Set within a picturesque 17th-century manor house, Lytton's Restaurant in the Mercure Letchworth Hall Hotel offers a dining experience that balances historic character with a fresh, modern approach to food, atmosphere and decor in Hertfordshire. Located in Letchworth Garden City, the restaurant takes over the hotel’s great hall, where richly stained wooden beams and original features meet quirky design with colourful, contemporary furnishings, suspended greenery and the soft glow of chandeliers. It’s an up-market yet relaxed setting, equally suited to a leisurely dinner or a more special occasion.
The menu leans into international cuisine, with a focus on seasonal ingredients and sometimes unexpected combinations. Starters set the tone with dishes such as oak smoked Scottish salmon, paired with chive cream cheese, pickled onion and cucumber, served alongside grilled sourdough. The chicken, apricot and pancetta terrine offers something more indulgent, complemented by cornichons and piccalilli, while a tomato and basil gnocchi provides a lighter, plant-led option, lifted by heritage tomatoes and basil oil.
As for main courses, the rosemary and garlic lamb rump is a sure-fire winner and arrives with dauphinoise potatoes, buttered greens and a rich lamb sauce, while the farmhouse chicken features a creamy leek stuffing, served with gnocchi and a pancetta and mushroom fricassee. For something from the sea, the red pesto seabass is paired with herby new potatoes and green vegetables, offering a lighter (but still tasty) option.
Sides such as skin-on fries, chunky chips and market greens allow for a bit of customisation, while desserts round things off on a high note. A chocolate fondant with caramel biscuit ice cream and dulce de leche leans into indulgence, while a British cheeseboard showcases regional favourites including Somerset Brie, Stilton and Devonshire Cheddar. The apple crumble tart, served with vanilla ice cream, custard and fresh berries, offers both a rich end to the meal and a touch of tartness - to really cut through.