Shawlands Southern fried chicken outfit Birds is embarking on a series of one-off collaboration dinners with other kitchens, starting with a one-night-only fried chicken and caviar menu at Corner Shop in Glasgow’s west end.
This first ‘Rare Birds’ event, taking place on Tuesday 23rd September, sets the tone for the series by ‘mixing high and low, fine and familiar’, serving Birds’ crowd-pleasing fried chicken in new and unexpected settings, with twists that only happen once.
Fresh off its own critically acclaimed launch earlier this year, Corner Shop’s ‘intimate and effortlessly stylish’ space will be the backdrop for the inaugural Rare Birds menu.
The Old Dumbarton Road venue has already acquired a reputation for ingredient-led cookery and its tight, seasonal take on classic Spanish dishes.
Rare Birds guests will be welcomed with a glass of Gusbourne Brut Reserve before moving through a menu of unexpected pairings and creative collaborations.
Co-founder of Birds, Nick Watkins, said: “Rare Birds is all about doing something we wouldn’t normally do, in places we wouldn’t normally be.
“Corner Shop has been one of the most exciting openings in Glasgow this year, and the menu we’ve created together is exactly what we had in mind when we started planning this series – comforting and familiar, but with a twist.
“It’s been a joy to collaborate with the team and head chef Alex Brady, and we can’t wait for people to try it!”
The menu will start with a Crispy Chicken Cracker with Smoked Salmon Roe, a delicate bite topped with Yarra Valley Caviar, one of Australia’s most respected producers.
Then there’s a Stuffed Chicken Wing with Bomba Rice and Cider-Poached Chorizo, glazed with sherry vinegar and served with Basque cider and sage sauce.
Birds signature Buttermilk Fried Chicken Thigh, brined and expertly fried, is then served with Katy Rodger’s Crème Fraîche and Smoked Salmon Roe.
To round out the evening, there’ll be savoury sides of Chicken Fat Hash Browns & Green Salad.
Owner of Corner Shop, Conor McGeady, commented: “We like to keep things simple here, so this collaboration made sense straight away.
“Birds do what they do brilliantly, and this menu is about letting that shine in a different space.
“We’re working on some brilliant drink pairings and there might even be a surprise dessert available on the night too. It’s going to be fun – one not to be missed!”
