The Jolly Sailor, in Northgate, kick-started their wild range of unusual cuisine last month offering up crocodile, buffalo and wood pigeon.

It has been popular with punters – but some customers have been sceptical about the reindeer meatballs.

Wild Food Catering Company’s general manager – and chef at the pub – Will Bettles, said: “We researched and found that it’s not widely sold anywhere else and I purely think that’s down to people associating it with Rudolph.

“It’s near enough deer I think, it’s exactly like venison.”

The meatballs are a starter with mains such as swordfish steak, butter roast turkey and venison wellington on the menu – as well as a range of desserts.

Jolly Sailor landlord Ian Blackmore, said: “The reindeer being one of the starters is just a talking point and an amazing dish.”

Wild Food kitchen’s festive menu is quite clearly their tamer set of dishes compared to the traditional Wild Food menu they have started producing outside of seasonal occasions.

The standard Wild menu they offer gives diners the chance to chow down on exotic and foreign animals such kangaroo, ostrich, boar and even alpaca.

Student Hannah Bennett, 18, said: “That’s so unusual it’s like a bush tucker trial from I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here but I would try some of it though.”