The most absurd thing about dining at this new Soho eatery is the ginormous portion size. Seriously, it’s nothing to cluck at.
Even I couldn’t finish my dish and had to ask for a doggie bag. I was glad to have the leftovers the next day for breakfast too. The restaurant’s chicken and waffles (with smoked sweet gravy and maple syrup, £11) was about as tasty as it was big.
Absurd Bird main thing is fried chicken tenders served in a range of options. The chicken’s got (what tasted to me as a predominately) thyme seasoning to it. There are of course other menu items as well, though. And all seem to tip a hat to American style dining, specifically to the culinary traditions of the Deep South. The sweet potato bake with toasted marshmallows (£5.50) is a good – and cinnamon-y – example of how this Bird aims to share a classic taste of Americana with patrons on this side of the pond. Wings in a variety of flavours features prominently too (and I wouldn’t be against going back to try ‘em some other time).
AB does drinks too. There’s a decent list of beers, wines and spirits, including the restaurant’s own so-called moonshine. I enjoyed a Brooklyn Lager with my chicken and had to try a “Cock Shot” of moonshine (really just flavoured whiskey I believe) with chicken broth chaser. Kinda weird, not bad.
Offered a look at the dessert menu, I had to decline. Too full!
Absurd Bird Soho is located at 25 Peter Street, W1F 0AG, with sister outlets at Spitalfields and in Exeter. Find out more at absurdbird.com.
