Reviews The Lighthouse Restaurant

Dinner. Tapas fine dining evening. It's one of Ashbournes' premier restaurants. Located in Boylestone, a lovely little village just off the A50. On arrival, you are seated in the cosy bar area for a pre-dinner drink. A Sangria was the obvious choice. You are then shown through to the dining room. Barn, like with its exposed brick and high rafters, which is spacious and airy. Our table was facing the open kitchen where we could watch Jon and his team in action. As well as their seasonal tasting menus, they do some themed evenings. On our visit, it was the Tapas Menu. Snacks BBQ Picanto,feta/ Israeli cous cous. Manchogo & Jambon Croquette Chorizo. Loligo squid Tompura,saffron aioli/ anchovy oil. Gambas Pil Pil House Focaccia,tomato/ anchovy Hand Dived Orkney Scallop,Squid Ink Paella Iberico Pork Chop,black olive Hasselback potato bravas Salad of fennel/ orange/ citrus. Poached Clementine,lemon sorbet. Pastel De Nata,almond ice cream Petit Pours Service is attentive but not intrusive. The food and ingredients are of the highest quality. For a relaxed informal evening with music in the background, you'll be hard pushed to find better

We visited The Lighthouse Restaurant for the first week of their new Summer Tasting Menu. The food was all incredible - our particular favourites were the Laminated Bread with 'Breakfast' Butter, the Atlantic Cod with all of its accompaniments, and the Summer Courgette risotto. The wine pairings were also amazing, with the Blood Orange Sake cocktail standing out as a delicious highlight. The service was outstanding, all of the staff were attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. They were all so happy to help and answer any questions we had about the dishes or drinks. We also enjoyed the fact that the kitchen was in full view so we could see the dishes being prepared. To top the evening off, the chef offered us a lift when he saw us waiting outside for our taxi. We didn't need to take him up on the offer but we thought the gesture was a real testament to the restaurant and the team's commitment to giving guests an incredible experience from start to finish.

Wonderful culinary experience. Every bit of the spring taster menu was a taste explosion. Can't wait to go again.

The quality of the food and the work that went in it is definitely the highlight of this lovely place and well worth the price tag. A romantic diner sharing the perfectly accorded peering of wines with the tasting menu made for the almost perfect night out. Almost perfect because we can always improve. I found the service, maybe rushing at the start of the evening, could manage better the order of cocktail or wine as we almost started the food without drinks. It was quickly rectified nevertheless. Also, if the bushes and edges in the car park could be trimmed that would be even better. Thanks you, we will be back for sure. Berenger

Outstanding. We had an amazing experience at the Lighthouse restaurant. Warm and personal greeting and felt really welcome also willing to taper the menu for allergies which really put our minds at rest. Without being foodies, we enjoy good food and this is what this is, course after course great produce packed with flavour and interesting tastes. Thank you for a great evening.