The top three: venison

For pretending you’re a spy

Corrigan’s Mayfair

28 Upper Grosvenor Street, W1 (corrigansmayfair.co.uk)

This swish restaurant off Park Lane is where diplomats and celebs lunch. The menu is all in-season and venison tartare is a favourite starter — it’s similar to beef tartare, but with a subtly different flavour, and usually served with juniper berries, roasted beetroot and whipped buttermilk flavoured with horseradish (£14).

For lunch on the run

Little Jack Horner’s

(ljhorners.com)

Fancy your venison in a delicious pie topped with buttery pastry? Then the chaps at this street food stall have a treat for you. The pie comes in a proper dish, which you can take back to reclaim between £1.50 and £3 (pies from £6.50 for one person, to £20.95 for a huge one for three). Check the website to find out when they’ll be at which street market.

For big appetites

Hereford Road

3 Hereford Road, W2

(020 7727 1144; herefordroad.org)

Turning British seasonal produce into hearty dishes, this restaurant suits a first date, taking the in-laws out or eating with friends — as long as you’re hungry. The menu changes often, but look out for grilled venison haunch with celeriac and anchovy, or beetroot (£15.50). Or try the whole braised roe shoulder with carrots (£34).