The British asparagus season may be short, but we sure know how to make the most of it. From late April until the end of June, you’ll find the tender green spears shaved into salads, stirred into risottos, and dunked into anything we can get our hands on. If you’re hungry for more, here are five asparagus dishes to try in London before the season ends.
You’re never too far from an Ivy these days – and that’s a very good thing. Whether you’re brunching in Marylebone or business lunching in the City, the elegant all-day brasseries can always be relied upon for good food and slick service. This spring, they’re serving a simple but indulgent starter of warm asparagus spears with truffle hollandaise and baby watercress. Perfect with a chilled glass of white wine…
If you’re celebrating this month – or it’s just time for a treat – why not book a table in one of London’s most breathtaking dining rooms? At Jason Atherton’s Berners Tavern, the menu has been revamped for spring to showcase ingredients like wild garlic, broad beans and morels. For the ultimate in date night indulgence, share the Buccleuch Estate Chateaubriand with roasted asparagus, morels, wild garlic, and smoked bone marrow butter.
The OXO Tower Restaurant has been a hit with Londoners for over two decades, and its seasonal British menu continues to impress. After a riverside stroll, you can settle in and enjoy dishes like lobster with fennel and blood orange, sea bass with clams, or dry-aged fillet of beef. There’s plenty for vegetarian and vegan diners, too. One of the most popular meat-free dishes is the polenta primavera – crispy triangles of polenta flavoured with tarragon and mustard, served with red pepper crumble, vegan truffle ‘mayo’, and spring vegetables tossed with mint and wild garlic.
The menu at The Game Bird showcases seasonal British produce at its finest. Their meat is sourced from award-winning family-run farms – current highlights include braised pigs’ cheeks, Wagyu beef, and their signature ‘Game Bird’ (roast squab pigeon). If you’re looking for something a little lighter, don’t miss the simply grilled green and white asparagus. Served with brown butter mayonnaise, Gruyère and sourdough croutons, it’s an ideal spring starter.
Situated five floors above busy Regent Street, Aqua London is the perfect place to unwind after a long day. After a cocktail or two on the terrace, diners can enjoy contemporary Spanish dishes like scallops with grilled watermelon and salsa or beef short rib with padron peppers and chimichurri. Don’t miss chef Yahir Marchand’s newest addition to the menu – ‘Delta del Ebro’ rice with peas, broad beans and asparagus, a typical dish from north-eastern Spain.
What’s your favourite way to enjoy asparagus? Let us know in the comments.
Photo Credit: Claire Menary (for Berners Tavern)
