Game season opened in the UK with the ‘Glorious Twelfth’ on 12 August, the day red grouse shooting officially begins. During the 19th-century, previously remote moorlands stretching from Yorkshire up to the Scottish Highlands became more accessible thanks to Victorian transport improvements, and travelling to the area for grouse shooting became a sporting tradition.
Roe deer, pheasant and partridge are our most popular game hunted in the North East, with many local restaurants and food producers offering delicious seasonal menu items that vary according to the produce coming in. We’ve put together a selection of the best local restaurants and shops where you can try something a little different from your regular Sunday roast.
Lovage
115 St George’s Terrace, Jesmond, www.lovagejesmond.co.uk
Featured in the Michelin Guide just five months after it opened in 2022, Lovage Jesmond is the debut restaurant of partners Kleo Tabaku (head chef) and Lisa Hide (front of house manager). Currently serving Yorkshire duck breast with white asparagus and roasted chicory, they also have venison tartare and venison loin dishes lined up for the autumn.
Blackfriars Restaurant
Friars Street, Newcastle, www.blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk
Based in a 13th-century friary refectory, Blackfriars Restaurant is believed to be the oldest dining hall in the UK. Serving up dishes such as Northumbrian venison with pumpkin gratin, fried quails egg, girolles and brown sauce jus, and Northumbrian venison mince pie with confit celeriac, it’s the perfect location to taste traditional British recipes using locally sourced game and produce.
31 The Quay
Ground Floor, Smokehouse Two Smith’s Dock, North Shields, www.31thequay.co.uk
Overlooking the River Tyne in North Shields, 31 The Quay serves a modern European menu with a strong focus on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Chef Lewis Morrison’s first game dish of the season is roasted grouse with Roscoff onions, Scottish girolles and wild cherry plums. Their grouse is shot locally across the Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland. In September they will be serving loin of Kielder venison with bolognaise fritter, celeriac and elderberry.
The Blagdon Farm Shop
16-18 Milkhope Centre, Blagdon, www.theblagdonfarmshop.co.uk
A farm shop, butchery and bakehouse, The Blagdon Farm Shop makes and sells its own pies including the ever-popular hunters venison pie, made in-house with Blagdon wild roe venison, cranberry and herbs. Keep an eye out for new game pies coming this autumn.
The Cellar Door, Durham
41 Saddler St, Durham, www.thecellardoordurham.co.uk
Set within a 13th-century building, The Cellar Door is popular for both its quirky interior and seasonal menu. Currently serving duck breast with fondant potato, tarragon carrots, charred apricot and kale, previous autumn dishes have included Norfolk quail breast with confit leg, quail egg bon bon, salt baked baby turnip and blackberries.
