L’Enclume was the main reason for the road trip in November. A five hour or so drive from my home in Surrey to Cartmel is no mean feat, especially for someone who suffers from travel sickness. I blame my weak inner ear fluid. My desire to visit L’Enclume was born from my visit to Fera at Claridges (which Simon Rogan has recently announced parting ties with) earlier in the year. By no means was the meal at Fera bad. It felt rather industrialised which is unsurprising giving the number of covers. The cooking was polite and correct, but lacked character. It lacked soul. But as Rogan’s food is so highly rated by both food writers and chefs alike, I decided to make the long trek up to Cartmel to experience his cooking first hand.
My husband and I had a bit of a mini holiday up in the Lake District. I clearly use way too many hair products as I had earned us enough points buying Aveda products for two free nights at a spa hotel on Lake Windermere (annoyingly not good on weekends and also I don’t use that many as it took me about ten years worth of gathering points). It also included two free massages, so it seemed like a nice relaxing trip. We also found out that Simon Rogan’s restaurant L’Enclume in only a twenty minute taxi ride away, so we decided that if we were going to be in the Lake District, we should probably eat at the best restaurant there, right?
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Getting to L’Enclume is an adventure in itself as it isn’t exactly a stone’s throw from central London. However, the trip is more than worth it. The Lake District is stunning and the entire L’Enclume experience is certainly one to remember (and definitely one you will want to repeat!).
We opted to stay in the restaurant’s own accommodation, which is conveniently located in the tiny village centre of Cartmel. I could not recommend doing this more! The rooms are simple but comfortable, suitably rustic and very homely. Furthermore, the room included a lovely breakfast at Rogan and Company the following morning, which which proved to be the perfect way to end our stay.
As far as dinner goes, L’Enclume was perhaps the most enjoyable and delicious meal I have had in the UK to date. Service was polished and professional but also kept it fun and friendly. Each and every dish was beautifully presented and totally tasty, with my absolute favourite part being the parade of snacks we were presented with at the beginning to get us started.
If you get the chance, request to be seated in the conservatory out the back to get pretty garden views and an all together brighter dining experience.
But to be fair, wherever you end up, I don't think you will be disappointed.
I absolutely cannot wait to go back! My only apprehension is that I would hate to have an experience even so much as slightly less enjoyable than my first...and it is hard to beat perfection.
Foodie Explorers | Glasgow Foodie |Reviews of Glasgow Restaurants and food| Food Blog | Travel Blog. Best Restaurant in the UK?. L’enclume has been voted best restaurant in the UK by the Good Food Guide for the last few years now. We visited in December 2015. The entrance is modest, quite bright and neither pretentious nor stuffy looking. The whole village is lovely. Down to earth with friendly villagers to match.
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Winter menu at Lenclume. Happy new year folks and here`s my first report of 2012. Lenclume and the Winter menu.I originally planned to take my son ( he`s 15 ) for a little `light` lunch down in Cartmel....it turned out to be a 16 course cracking meal. Chef Simon Rogan i was told was taking a hard earned xmas break with his family and Mark Birchall was at the stove as Lenclumes Head chef. Mark has just returned from his Roux scholarship prize of 3 months working at El cellar de Can Roca in Spain.Watch out for some exciting treats once he gets back into the swing of things in chilly west Cumbria.
Here`s the 16 courses -
Crispy Duck Scratchings.
Onion , Cheese wafers
Oyster Pebbles
Carrot Pork Sacks
Lenclume Bread
Grilled Salad smoked over embers , Isle of Mull cheese , Truffle custard and Cobnuts
Valley Venison , Smoked salt , Chicory and Fennel.
Roasted Snow Crown in a rich Beef broth, Crispy Parsley , and cultivated Nameko
Native Lobster and pickled Beetroot , Apple and Bittercress.
Halibut with Trout roe sauce , Celeriac and Chestnut.
Roasted Monkfish in our spices , Roasted Kiri Squash , Yoghurt and Raspberry vinegar.
Randolph`s Lop suckling pig with Northern Mead , Vintage vegetables and Nasturtium.
Yew tree farm Herdwick Hoggett in Mulled Cider , Brussels sprouts and Red Cabbage
.Sea Buckthorn and anise Hyssop , Liquorice and Butternut.
