A Restaurant in the in the City has created a Burns Night meal with an oriental twist in the form of Japanese haggis as the capital’s pubs, bars and restaurants celebrate the life and works of the Scottish poet tonight.
Chrysan, part of the Hakkasan Group, is serving a three-course Japanese-infused Scottish meal to include “Nabe-Burns”, a Japanese haggis, with dashi turnip and sour cream and Yamazaki whisky sauce.
It is one of dozens of events, including ceilidhs, bagpipes and whisky tastings, in the capital.
Head chef Daisuke Hayashi said the idea came from first tasting haggis which reminded him of Motsu Nikomi, a Japanese pot dish with beef offal. He said: “I think this approach will surprise a few people but a lot of customers are open to trying something new. Kyoto Prefecture [part of the Kansai region of Japan] and Edinburgh have been twinned for nearly two decades.”
Where to take a cup of kindness
Tonight
*Harvey Nichols (109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1X) haggis dinner and whisky tasting at its Fifth Floor Restaurant, at a cost of £65 a head.
*Free ceilidh at the Institute of Education (20 Bedford Way, WC1H) starring ceilidh band The Timorous Beasties, a highland dancer and a Scottish Piper.
*Restaurant 1 Lombard Street (1 Lombard Street, EC3V) has three-course menu (£40 per head), bagpipes and poetry. Complimentary whisky for anyone dressed in a kilt.
*(Drum’n’bass meets folk music at Hootananny (95 Effra Rd, SW2) in Brixton where the Monster Ceilidh Band will be performing until the early hours.
Saturday
*Upper Norwood Library (41 Westow Hill, SE19) is holding an open-mic poetry recital to celebrate the work of Robert Burns, complete with Scottish-themed refreshments.
