Buckets of ‘guilt-free’, ethically sourced chicken will be available in a laid-back environment when the 80-cover Clutch restaurant opens on Ravenscroft Street on 1 December.
“As a huge fan of fried chicken, I wanted to bring this greasy bird back to life in a guilt-free form that everyone can squawk at,” said Clutch co-founder Anthony Ussher. “We’re excited to be opening our first restaurant, bringing dishes that we enjoy to the people of London and we look forward to sharing them with our customers.”
The Ussher family, which includes Anthony, brother Ian and cousins Mark Ussher and Niamh Doyle – describe themselves as ‘the ying yang of the chicken revolution’, with plans to open more restaurants in the capital.
Clutch sources all its produce from a small, free-range farm in Withshire. Using eggs produced in clutches, all the eggs laid at a single time, bring the idea behind its name to life.
On the menu
Customers can choose from a menu of fresh-from-the-fryer chicken, including ‘Wings cheaper by the dozen’ and ‘Happy Hens’ – a peppery buttermilk and a peanut & chilli crust fried chicken. For brunch, Clutch will offer ‘Clutch it up’ chilli scrambled eggs and ‘Dozey Drake’ duck eggs and caramelized onions, served up with sides such as ‘Mother Hen stuffing’, roasted corn and ‘Fabulously Fried Fries’ (twice-fried in peanut oil).
For drinks, Clutch will offer a range of unique ‘Clutchtails’ have been created by head mixologist Ben Fisher. A selection of sours including the ‘Cackling Goose Cosmo’, ‘Gamey Gimlet’ and ‘The Bitter Hen’ will also be available.
The restaurant’s interior has been designed by Christina Fallah and the exterior by graffiti artists, Maser and Gareth Pugh.
Hen party
While fast-casual dining chain Nando’s is still at the top of the pecking order when it comes to chicken-led concepts, the past year has seen a flurry of poultry-based restaurants opening across the country. The outbreak in London includes Soho House’s rotisserie-style Chicken Shop in Kentish Town; The Tramshed in Shoreditch, which serves a limited menu of roast chickens and steak; and Rita’s Bar & Dining in Stoke Newington, where chicken wings and a fried chicken sandwich feature.
Meanwhile, Wishbone recently opened in Brixton Market, Canteen chef and co-founder Cass Titcombe opened Roost, Chooks sprung up in Muswell Hill, and Clockjack Oven opened in central London. The Hen Party has also spread outside of London, with one example being The Flat Chicken which recently opened in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Clutch will open at 4 Ravenscroft Street on 1 December.