Where to celebrate Burns Night in the South

Burns Night falls on Sunday 25th January this year so our advice? Start early and enjoy a weekend of it! If you are partial to Haggis, verse and Scotch but find yourself firmly south of the border this weekend, here is our guide to where you might partake in a celebration of the Bard and all things Scottish. Note DR Club Member benefits may not apply on Burns Night – please check when booking.

LONDON

1. Boisdales of Belgravia

Design Restaurants has had a long association with Boisdales and the restaurants are considered by foodies to be Scotlands unofficial embassy in London. The Macdonalds Bar provides an ideal venue for your Burns Night Supper. The restaurant is an homage to Scottish cuisine, whisky, cigars and jazz. For more info go to www.boisdale.co.uk/belgravia

2. Boisdales of Canary Wharf

Belgravias sister property are going all out with Frank and Deans Burns Night Hootenanny! Guests are invited to enjoy a six-course menu of traditional Scottish food including clootie dumpling (steamed pudding), cullen skink and venison scotch egg.  Frank Sinatra tribute band The Rat Pack will play Old Blue Eyes’s classics with a Gaelic twist.  According to the Evening Standard ” it’s worth the ticket price just to hear a swoon-inducing rendition of I’ve Got You Under My Kilt”. For more info go to www.boisdale.co.uk/canary-wharf.

3. Blueprint Cafe, SE1

Blueprint has always been big on Burns Night and this year’s (Saturday 24th January) is set to be no different with bagpipes, haggis, whisky, cullen skink and clootie dumplings on a dedicated three-course menu. For more info and menu go to www.blueprintcafe.co.uk

4. Paternoster Chop House, EC4

Paternoster’s all about the best of British, so it’s not too surprising that the team will be hosting not one, but two haggis-heavy meals: a dinner on Friday 23rd, and then lunch on the day itself, Sunday 25th. There will be a very special Scottish menu on offer, complete with delicious Dalmore whisky pairings… For more info go to www.paternosterchophouse.co.uk.

5. J Sheekey Oyster Bar, WC2

J Sheekey Oyster Bar will be extending the Burns Night festivities for a whole month, with a dedicated Scottish menu running until February 28. Find hand-dived scallops from the Isle of Mull on the menu, alongside traditional haggis. On Burns Night itself, the restaurant will have a piper greeting diners and will even be sending guests away with a small bottle of Chivas whiskey for the road. For more info go to www.j-sheekey.co.uk.

6. Quo Vadis, W1D

The heritage of Dundee-born head chef Jeremy Lee inspires the à la carte menu at this fashionable restaurant and club on Burns Night. Haggis, neeps and tatties are on the standard menu (£17.50 for two courses, £20 for three courses), and to herald the great poet, a piper will walk the restaurant during dinner service on the 24th. A true Soho version of a great Scottish tradition. For more info go to www.quovadissoho.co.uk.

7. 1. Lombard Street EC3

Don your kilt to claim a free dram at this grand City restaurant on Friday 23rd January, housed in an imposing neo-classical former bank built in 1776. You can pay homage to Robert Burns’ life and works with a traditional three-course set menu (£45) accompanied by bagpipes, poetry recitals and whisky galore. Kilted men only, mind – tartan-skirted lassies don’t get the free dram! For more info go to www.1lombardstreet.com

REST OF ENGLAND

8. Seaham Hall, County Durham

Though not strictly ‘south’, it is certainly south of the border. Enjoy a traditional Scottish experience with a wonderful four course menu accompanied by a selection of Glenmorangie and Ardbeg whiskies. The evening (23rd January) will take place in one of Seaham’s delightful private dining rooms where you will be sharing the Burns Night experience with your fellow guests. Guests will enjoy a traditional burns supper (£60 per person). To make your evening that little bit more special book into one of the luxurious Junior Suites (£250) and enjoy full English breakfast the next day. For more info go to www.seaham-hall.co.uk.

9. Tylney Hall Hotel, Hampshire

This sumptuous country house hotel is celebrating Burns Night with a drinks and canapé reception in the Library where you enjoy a Bramble Berry Royale followed by a traditional four course Supper from 7.00pm in the Oak Room Restaurant and Coffee & Scottish Tablet in the Tylney Suite. Also enjoy traditions including the ‘Address to the Haggis’ and Scottish dancing with The Frank Reid Band until midnight in the Tylney Suite, following supper. For more info go to www.tylneyhall.co.uk.

10. Snooty Fox Hotel, Tetbury, Gloucestershire

This quintessentially English Inn is paying its own tribute to Burn’s Night  with a supper on 25th January. Enjoy traditional Cullen Skink, Smoked Haddock, Scallion & Potato Soup Middle Haggis Neeps, Tatties, Whisky Sauce, a Wee Dram, Main Roast Rib of Scottish Beef, Beef Dripping Roast Potatoes, Seasonal Veg… you get the picture! For more info go to www.snooty-fox.co.uk.

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