Eating with the Season: May on your plate Connaught-style
We really enjoy May with its longer evenings and a real sense of optimism. May is the month when British seasonal produce hits its stride with so many tasty foods to think about. From peas to spinach, spring onions to new potatoes, you can taste the difference in May.
So let's talk about our new Spring menu, what's good, why it matters, and how our new menu makes the most of what's in season.
Small, green peas: often overlooked
May peas are sweet and tender, and they're really at their peak. On our menu, you'll find them doing quiet but important work alongside our Traditional Fish & Chips, a firm British favourite.
Drink Neck Oil Session IPA with fish and chips - its citrus hop character cuts through the batter and it's an easy-drinking pint. Want something fruity? Choose our Cosmopolitan for a light and refreshing cocktail, or Fever Tree Premium Indian Tonic with a squeeze of lime for a simple but crisp non-alcoholic choice.
Earthy potatoes: oh so versatile
New potatoes are like a long-lost friend you actually want to meet again! Waxy, sweet, and needing very little done to them, they're one of those ingredients that are just there but really make a difference. You'll find them in ourSmoked Trout Salad: baby gem, chives, lemon zest, a soft-boiled free-range egg, and a light yoghurt dressing. The potatoes anchor the dish without overwhelming it.
If you fancy wine, try our Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc or pick a Lemon Drop cocktail with this fish dish. If a soft drink is what you're after, the retro Appletiser is a firm favourite.
Also making excellent use of the potato is our Pork Schnitzel, served with a proper potato salad alongside rainbow slaw and wholegrain mustard sauce. Pair this dish with a glass (or bottle!) of Bottega Pinot Grigio. A great cocktail choice is the Aperol Spritz, or for a soft drink, try our Big Tom Spiced Tomato Juice. It's savoury and satisfying, feels like a grown-up choice alongside a proper plate of food.
Spinach:Our workhorse
Spinach doesn't get much attention, but May is when it's at its most tender. Our Chicken Tikka Masala is fun, with marinated chicken in a creamy tikka masala sauce served with basmati rice and a garlic coriander naan. It's the kind of dish that's deeply comforting and yummy!
Try a Birra Moretti with this dish or for something completely different, a Hot Honey Picante, an adventurous match for spiced dishes. A surprising choice for many, but its sweet honey warmth plays off the spice in the masala beautifully.Go on, give it a go!
Rocket:The Peppery One
Rocket grows quickly and enthusiastically in May, which suits its sharp, peppery personality. It turns up on our 10oz Rump Steak plate, keeping things fresh against the chargrilled beef.
To drink, try a glass of Tilia Malbec with your steak. It's packed with plum, blackberry and dark chocolate with pepper and spice flavours. If you fancy a cocktail, pick an Old Fashioned. You may surprise everyone and pick a Red Bull if you're going non-alcoholic. Why not?
SpringOnion: the finishing note
Spring onions are everywhere in May as it's when their taste is milder than their fully grown counterparts, with a gentle bite that works as a finishing note on dishes that need a little lift. While they work quietly behind the scenes across several of our dishes, they shine in our slaws and salads, adding crunch and freshness.
May drinks should be fun and full of life. Our cocktail menu has plenty of options, but if you want to lean into the season, look for something with citrus or botanicals, such as a gin-based spritz or something with elderflower. For beer lovers, the lighter end of the spectrum works best so go for an Amstel or Birra Moretti.
Seasonal eating is fun and we’re very proud of our new menus. Every dish is tasty as ingredients taste better when they're in season, and menus built around what's actually good right now tend to be more interesting than those that ignore the calendar entirely.
What you'll find at the Fox Connaught
A gentle Thames-side stroll from the ExCeL, Prince Regent DLR station or CustomHouse station on both the Elizabeth Line and DLR brings you to the Fox Connaught tavern nestled in the heart of London's Docklands.
Food and drink: We offer proper pub grub. Good food served by a friendly face who'll take your order with a smile. Book a table today https://www.foxconnaught.co.uk/book-a-table
Rooms: We offer honest hospitality, ensuite bathrooms, and a hearty breakfast to set you up for another day.
Atmosphere:Character, locals, great British (and European) beer.
And the bit that'll make you feel special: FREE PARKING for all Connaught guests. In the Docklands. Yes, really. Book a room or a table today.
Make May special again!