A menu fit for royalty ? How the Queen Of Cups is marrying the taste of Persia and Somerset in a one-of-a-kind menu

By Laura Linham

25th Dec 2023 | Local News

A game changer : Something different at the Queen Of Cups in Glastonbury
A game changer : Something different at the Queen Of Cups in Glastonbury

This Glastonbury restaurant has been quietly winning plaudits for its plates for several years now ; marrying up the flavours created by its Persian inspired chef, with hyper-local sourced in Somerset ingredients.

The Queen Of Cups has been listed as one of the best gastro pubs across the UK, so perhaps no surprise then that for local foodies, and those coming into town, there is a growing awareness that if you want somewhere special, then make a date with the Queen.

Head chef Ayesha Kajali has now gone one step further, creating game changer dishes with the desert, hyper local ingredient, the famed Tor goats cheese.

Ayesha Kajali told Nub News: "For my cheese course I have opted to make a savoury cheese cake.

"I knew I wanted to showcase a local cheese and for me there was no doubt which cheese to go for. White Lake are a phenomenal artisanal cheese maker with their farm being right near the festival site. I had to use their Tor goats cheese.

"Not only is the Tor synonymous with my adopted home, Glastonbury, but the cheese itself is award winning and absolutely delicious. I'm so very excited to combine it with Persian lemon; a combination that will not only taste delicious, but truly reflect my love for Middle Eastern flavours and local produce"

Queen of Cups Restaurant and Free House is one of a kind

Ayesha will be creating a 'game night like no other' on Thursday October 5.

Ayesha, who is inspired by her Jordian heritage and classic training in fine dining, has created a sensational tasting menu of local wild British game, with each of the five courses plus petit fours displaying her Middle Eastern touch and paying homage to family recipes.

Alex Percy of The Modest Merchant from London has paired each dish with wines from Italy, France and Spain that enhance the stunning spicing and natural flavours of the game.

 And here is that menu (subject to change due to seasonal availability)

Canapé of brik pastry case filled with game tartare, cured quail yolks, barberry gel, grandmother's pickled turnips.

Cantina Mongarda, Col Fondo 2021 - Veneto, Italy

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Rabbit shish barak – braised rabbit in dumplings with seasonal vegetables, cooked in a miso yogurt sauce

Domaine Modat, Petit Mod'Amour Blanc 2022 – Côtes Catalan, France

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Wood-fired pigeon horra usbah – with lentils stewed with pomegranate and tamarind, and crisp brik pastry

Claude Quenard & Fils, Materia Rouge 2020 - Savoie, France

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Shawarma-spiced venison loin, hen of the wood mushrooms, sweet onion and date purée, Persian lime-roasted radish, jameed, fermented wild garlic oil.

Vincent Lacoste, Dompter la Bete 2021 - Bordeaux, France

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White Lake Tor goats' cheese cheesecake, pomegranate sauce, sumac and buckwheat tuile

Bodegas Menade, Sauvignon Dulce 2022 – Rueda, Spain

Tickets are available now for bookings from 6.30 pm on October 5 through this link  Book Your Queen of Cups x The Modest Merchant – Not your usual game night Event With Queen of Cups on Resy at £75.00 per person including VAT but excluding service.

Queen of Cups Restaurant and Free House is set in a 17th century rustic coaching inn in the heart of Glastonbury. The restaurant has been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand and is listed in the Estrella Damm Top 100 Gastropubs 2023. Ayesha was named winner of the Middle Eastern Food of the Year category at the BIH Spotlight Awards 2022 and has been shortlisted for this year's award too.

Her sous chef Tabi Martin has been shortlisted for the Great British Pub Awards 'Young Pub Chef of the Year' .

     

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