Fig and Malted cream , William Pear Ice.
Fresh Cheese ice cream with Sweet Brackens , Rosehips and Hazelnuts.
Aerated Parkin Meringue.
All in all...Another wonderful meal at Lenclume and fingers crossed they`ll go from strength to strength during 2012...."Simon Rogan".... Watch this space , I`m quietly confident.
After some windy narrow country driving and getting moderately lost we got there and were warmly welcomed by the staff. We sat at a cute table in the main dining room which has rough stone walls and wood beams on the ceiling and enviously eyed the conservatory area which is bright and gorgeous (slightly more modern and overlooking a small garden). Despite the two Michelin stars, the setting is casual and most customers were wearing...
It is fitting as we reach the century blogpost milestone that it belongs to a special restaurant. Much has been written about L’Enclume, the flagship Simon Rogan restaurant that sits in the charming village of Cartmel. As well as being the 100th post it was also the venue for Mrs Noms birthday back in December, I can’t reveal her age though as I risk not being able to finish this post otherwise! The booking was made months in advance, increasing the anticipation as the date drew nearer. L’Enclume holds two Michelin stars and scored a rare perfect ten alongside topping the charts in the Good Food Guide 2014. The drive to the village of Cartmel takes you on a journey from urban to rural, leaving the motorways to narrow countryside roads. L’Enclume is located on a side street just off the main square. We were one of the first tables to arrive at 6.30pm and were seated at a table with a view of the pass, or theatre seats as they were described. After a quick tour of the state of the art ki
The journey from Manchester up to L'Enclume in the small village of Cartmel only takes about an hour and a half, but that time feels like Christmas eve, the sheer anticipation of eating lunch at the best restaurant in Britain is just so delicious. We arrived at our local B&B and despite the cold welcome there ( Calsfell View, not recommended) , it didn't put us off our step, we were in the restaurant by midday. If you do want the long 22 course taster menu at lunch time you need to get there before 1. It's a 4 hour The food at L'Enclume is in a league of its own we think; the combination of modern cutting edge techniques and extremely high quality local produce however means little unless the food all comes together on the plate. But it always does. This is not actually so easy to pull off as we've found when going to other restaurants that have promised but not quite delivered. That magic flavour intensity is missing even though the food may look beautiful and they're charging an arm
This meal was a total joy from beginning to end and I would heartily recommend going there to anyone who likes food. The menu will introduce you to new things but there is so much care and attention given to the composition of each dish that unfamiliar ingredients will not be intimidating. The food is worth the journey to Carmel alone but it is also worth staying overnight.
However good the majority of the dishes were, a few dishes didn’t work in our opinion (a bit too minimalist). However, what stands for all dishes at L’Enclume, is that they were all well executed.
Next up was the “Oyster pebbles” looking very like the accompanying local beach stones in the little glass pot….very realistic and an enjoyable amuse to get us smiling. As always , the very popular Lenclume bread was freshly baked and straight out of the oven.
In food on October 16, 2012 at 9:09 pm We booked at the last minute or, to be more accurate, the previous week. It’s interesting that we could get a table at a 2* Michelin restaurant, on a week’s notice. Try and do that the Hand & Flowers, for example or the Ledbury and they’d laugh at you. I’m wondering whether it’s something to do with the location or with the food. Probably the former. Everybody seems to absolutely love this restaurant. I generally try not to read too many reviews before I go to a new restaurant because I like to experience it afresh and not unconsciously take on board other people’s opinions. It’s the same reason I very rarely read film reviews, before I choose to go to see a film – I don’t want to be influenced and I certainly don’t want to know the outcome. Because I didn’t know I was going to be here, I’d read quite a few reviews and maybe it was the weight of expectation that was too great or maybe it was the fact that I’d seen or read about quite a few of the
L'Enclume has provided some exceptional food: difficult to believe, but my latest meal showed a marked improvement.
