A big heart and plenty of brains is what most of us look for in a partner, right? Well we’ve decided to look for them on the plate, too. Here’s where you can eat your heart out and brave a plate of brains in London this Valentine’s Day.
Brains first
Tayyabs: Popular Pakistani grill house Tayyabs has an off-menu special of brains masala, but you need to order it in advance. If you’re wary of the taste of brains, the heavy spicing in the dish may help ease you into your first experience.
Tayyabs, 83-89 Fieldgate Street, E1 1JU
Dishoom King’s Cross: The lamb stew at Dishoom King’s Cross is available with added brains, “for more taste and more power.”
Dishoom, 5 Stable Street, N1C 4AB
Barrafina Adelaide St: Milk fed lamb’s brain is on the menu at this excellent tapas bar, for those who want cranium contents with their croquettas.
Barrafina, 10 Adelaide Street, WC2N 4HZ
Gymkhana: Posh Indian restaurant Gymkhana offer lamb’s brains as an optional extra with their kid goat keema.
Gymkhana, 42 Albemarle Street, W1S 4JH
Hereford Road: Brains come deep fried and served with tartare sauce and a wedge of lemon at this west London spot.
Hereford Road, 3 Hereford Road, W2 4AB
The Cinnamon Club: Another spiced brain dish here in the form of ‘bheja fry’ which is minced lamb and brains.
The Cinnamon Club, The Old Westminster Library, 30-32 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU
Happy hearts
The Drapers Arms: Duck hearts are devilled and served with puff pastry and pickled rhubarb at this Islington gastro pub.
The Drapers Arms, 44 Barnsbury Street, N1 1ER
Brawn: Duck hearts come with calcots and romesco sauce at this restaurant which celebrates eating the less popular parts of animals.
Brawn, 49 Columbia Road, E2 7RG
Brunswick House: Another seasonal duck heart dish at this super stylish south London restaurant, where they’re served with rhubarb, buckwheat and sorrel.
Brunswick House, 30 Wandsworth Road, SW8 2LG
Trullo: Ox heart comes with baked borlotti beans and horseradish at this Italian restaurant. Hearty.
Trullo, 300 - 302 St Paul's Road, N1 2LH
John Doe: This west London restaurant cooks British produce over charcoal. Try the seared duck hearts with capers, green beans and mint.
John Doe, 46 Golborne Road, W10 5PR
Medlar: Duck heart gets fancy at the superb Medlar, next to a duck egg tart with red wine sauce, turnip puree and lardons.
Medlar, 438 King's Road, SW10 0LJ