Goose is a German Christmas classic. Traditionally, “goose season” launches on St. Martin’s Day (November 11th). Families gather together to celebrate and restaurants across the country are booked out, selling a strict menu of nothing-but-Goose.

This year, we invite you to celebrate this German Christmas tradition with our very own St. Martin’s Day celebration. Take a seat on our first floor and overlook our iconic 20ft Christmas tree as you feast on “The Best of the Goose” a piece of breast and a piece of leg, served with braised red cabbage, German style cooked kale, a bread dumpling and goose sauce. Designed for a single serving.

Or, pre-order the Ganze Gans (whole goose) served with red cabbage, German style cooked kale, bread dumplings, goose sauce, poached pear with lingonberries. The whole goose is recommended for 4-6 people to share, at £250 per goose.

Who is St. Martin?

As Germany’s patron saint of the poor, there are two myths surrounding how Saint Martin became associated with the goose:
1. Out of humility, he hid in a barn to avoid being publicly ordained as a priest, but the noise of the geese he hid amongst gave away his location.
2. One of his sermons was interrupted by a flock of giggling geese.

Either way, goose is traditionally eaten on the 11th of November to commemorate Saint Martin, and then throughout the festive season.

Traditionally St. Martins Day was also the Deadline for payments. Since many people kept geese, the poultry were often used to pay the tax. There was usually a celebration on the deadline such as dancing, on this occasion it was a good idea to fight a goose. Today in Large areas of Germany it is still celebrated.