perhaps UK’s best restaurant Rating: 5/5 Michelin star: two stars Price: £120 for 21 course tasting menu L’enclume had just been crowned the best restaurant in UK by the 2014 Good Food Guide. Based on the incredible evening I had from the 21 courses (they were small), it certainly deserved this title. The dishes were perfect in every way, creatively served, beautifully plated and had plenty wow factors in terms of flavour. I was asked which was my favourite dish next morning, which was impossible as the whole menu was superbly curated. The menu changes on a daily basis, based on that alone it’s already superior to the Fat Duck , which nearly always serve the exact same menu. I hope it gets more recognition from the Michelin guide because it thoroughly deserves 3 stars. It is a 5 hour drive from London but it was easily my meal of the year, so go, book it now! The Restaurant The restaurant is based in a small village named Cartmel in Cumbria. It offers accommodation, whic
Once again, the Artichoke with goat’s cheese, tarragon, stout vinegar and malt was my favourite dish however the new Hake with crab and pine, leek, celeriac and sorrel was a close second – as you'd expect, the hake, enrobed in fat, was beautifully cooked but, for me, it was the ingenious injection of acidity from a tartly sweet reduction of Granny Smith apples, sorrel and wild ramson capers that made the dish sing.
L'enclume is our favourite restaurant in the UK and the food there is, in our opinion, without doubt three star. Technically excellent, always surprising, humourous, innovative, wide ranging and let's be clear on this, unfailingly enjoyable to eat. For only a few lucky people is L'enclume close by, but no matter how far it is from where you live, L'enclume is always worth the journey.
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We once saw Simon Rogan on a British tv program and been meaning to come here ever since. Located in the small but beautiful village of Cartmel in the Lake District this is a small hotel with a two Michelin starred restaurant.
The room we had was very nice and cosy and the restaurant was just a short walk away. The bed was comfortable and the bathroom had nice bath products from Simon Rogans line of bath products with local herbs and flowers. There is also a shop in town where you can buy his products to take back.
The restaurant serves a 19 course degustation menu and there is a vegetarian option as well. They grow all the produce in their own farm and also forage for herbs and flowers from the area. The emphasis is on the produce and extracting maximum flavour from them. Let me tell you, I was in heaven. The dishes albeit small were amazing. Once you get to course number 15 you want to stop but somehow you carry on and manage the rest :-)
Four courses of dessert which were fabulous and the Anvil - miso ice cream disc with Apple base was the best dessert I have had in a long time. The kale salad was fabulous as was the local lamb and lobster. Most of the flavours were new to my palette and I loved it. It's rare that I have the same opinion of the entire meal and not one course I did not like.
Would come back here in a heartbeat. Service was amazing and the wine list good. The ambience is fabulous and the restaurant is located in an old blacksmiths house. Worth the trip to Cartmel.
The presentation and flow of the tasting menu was excellent. The dessert was mediocre but no one comes to these restaurants for the desserts right?? I had a lovely cod dish that I enjoyed the most but I cannot complain about any of the dishes. Almost forgot that they make a dressing in front of you and it's delicious!! The waiter staff was interesting, there was what seemed to be a senior wait staff who was SO BLUNT! I wasn't offended but also was in shock as this is not the type of restaurant that you meet staff like him. It was funny but also strange. I enjoyed my dinner but have had better. I don't regret going but also would rather try somewhere new next time I'm in the Lake District.
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I jumped at the chance to join two friends here who are recreating the Trip 'on the cheap', following a useful Guardian article although of course a lunchtime tasting menu at L'Enclume is still £55 (£45 for wine flight) so for most people this would be a big treat - and I think well worth it for a special trip.
Staff were so lovely throughout, unsurprisingly super professional and attentive. The restaurant has a warmed and relaxed atmosphere and we had a table in the conservatory overlooking the pretty garden and stream, which was great. They don't make it feel at all intimidating for fine dining newbies by myself, so you can just admire and enjoy the beautifully presented food.
I won't go into massive details but just to highlight some things
1) They suggested a begonia-infused (I think) gin cocktail as an aperitif - this was about £10 and I would say go for it if you like that kind of thing, I of course REALLY liked it
2) There were just so many standout ingredients - truffle, ham fat, smoked eel, cheese dumpling, leek grown on their farm, veal tartare, candied beetroot and venison. I also loved the dark chocolate pine cones that came out on a little branch on the end, to accompany some very boozy coffees and herbal teas
3) The wine nearly stole the show - my favourites from the wine flight were an Italian white with a German name and a delicious Argentinian Malbec.
