A new look has been unveiled for the rooms and restaurant at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, in the heart of West Sussex.
Inspired by the gastronomic experiences found in South Africa’s Cape Winelands – from where estate owner Penny Streeter OBE hails – guests at Leonardslee can expect a multi-course tasting menu, featuring foraged and local seasonal ingredients, as well as a hotel set in a 240-acre estate of gardens, lakes and the UK’s first Pinotage vineyard.
Designed by native South African Chef Jean Delport, Michelin-starred Restaurant Interlude is located in a 19th century Grade II listed Italianate mansion with panoramic views across the estate and beyond.
The dining experience promises to be like a country house dinner party. On arriving guests are greeted in the hallway with piano music and sculptures by Anton Smit. Following cocktails and snacks in the bar, diners are seated in the restaurant for a gastronomic journey through the flavours and textures of the woodland gardens at Leonardslee.
The seasonally-changing menu – of up to 21 courses – features dishes such as bracken fiddleheads, pine and burnt butter; brown choux with dandelion and hazelnut; rabbit eats carrot; middle white pork with lobster and wild garlic; estate deer, and Leonardslee honey, salted caramel and whisky.
Curated by Head Sommelier Ndosi Gumede, the fine-dining restaurant also features award-winning wines from owner Penny’s family-run South African vineyard, Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate in Hermanus.
Other gastronomic offerings include a range of afternoon teas, bespoke picnics to enjoy in the gardens, in-depth tutored wine tastings, and educational tours on English wine-growing around the 3.1-acre Pinotage vineyard – the first English wine will be released next year.
Restaurant Interlude Sample Menu £145 per person, www.restaurant-interlude.co.uk
Afternoon Tea www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk/afternoon-tea-at-leonardslee-house
Prices start from £350 per night in a Classic Room.
https://www.leonardsleegardens.co.uk/leonardslee-house