In England, turkey is a meat reserved for the holidays in the form of a big roast, often quite dry and palatable only with spoonfuls of (gluten-free) gravy. But this weekend, Strut & Cluck showed us that we’ve been doin’ turkey all wrong. The husband and wife duo behind the former pop-up turned restaurant have redefined how beautiful, flavourful and versatile this meat can be in their healthy, Eastern Mediterranean-inspired menu. With a majority of their dishes being grilled, roasted and gluten-free, head over now to our new favourite NOBREAD date spot!…
Set in a warm, rustic, and earthy space in East London, Strut & Cluck dishes up seasonal plates reminiscent of the food you would be served by the Mediterranean mother you always wished you had (… and if you do have are very lucky). The restaurant has grown quickly in popularity due to its creative plays on turkey, however it has far more to offer than large ethically-sourced birds; the eclectic vegetable plates are real showstoppers. All dishes on the menu are perfect to share, and each one boasts unique undertones of fragrant herbs and Middle Eastern spices like za’atar, dukkah and harissa. Trust us – you will gobble it up!
The delightful staff ensured that we sampled each gluten-free highlight, and to start, we must mention the charred cauliflower. We never understood the hype of cauliflower steak until the perfectly seared florets and leaves appeared in front of us topped with lemon zest infused crème fraiche and a drizzle of pomegranate molasses and seeds. You can choose small, medium or large – and we regret not opting for more!
Next up was a rare find – gluten-free feta, quinoa & mint fritters that are fluffy, don’t crumble in your fingers and light, served with a fresh tomato salsa. A falafel alternative not to be missed, but do be careful as they are subject to cross-contamination in the fryer. Other exceptional vegetarian dishes to note include crispy, spicy chickpeas (the perfect snack with a glass of rosé) and the charcoaled leeks (sprinkled with manouri cheese, fried capers and sweet bites of dried apricot).
But if we were to sum up the two reasons why you must come to Strut & Cluck they are: 1) Far East Middle East Lettuce Cups and 2) Sticky Wings. First, there is nothing as satisfying as iceberg leaves bursting with smoky pulled turkey marinated with harissa, a dollop of labneh and juicy pomegranate seeds for the pop – so simple, so healthy, and so incredibly good. Second, we have determined that the gluten-free turkey wings were “unimprovable” – smothered in harissa and honey and finished with fried rosemary and sesame, chicken wings will never again fit the bill.
With wholesome and alluring food in a trendy setting, where attention to detail exceeds all expectations and turkey charms your taste buds, Strut & Cluck is ahead of the curve and we love it!