4) The cheese course and accompanying wine flight was a massive extra indulgence but was really worth it - the Viognier was so delicious and we tried 10 beautiful cheeses - there was four of us and a cheese board is normally 5 cheeses between 2. I actually probably would prefer the latter option as you don't get much when you split one piece into 4 but of course it gives you a chance to try so many options. I think all the cheeses are available in Cartmel Cheese on the other side of the village and the next day I bought the tunwoth and finn soft cheeses (one of which was the best cheeses I had ever tasted but I couldn't remember which so HAD to buy both! Turns out it's the tunworth!) and the stichelton was some kind of raw stilton situation which was also outstanding.
We stayed at the Priory Hotel around the corner which was excellent.
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Hands down the best Michelin meal I've ever had in my life so far. No wonder this was rated the No. 1 restaurant in UK by 2 food guides. We picked the 8 course meal. For appetizers, we had 1) truffle pudding, 2) pork and eel with ham fat and 3) aynsome leaves soup. These 3 dishes were innovative. My dining companion doesn't even eat truffle but he actually likes the truffle pudding! For mains, we had 1) rainbow chard with chicken wing, shrimp cream and fennel. I was a little apprehensive about the many ingredients initially, but it turned out surprisingly well. 2) aged veal and 3) butter poached hake were so fresh and well cooked. The meat was tender and moist. For dessert, we had 1) liquorice custard and 2) strawberry rhubarb yoghurt. These were innovative and were centered around the flower theme. We subsequently learnt that the chef, Simon Rogan, grows a garden of herbs and edible flowers. He also has a farm of his own animals.
We live in London, so this place is quite a travel for us. But no doubt we'd be back for more!
In a word....superb! From the moment you walk through the door into the rustic, but elegant dining room you are made to feel special. There is no pretentiousness either and given that it's just been awarded the accolade of the UK 's best restaurant, you could be forgiven for thinking it would be.
The service from the staff is impeccable and very attentive. Some people might not like having an introduction to each plate of food but when your spending serious cash you might as well know exactly what your eating and how it was made.
The dishes in the sixteen course tasting menu are as clever as they are delicious. Each one an explosion on the senses!
You need around three hours for the menu we had and boy was it worth it.
I will definitely go back there and sample the delights of Simon Rogan's talents again.
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While some may find eclectic presentation kitschy, I love food that is assembled with thought and care, especially when it not only looks amazing but tastes delicious as well.
As it was an Easter weekend, we booked 2 weeks in advance, but could only score lunch reservations. This was okay because it was a 4 hour course and it was much easier to find our way out of Cartmel while it was still light out.
We parked at the racecourse track parking lot and arrived at the unassuming restaurant with our appetites ready. Seated near the kitchen, we were asked if we wanted a 6 course meal (45 quid) or a 21 course meal (120 quid), which changes every day Since a trip to the Lake District is rare, we decided to go with the 21 course. Upon seeing the bf's intimidated expression, our waiter reassured him that the portions were not huge but reasonably portioned.
Ready? Go!
Appetizers:
1. Oyster pebbles (macaron textured oyster fluids, so yummy)
2. Chicken dumplings (savory dumpling served on a little tree trunk)
3. Ragstone, malt, tarragon
4. Smoked eel with ham fat (creamy and savory)
5. Cow's heel, curds, onion ashes
6. Raw scallop and caviar (delicate and light)
7. Asparagus and crab sack
8. Creamed potatoes, Tunworth and duck gizzards
Slighty larger, mains:
9. White turnip, maran egg, nasturtium leaves
10. Valley venison, charcoal oil, mustard and fennel (served with little glass balls of sweet liquid)
11. Glazed langoustine, carrot, watercress, raw langoustine, scurvy grass, hazelnuts (langoustine cracker served with a langoustine broth)
12. Salt baked beetroot, ox tongue, yoghurt and apple marigold (freeze dried beetroot served with cubes of beet)
13. Brill grilled over spruce, mussel, salsify and sea vegetables
14. Holker milk fed lamb, sweetbreads, kales, and ramson (this was my favorite main)
Palate cleansers and desserts:
15. Rye, stout and gingerbread
16. Sea buckthorn and butternut
17. Caramel, sheep's milk, celery
18. Yorkshire rhubarb, apple, sorrel, and brown butter
19. Yoghurt, pear walnuts and sweet cicely
20. Celeriac, sweet cheese, malts (little cones served with scooping of each ingredient)
21. Douglas fir and apple (apple juice)
The BF and I loved this meal because it encompassed so many different vegetables and meat, but it didn't leave us disgustingly full. Apparently the restaurant gets its ingredients from its farm, and everything tasted fresh and clean. Service was great, and we were well looked after.
