Seafood specialist, The Oystermen will celebrate New Year’s Eve with an exclusive tasting menu at its critically acclaimed Seafood Bar & Kitchen in Covent Garden.
Available on both Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 December, the five course dinner will offer the chance to enjoy brand new seasonal dishes by talented Head Chef Alex Povall accompanied by the finest fizz in the team’s cosy relaxed restaurant in the heart of London’s West End.
Those joining The Oystermen to toast the New Year will be welcomed with a glass of R. H. Coutier Champagne Grand Cru NV, before sampling an array of dishes showcasing the freshest and best seafood and fish from around the country.
The tasting menu will begin with Scottish langoustine bisque drizzled with vermouth and orange oil, followed by stunning diver-caught Orkney Isle scallops with caper and raisin purée, plus pine nut pesto. Wild line-caught Brixham sea bass with truffled creamed potato, pickled trompette and black garlic will be served as the main course.
This will lead on to an irresistible dessert of dark chocolate ganache with praline and amaretto, then a sharing selection of British cheeses with spiced quince to finish.
Visitors will be able to choose from a diverse list of fine and sparkling wines to pair with their meal, which has been carefully curated by the venue’s co-founders Rob Hampton and Matt Lovell, and includes many grower champagnes that can be ordered by the glass.
There will also be a host of aperitifs available for diners wishing to extend the New Year celebrations further, as well as The Oystermen’s limited edition ‘Everyday Oyster Stout’ made in collaboration with craft brewers Canopy Beer Co; a smooth dark beer that features lingering notes of dark chocolate.
The special New Year dinners will begin at 4:30pm, ideal for a pre-theatre meal, and bookings will continue throughout the evening until 9:45pm for guests planning to watch the midnight fireworks’ display or stay at the restaurant to see in 2018’s arrival with the team. Tickets cost £85 per person for five courses plus a welcome glass of champagne, and must be reserved with a deposit in advance via christmas@oystermen.co.uk
Since launching this summer, The Oystermen’s first permanent location has rapidly become renowned for providing exceptional food at an affordable price coupled with top-notch service, and the Seafood Bar & Kitchen in Henrietta Street is currently rated on Trip Advisor as both London’s highest-ranking seafood restaurant and the second-best restaurant in the capital.
The intimate 26-seater space will be open daily until Christmas Eve, ideal for taking a break whilst viewing Covent Garden’s impressive festive lights or shopping for gifts, and its infamous ‘Bubbles ’n’ Oysters Happy Hour’ on weekdays from 3pm to 5pm matches six freshly-shucked rock oysters plus a glass of fine Crémant du Bourgogne French bubbly for an outstanding value £10 package.
The Oystermen co-founder Rob Hampton said, “2017 has been an absolutely incredible year for us, and would not have been possible without the love and support of our amazing customers.
'We are delighted to be able to showcase the very best of British seafood and fish right in the heart of the West End, and thrilled by the fantastic feedback from our diners each day and visiting food critics about the seasonal dishes that Alex and his kitchen team are creating and serving up.
'New Year is always an exciting time in London with a real party atmosphere, and we can’t wait to personally welcome friends old and new to join us in our restaurant to celebrate this special occasion together.”
(photo credit: Greg Funnell)