SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel

International, Modern European·
££££
·
Gold Award
·

SquareMeal Review of SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel

Gold Award

The Gilpin Hotel was long synonymous with Hrishikesh Desai and his highly-regarded restaurant HRiSHi. The flagship has now become SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel, and the hotel has pulled off a bit of a coup in tempting ultra-talented chef Ollie Bridgwater to Cumbria, after a decade spent at The Fat Duck in Bray.

This five-star, family-run hotel has a great reputation for good reason - this is easily one of the most friendly, welcoming teams we’ve ever come across. From being greeted to being waved off in a taxi, the SOURCE team - and indeed, the wider hotel too - are exceptional.

The room is equally homely and comforting, split into a cosy lounge and bar and a pair of dining rooms. There’s also a lovely al fresco terrace - very inviting on Windermere’s sunny days where you can sit with a drink and a snack and, if you’re lucky, visit with some nearby alpacas. We find ourselves in the more intimate dining room, which has a fantastic buzz and retains some lovely old-school charm thanks to starched white tablecloths and smart, besuited service.

SOURCE’s tasting menu kicks off with a bit of Fat Duck-esque magic - a gin and tonic, housed inside a sphere of cucumber jelly, so that it pops in your mouth as you eat it. It’s a signal of more innovation to come. Chilled herb gazpacho with scallop and pickled radish is a palate-zinging wake up, accompanied by the crunch of a smoked eel tapioca cracker on the side. A delicate piece of roast native lobster - cooked over the coals of a konro grill - is served with a rich satay sauce; a combination of sweet, earthy and creamy that comes off with top marks.

SOURCE still delivers some tried-and-tested comforts too, whether it’s an impeccable Parker House roll with whipped bone marrow, or a pleasing and perfectly-cooked dish of beef, onion, wild garlic and ale with a stuffed morel. The desserts don’t falter either - and it’s all accompanied by an excellent wine pairing that ventures away from the norms. Bridgwater has only been here for less than six months upon our visit - on the basis of this early form, this could easily become one of the very best restaurants in the Lake District.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - Over £80
Cuisines
International, Modern European
Ambience
Fine dining, Glamorous, Luxury, Quiet conversation, Romantic, Widely spaced tables
Awards
One Michelin star, SquareMeal UK Top 100
Food Occasions
Dinner
Special Features
Vegan options, Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Romantic, Special occasions

About

The Gilpin group spans two five-star hotels in the Lake District, just a mile from one another and both nestled in some of the area's most beautiful scenery with thick woodland and, of course, breathtaking lakes.

The Gilpin Hotel is set in 21 acres of lush countryside and benefits from a Champagne bar, rooms with private hot tubs and en suite spas, as well as two restaurants - Gilpin Spice and SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel.

SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel is headed-up by Executive Chef Ollie Bridgewater (formerly of Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck) and boasts a Michlein star. Here, diners can expect a focus on exquisite produce, distinct flavours, seasonality, sustainability, and precision. Combine all this with exceptional service and you'll find a fun and fine dining experience. 

The restaurant offers two different menus, both with a strong focus on using the very best ingredients. The ‘ORIGIN’ menu offers a shorter dining experience for guests to enjoy, acting as something of an introduction to the restaurant's concept. The ‘SOURCE’ menu, on the other hand, takes diners on the complete, immersive journey. With a sustainable ethos comes a daily changing menu - ensuring to keep it fresh whilst still always encompassing the seasonality and skill as expected from the SOURCE kitchen.

Both menus can be tailored to your tastes with a choice of starter, main course and dessert, allowing you to align these Michelin menus to match your personal tastes and preferences. For those looking for something a bit lighter, a new lunch-tasting menu is available on Fridays and Saturdays.


FAQs

Who is Ollie Bridgewater?

He was a sous chef at The Fat Duck for 14 years and is now head chef of SOURCE.

Helpful? 0

Are there vegan options?

Yes, there is a plant-based tasting menu available.

Helpful? 0

This venue also offers

Gilpin Spice
Restaurant

Gilpin Spice

Gilpin Lake House
Wedding Venues

Gilpin Lake House

Location

Crook Road, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3NE

01539 488818 01539 488818

Website

Opening Times

Dinner
Mon 18:00-20:30
Tue 18:00-20:30
Wed 18:00-20:30
Thu 18:00-20:30
Fri 18:00-20:30
Sat 18:00-20:30
Sun 18:00-20:30

Reviews

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2 Reviews 

Rosanna C

29 March 2019  
The best restaurant in the lake district - Michelin starred restaurant at The Gilpin.

Valérie C W

21 March 2018  
Great food, service, decor and ambience.
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Call SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel to make a booking on:

01539 488818 01539 488818

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