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I've been to a few Michelin restaurants including Fera at Claridges which is run by Simon Rogan and in most cases I felt underwhelmed. However, I always believed that there's more to the man, whose experimental cooking I was admiring for such a long time. And I'm glad I gave him another chance as the lunch at L'Enclume was the meal I've had in my live. If you are visiting the Lake District and you don't drive, getting to Cartmel can be a bit tricky. We had to take two buses and then walk for 50 minutes to get to the village where it's based, but it was all so worthy!
The decor of the place is simple. Actually a lot of things are simple here to not to distract you during the experience (the restaurant doesn't have music or wifi, for example). The menu is placed on the table in sealed silver enveloped which you can keep as a little souvenir.
Our food adventure started with thin crisp bread and a parsley 'moss' served on a stone with cod roe cream cheese. The eel was served in a spiky crisp was perfectly smoked. The turnip broth with slightly pickled turnip, forest mushrooms and a tiny cheese dumpling that was melting in my mouth was exquisite. It was followed by a beautiful flowery salad, all ingredients of which were grown and sourced by the chef. I'm pescatarian, so I got lemon sole instead of venison and though tasty and beautifully cooked, it was probably the weakest dish of the day. Both of the desserts, including sorrel granita with forest berries and buttermilk and extremely fluffy almond semifreddo, were divine.
Everyone needs a little treat sometimes, so if you are around, I absolutely encourage you to visit this place, it's like anything you've ever tried.
I've eaten in a number of Michelin starred restaurants over the years, but this was the first time I went for a tasting menu.
The reputation that Simpn Rogan's restaurant has is amongst the best in the world. Using foraged cumbrian ingredients, produce from his own organic farm and the best of local produce L'enclume has earned itself two Michelin stars (I'm not even sure you can get three without being a french restaurant!)
I won't bore you with the details, but essentially it's 16 courses that'll allow you to sample everything from lobster to venison. Personally I even tried my first and last cockle!!! :)
We stayed at L'Enclume house and had B&B at Rogan & Co. It wasn't cheap but it was epic!.
My only criticism would be with the accomodation itself which was amazing except that I think the walls are made of papermache . You could hear everything in the two adjacent rooms.
Visited last March and a year later, thinking about going again in the future; the lingering memories are that good.
We had the full tasting menu in a group of five and the food was amazing. And the service, wow. Impeccable. Our sommelier was particularly impressive. Not to mention one of our drunken comrades was politely humoured by the staff after the meal and even got to see inside the kitchen :) dream come true for him.
Lastly, as far as 2 starred Michelin restaurants go, this is a bargain.
You must go. Go! Do it now!!
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This is the continuation of my review of L'Enclume:
8. Meadow sweet custard & blackcurrant, white currant granite
This was the perfect palate cleanser. Taking all the elements of this dish in one bite yielded creamy custard, tangy blackcurrant and cool cleansing white currant
9. Compressed strawberries & crispy sheet, sheep's milk ice cream & sorrel
Once again using the best of British summer produce to give bags of sunny strawberry flavour offset by tangy sorrel and cold smooth ice cream
10. We didn't have space for coffee but we still received lavender milkshakes and lavender mini cupcakes
The service was impeccable but friendly throughout. Our servers were very well versed in their knowledge of ingredients and the provenance of their produce.
I asked if it would be possible to have a kitchen tour at the end of my meal and Simon Rogan kindly obliged. I loved meeting and chatting to him - I could see the passion in his eyes and it was nice to be able to congratulate him personally on the wonderful meal my sister and I had just eaten.
