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Autumn is the perfect time to get together a big group of mates and don your most forgiving trousers for a big, meaty, shareable main course. Nicola Arencibia gets stuck into the capital's best shareable roasts.
Biblical proportions at St John
St John's flagship cooks the king of Last Supper-style feasts: a whole suckling pig served with greens, potatoes, stuffing and gravy. Starters include St Johns famed roast bone marrow salad; desserts are classic English. You'll need at least 15 friends to keep the price right (the pig alone costs £380) but recruiting a full crew shouldn't be hard, especially when you explain that you can eat until you pop for around £40 (excluding drinks). 26 St John St, EC1M 4AY.
Non-stop pig at Blackfoot
Another pig-out option is the four-course menu at this Exmouth Market stalwart. Pork features not just in the middle of this menu, but in every course, from whipped lardo on toast to a dessert of peanut butter and bacon (yes, bacon) semifreddo. Treacle-dipped, anise-crusted pork belly is one of two main options. The price is £35 a head, for a minimum of six people. 46 Exmouth Market, EC1 4QE.
Specials roulette at The Canton Arms
The blackboard at Stockwell's autumn pub par excellence always suggests something shareable. If you strike it lucky, the signature joint of seven-hour saltmarsh lamb shoulder for five (£74), served with potato-and-olive-oil gratin and, will be chalked up there. Be warned: it's falling-off-the-bone-tender, and it sells out quickly. 177 South Lambeth Rd, SW8 1XP.
Winging it at the Orange
Roast lunches at this Pimlico stalwart serve four to five people and revolve around a 35-day dry-aged wing rib of beef served with trimmings including cauliflower cheese, roast potatoes, yorkies, gravy and vegetables. It costs £95 all in. Plan ahead: it gets booked up weeks in advance. 37 Pimlico Rd, SW1W 8NE.
The Smoking Goat legs it
London wouldn't be the gastronomic capital of Europe without curveball options such as the Thai-style goat at this smashing Thai barbecue in Soho. Expect a pile of smoked, pulled goat leg with som tam and sticky rice as the hero of a mouthwatering £45-a-head, three-course feast for six. 7 Denmark St, WC2H 8LZ.
Peruvian pig-out at Ceviche
Ceviche's Peruvian roast (at the Old Street branch) features the hottest hog in town for chowing down - a Peruvian-Japanese-fusion suckling pig that rivals the spit-roast at sibling Andina. It's marinated in chilli, pisco and miso, serves up to 12, and comes with six Andean sides for £290. And what the hell: add bottomless bloody marys for £15. 2 Baldwin St, EC1V 9NU.
Note: Most restaurants require between 48 hours' and one week's notice, and sometimes advance payment as well. But there's no wait for a table, no quibbling over the bill - and no food envy.
Take a look at the best Sunday roasts in London.
Still hungry? Check out your favourite barbecue in London.