A Culinary Tour Of Morocco

John Gregory-Smith is pulling out the big guns.

Or the Great Guns, to be more precise, because – having brought his pop ups to esteemed establishments like Carousel and Wringer + Mangle – the acclaimed chef is pitching up with his next residency at newly opened Borough restaurant, Great Guns Social.

As you might expect, it’s a swarthy space, decked out in moody colours with iron pillars and aged leather banquettes. And for a few intimate evenings, Gregory-Smith’s going to be filling it with heady Moroccan flavours plucked straight from his upcoming cookbook inspired by his travels across the north of Africa; from the cuisine of the Atlas Mountains, to recipes worthy of the royal palace at Fes.

Head along, and you’ll be welcomed with a Preserved Lemon Tom Collins, before tucking into –

THE FOOD

It’s a grand, three course affair, with an optional additional seafood dish (if you’re in the mood to pull out the big guns, too). To start, there’ll be a meze platter of zaalouk (a smoked aubergine and tomato dip), harissa carrots, charred peppers, bread and olives; and then pulled lamb meshoui with cumin salt. Following that, there’s the optional dish of charred squid with a preserved lemon dipping sauce, before moving on to the voluptuous main – a royal lamb tagine with seasonal vegetables and couscous. And if there’s the tiniest snifter of room left after that, you’ll be glad to hear that he’ll be taking care of it with his pomegranate and chocolate cake.

Which, just to be clear, looks like this.

THE DRINKS

Alongside each course, you can plump for individually paired cocktails, like the souk sour, with gin, rhubarb bitters and rose water; or the saffron and lime-infused plantation rum martini – as well as beers, wine and spirits…

If that’s what you’re gunning for.

NOTE: John Gregory-Smith’s residency runs from 14th – 19th November at Great Guns Social. Tickets start at £39.50 and can be booked right here.

Great Guns Social | 96 Southwark Bridge Road, SE1 0EF

Like Moroccan themed pop ups? Head up to the Queen of Hoxton‘s rooftop…