Then, a funny coincidence happened. When he found out that I lived in London, he said that I should eat at his new restaurant in London. I asked him for the name and he said,"Roganics". Thanks to Haley F's great review of Roganics, I had already earmarked this as my next restaurant to try in London.
With a standing invitation to see if he's in the kitchen at Roganics when I eat there, it's definitely next on the list! Simon was kind enough to autograph my menu.
Sis and I left as 2 very well fed people. L'Enclume is in my top 3 favourite meals in the UK. It even made the 6 and a half hour drive home in pouring rain bearable!
GastroNaughties say 5 thumbs up
SERVICE
- reception
Carefully prepared two menus for J - one contemplating allergies, one contemplating preferences. Wow. A glaring example of exceptional attention to details for a client who informed them in advance...that is SERVICE!
- floor staff (knowledge and presentation of food, attention to details and awareness of guests)
Professional, but playful. Good stuff.
FOOD
- bread
Outstanding. We sent it away. Too good. Butter would make the Frogs cry. We are amazed how many people are finishing the bread...and no doubt the 20 course menu.
- ingredients
Veggies from the backyard. Happy Rabbit J.
- presentation
Staff perfect We imagine staff taste every dish given the precision of explanations. Tough perq!
- creativity
Very
- taste
Wow
- smell
Wow
- execution
Wow
One of the best dining experiences I will ever have. The garden to table approach is just one of the reasons this place blows you away with its attention to detail and amazing food. The wine pairings were the most complementary example I have experienced and the staff defined professionalism. Amazing. Probably the best restaurant in the UK right now.
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We were really looking forward for an unforgettable experience at L'Enclume given the excellent reviews so far. Our overall experience and the food was good but with some underwhelming inconsistencies.
To those planning to dine here, I highly advice booking in advance like we did as they get booked quickly due to popularity. During our booking, we were informed of the set 6 courses meal. We asked about their menu during the booking but it was unavailable. After perusing through the website, it appears that it is constantly changing and mostly based on local and seasonal organic products. The mystery of the menu being unlisted made our excitement grew greater.
The day of visit: upon entry, we were warmly welcomed by the hostess, our coats taken then graciously taken to our table. After being seated, the service went quick. We were serve with appertif and given the set lunch menu as well as the wine list. The server then checked to see if we have any particular food allergy or food aversion from the menu. Shortly after, everything went well from food to service. As for the food, the first 4 courses were spectacular and flawless. The pairing of the ingredients was creative and sophisticated. It left us nodding and impressed. The presentation was modern and minimalist but with the hint of country feel to go along with the ambiance and decor. As we observed, the restaurant was a conversion; we found out it used to be a blacksmith house. It is quite evident as they left many of its characteristics in. Going back on the food, the last 2 courses were questionable. The taste of the ingredients did not seem to blend in nicely to produce that impressive taste to our palate. For instance the oatmeal stout with rye, pear and elderberry vinegar was bitter and tangy. It was one odd mixture of tastes. On the other hand, the rhubarb and yogurt dessert with hazelnut was plain and mediocre. The ingredients did not produce that bursting taste that will make my eyes widened from approval and satisfaction.
In conclusion, L'Enclume was good but not the best.
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I was very surprised by the above review because my stay at L'Enclume was up there with one of the most rapturous experiences I have ever had.
I needed to book somewhere special for my boyfriend's birthday in early December, and after a frustrating attempt to book The Fat Duck (setting a reminder on my phone exactly 2 months in advance for the moment the restaurant opened, getting a consistent busy signal for two hours only to be finally told the restaurant was full), I decided on L'Enclume. As a northerner, he'd been desperate to go back to the Lake District for ages; as a self-confessed city girl, I thought we may as well do it in style.
Our room, next door to the main restaurant, was exactly how I had imagined - boutiquey looking but with enough of an "English Hotel" feel to make you feel at home (i.e. there was the standard travel kettle, but with fresh milk and homemade cookies). The low ceilings and tudor beams made the room very cosy, although I found it very militant that the bath products were fixed to the wall: at around £140 a night, it was hardly likely that the clientele were going to be desperate enough to make off with the shower gel.
