With over 15 years heading the kitchen at one of London's best known restaurants, The Ivy, Chef Alan Bird sets up his own restaurant with Bird of Smithfield. The team behind Bird includes Steve Collins, Georgia Muir and Sian Austin, all of whom have previously worked with the Conran family - the latter two at Tom's Notting Hill eateries. Set over five floors of an old Georgian town house, the venue includes a restaurant, lounge bar, basement cocktail bar, a private dining room with a chef's table and a roof terrace overlooking the towers of Smithfield Market. The food is modern British, exploring the influence of British food both historically and presently, and includes dishes such as lobster, pan fried calves liver and Alan's shepherd's pie, which became a cult dish at The Ivy. While the overall feel is of being in a private members club with Harris Tweed and herringbone fabrics in the dining room, and art and antiques dotted around. After dinner, forgo the taxi and head to The Birdcage basement bar for inviting cocktails overseen by London-based bar consultancy Fluid Movement (Purl, Worship St Whistling Shop and Dach & Sons) and live late-night music and DJs. Or, the rooftop bar serves a potent bourbon, vodka and tequila cocktail that's bottled and served fizzy.
With over 15 years heading the kitchen at one of London's best known restaurants, The Ivy, Chef Alan Bird sets up his own restaurant with Bird of Smithfield. The team behind Bird includes Steve Collins, Georgia Muir and Sian Au..
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