Important snail update! Cafe Rouge is hosting a snail hunt on Saturday 24th May, and they'll be hiding 20 terracotta snails around Covent Garden. Find one and win a prize, including free wine, free Champagne or a free meal for two at Cafe Rouge. We now return you to our regularly scheduled blog...

Depending on who you ask, snails are either the height of sophistication or absolutely revolting. And National Snail Day (yes, even titchy little snails get their own national day) is coming up on 24th May, so, like it or not, it’s time to start getting ready to celebrate the squidgy little suckers.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em – or never even tried ‘em – snails are firmly ensconced on the London foodie scene, especially as we have so many great French restaurants in the capital. So, where to sample snails?

From 19th May – 1st June Cafe Rouge is celebrating National Snail Day with a snail-filled menu including dishes like the classic snails in garlic butter and the very original snails with melted goat’s cheese. There are nearly 30 different locations in London so there’s no excuse for not getting your snail fix.

One of our very lucky reviewers had a sneak preview and here’s what she had to say:

‘The snails came in three different varieties and were served in a round pock-marked porcelain dish. The first dish of six shelled snails were doused in a vivid green, garlicky herb butter were surprisingly soft and tender yet more akin to ever-so slightly tough mushrooms rather than our homely garden friends. The next six were served in a creamy spinach sauce with the unlikely (and confusing) addition of mushrooms, again they were tender and, dare I say, squidgy with a very slightly earthy taste to them. I'm afraid I had to miss out on the goats cheese encrusted selection as after twelve of the lil fellas, I couldn't possible take any more. But at £4.95 for six with fresh French bread to soak up all those buttery juices, I wouldn't be averse to ordering them again (possibly more to show off than to enjoy!).’

Still need more choices? There’s, of course, the eponymous L’Escargot of infamous Marco Pierre White fame - whilst snails don’t dominate the menu, they do pop up occasionally and for those who can’t stomach it there are plenty of other choices. Cafe Des Amis and Papillon serve up snails too, bien sur, as they’re tres French. And if you’re looking for something a bit more wallet-friendly, Chez Gerard serves a starter of snails from Burgundy.

Snails might be slow, but it won’t be long until National Snail Day has whizzed by. Forks at the ready!