We were offered an apperitif before dinner, which was taken in the little sitting area off the main restaurant. These were accompanied by a selection of quirky snacks: I can't remember exactly what they were, but I can tell you they included a prawn cracker, a lollipop and a tuile, and that they were all delicious. We perused the menu and decided to go for the full-on 12 courser...it was a celebration after all.
The restaurant already knew that I ate fish but no meat, and this wasn't a problem at all - I simply had tweaked versions of the main menu. I won't go through every single dish because I'd be here all day and should probably be working, but it was some of the most exciting cooking I have ever eaten. Flavours combined and exploded and we spent most of the evening ooing and ah-ing rather than talking to one another.
The staff were also lovely: helpful without being obtrusive: and we made very good friends with a particular young female staff member (I think her name was Rebecca) who I can say pretty much made our night.
Breakfast the next day was slightly less exciting - I think we expected the same crazy experimentation - but this was made up for by lunch at Rogan's - L'Enclume Head Chef Simon Rogan's less formal brasserie, also in the chocolate-box perfect village of Cartmel. It was interesting to see that Rogan is just as adept at making fish and chips as he is a michelin star faire - it's absolute travesty that he hasn't been awarded a second michelin star this year, and I for one will be campaigning for it.
A magical weekend - I would go back in a heart beat
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This really is luxurious eating, and sleeping too if you choose to slumber in one of L'Enclume's rooms. It's won more accolades than you can shake a stick at and the approach to cuisine is very creative.
It's certainly a treat as it won't be the cheapest place you'll ever eat, but you're given plenty of time to peruse the wine lists and three menus and the staff are very helpful and informative as it can all seem a bit confusing, but don't worry about it being ridiculously posh and hoity-toity - the atmosphere is very relaxed and fun, and you must remember you're here to enjoy yourself. The tasting menus are excellent and they're exactly the way I like to eat, plus if you're worried about meat being in anything or a member of your party is pregnant they're more than happy to alter things to your tastes.
One of the fun parts of being here is the fact that every dish is a surprise, so I won't disclose too much information but I'd definitely recommend it for its quality and its high levels of attentive service. If you're after something a little different and are out in the countryside, this is a perfect stop-off.
Amazing! The little food parcels and the beauty of it all..seriously lost for words. Such lovely informative waiters and waitressesand the country yet modern feel of the décorsuch a lovely restaurant.
Wow! Very tasty food and attentive stuff! The interior is also very stylish that looks new but with elements from the past, very cool! The dinner last about 3-3,5 hours, all dishes very just a fest for tastebuds, so delicious! Highly recommend! The service was impeccable, everyone was very friendly, perfect experience!
One of the best meals of my life - an adventure of all 5 senses. Must do wine or soft drinks pairing. I’ll dream about this meal for years to come.
“Super posh flavor explosions” - my better half
We tried the lunch menu as a treat for my wife’s birthday. Wow is all I can say, everything is thought about and delivered in meticulous detail. We will definitely going back for the full evening dinner experience. By far the best restaurant we’ve been too.
"L'Enclume" is a fantastic restaurant located in the Lake District, England. Its name, derived from "anvil," reflects its commitment to craftsmanship. The food here is not only delicious but also presented beautifully. The chefs employ a unique fusion approach, blending local ingredients with international flavors. Each dish is a masterpiece, and the service is exceptional. If you're looking for a culinary adventure, L'Enclume is a must-visit destination.
I've never had a 3* dining experience before and this completely blew me away. Everything was beyond my expectations; depth of flavours, variety of dishes, presentation, service, welcome, knowledge of the food, surroundings, wines and the understated dining environment. The visit to the kitchen was a particular treat which I wasn't expecting. My partner and I spent 4 and a half hours here and every moment was a sensory treat.
I don’t usually leave reviews, but I had the unparalleled joy of a table last Friday. From the moment our party of four entered we were greeted by a series of welcoming and exceptionally attentive staff. We were seated by the assistant manager, awaiting the theatre- like production that is their dinner service. Everything from the synchronicity of serving the plate to each waiter’s individual knowledge of the 15 course menu was nothing short of exceptional. We went for my daughter’s 18th, and the incredible Tom N helped to assemble the whole kitchen so she could have a photo with them. I don’t think it is fair that L’Enclume is restrained to the confines of a 5* Google review, as they are sublime in every sense of the word.
