We had pre booked the room with a three course dinner as well as breakfast included. We made the right choice. This restaurant has a long history. In the 70's it was the first restaurant outside of France to get a Michelin star. The mechanics of the dinner was a bit unusual. We were seated in the library and given the menus. I took a picture of a fat cat outside the castle and then he sauntered into the library to join us. Next we were served the amuse bouche, a traditional complementary small starter that is intended to prepare the diner for the meal and give a hint as to the chefs style. Leslie got a local beer, the golden hare. We had already looked up the menu and knew what our orders were going to be. We then ordered and were shown into tbe dining room. Here we were given a plate with butter and a small pile of salt next to it. Warm bread followed. Then my scallop starter, Leslie's was a locak cut of pork with quail egg. My main was local lamb and Leslie had the local trout. For dessert we thought the cheese course would be less food. We were already full so this seemed smart. The cheese cart was in the other room and was extensive. We could choose from three types of goat cheese, two chedders, a few brie style soft cheese and one similar to a stinky bishop. We were each given three cheeses and I chose a goat, cheddar and the stinky bishop. Leslie had two of the soft cheeses and a goat. Ooof that was alot!
Castle and Restaurant
Off to hunt
Cosy environment
Run rabbit run
Make yourself at home
Leading into the dining room
Scallops and warm pickled carrots
The tiny quail egg was so cute
Local lamb and veg
Sauce for m'ladys trout
It took some time to describe all of the cheeses as there were a great many
Also a date spread, some chutney, truffle honey and apricots were served with the cheese
More chocolate treats!
