“My favourite outside London” says a fan of Pennyhill Park and its flagship Latymer restaurant. The elegant dining room has benefited hugely from a recent makeover, while fans think that chef Matt Worswick (one of SquareMeal’s ‘rising UK stars’ a couple of years back) “has really taken his menus to another level” in recent months. The result is sheer perfection in every department.
Food-wise, expect a succession of breathtakingly beautiful dishes presented via a series of tasting extravaganzas in the modern idiom, with fabulous offerings ranging from a pairing of Colchester oysters, which sees the molluscs poached and served with pickled apple, Attilus Oscietra caviar and marigolds, to a dessert of Yorkshire rhubarb and vanilla bavarois, hibiscus poached rhubarb and ginger beer. In between, there are even more “elegantly plated” Michelin-starred masterpieces – perhaps salt-baked celeriac, rémoulade, lovage and truffle Wild mushroom risotto with malt vinegar rice and parmesan or Roasted duck breast, seared duck liver, Waldorf salad and wholegrain mustard jus. If after all that you could squeeze in another bite there’s also always the option to add a cheeseboard, which comes packed with artisan European cheeses and all those little extra bits.
This is “incredible, creative and generous food” out of the top drawer. Meals are fleshed out with snacks and mini-courses, while the prestigious Pennyhill Park wine cellar provides “exceptional” drinking across the range. Knowledgeable service also strikes exactly the right note, without putting on airs and graces – “the chefs even came out to have a chat and go through the dishes”, noted one contented soul.
Ranging from five to ten courses, the tasting menus are a considerable price, but offer good value for money when you consider the work gone into each dish behind the scenes. Five courses at dinner will cost you £69, while ten courses cost £100 per person.