Eighth wonder of the world in terms of experience, the history of each plate, its provenance from it's creation, the delivery of its service, was far beyond what I'd expected. Even at the £250 per person its one of those experiences that you are happy to pay for, if like me andyou like your food. The creativity of each dish with the backstory and effort gone into it should be put in little booklets so I can take that history home with me, I want to say I can remember each and every story but I can't I was that overawed with the whole experience.What a fantastic team , fantastic cooks and a big thank you for letting us watch your art as you painted it on the plate. True masters of your profession and the craft you displayed. The servers deliver that passion with the food repeatedly.
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Didn’t stay at L’enclume but should imagine it’s great if the restaurant is anything to go by. Was a few years back now but I remember it well because it was so special.
This place is somewhat of a pilgrimage for UK foodies, and if you haven’t been yet, you must!
Incredible taster menu lost count of the courses… maybe like 16 or something?
Every single one was a delight! The service was unrivalled, organised with military precision, superb professionalism. Scottish guy who dished out the caviar was particularly brilliant! The sommelier was about 12 lol! (Okay maybe 20?) and was incredibly knowledgeable, recommended some nice Bourbons for me.
Vibes in there, such a quiet, peaceful dining room, smallish and full but somehow remained intimate.
I loved every minute of it.
The wine was amazing, they even had cigars, which I was tempted by but smoking a whopping robusto can take more time than we had.
Also… I mean, I could go on about the various clever dishes, the rhubarb and beetroot dessert the meaty chicken of the woods course, the seafood macroon… etc… etc… but one of the most memorable was a bread & butter in-between course. Well actually bread and dripping, freshly made that day.
Stunning. What a place!
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Excellent tasting menu, flawless service. Whether you’re new to tasting menus, or working your way through the many Michelin started ones, L’enclume will blow you away. They consider it 17 courses, though do note 3 are snacks, and 1 is a side.
Parking at the race course is easy, and a very short and pleasant walk through the village (even in December!)
Particular highlights included a seaweed custard, and a frozen cheese. The food was novel and thought was always given to where they were sourcing their ingredients from. We even got a recommendation for a local butcher, which was very welcome!
The staff were knowledgeable and happy to answer any and every question we had. The restaurant itself is beautiful, and the place setting was fantastic. The hand forged cutlery was both fitting and sensitive to the history of the building.
The only flaw was that the lamb was a bit disappointing. It’s presented to guests as the star of the show, so we were expecting something incredible. In reality, it was actually slightly lacking in flavour and the cuts both me and my husband received were mostly fat. Unfortunately, this is where L’enclume become a victim of their own success. Expectations were high (as is the price tag) so you do expect every dish to be perfect. For us, this didn’t quite hit the mark.
Overall though, a brilliant restaurant that I would highly recommend to anyone. The staff take perfect care of you, and nothing is too much trouble.
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I first remember hearing about L'enclume and Simon Rogan about a decade ago. At the time I remember him being one of the early English adopters of the then new Scandi style. Noma type locality and seasonality. Lots of pickles, tiny courses, foraging etc. There are still hints of that but eating the 15 courses feels like something much more British and original. A style of its own. A style much imitated itself. In fact, having now eaten there, I've realised many of the courses I've had at much worse restaurants have been pale imitations of some of the courses here.
My wife and I had the 15 courses that everyone gets. There are seasonal changes, and most of the ingredients are picked daily from their own farm so repeat visits are recommended. My wife had the matching wines and I had a gewurtztraminer that I asked to pour myself. I won't go into detail, but if this sounds like something you'd like then it was as close to perfect as something in hospitality could possibly be. At one point I was eating a food of a very delicious and British style, looking out at a sunny English garden with a view of a priory church behind and I felt quite proud to be English. Especially with a very impressed French man at the next table. He even seemed impressed by the cheese course that my wife also had.
The service is incredible. Friendly, efficient and not at all formal or intimidating.
We paid £760
Theoretically, if you went as a couple, had a £60 bottle of wine between you and a couple of £5 coffees with the petit fours you could do it for about £630. Extremely expensive but by the end of a luxurious experience, felt strangely cheap.
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