity to try something new (everything tastes like chicken anyway, right?). Why not swap chicken for one of the heartier winter mains? Delicious choices include Roast Snipe with mushroom, bacon and grape, Roast Grouse with bread sauce and redcurrant or Pot-roast Pheasant and wild mushroom.
The Holy Birds | 94 Middlesex Street, Spitalfields, London E1 7EZ
