1863 Bar Bistro Rooms, an award-winning Lake District bistro set in the heart of Pooley Bridge, has just launched a new six-course Tasting Menu and accompanying wine ‘flights’ designed to surprise and delight food-lovers from around the county and beyond.
The young and ambitious kitchen team is lead by Phil Corrie, a dynamic and inventive graduate of Kendal College. When asked ‘why now?’ was the right time to launch a Tasting Menu, Phil commented: “We’ve run a regular series of Tasting Evenings for the past 18 months and they seem to have really struck a chord with our customers. So we decided to take it to the next level and introduce a Tasting Menu. It complements our A la Carte menu as it allows our customers to experience more of our dishes as well as to try dishes that our exclusive to the Tasting Menu.”
Restaurant Tasting Menus have been growing in popularity over the last few years. 1863’s Tasting Menu is available every evening for up to eight people and guests can expect creative seasonal dishes that contrast texture and temperature.
Asked about where he takes inspiration from, the Head Chef said: “We’re so fortunate to have such wonderful quality local produce on our doorstep and in our hedgerows, I literally keep an eye for what’s looking great and create dishes around that. And I have to confess to having a bit of an obsession for recipe books – I must have at least 200 books at home ranging from modernist bibles like Reni Redzepi and Noma to my Nanna’s heirlooms.”
In just two years since opening in May 2016, 1863 has quickly made a name for itself as a venue and team that punch above their weight. Not only have they secured an AA Rosette, but 1863 were also Cumbria Tourism Awards finalists and won the Cumbria Life Food and Drink ‘Readers’ Choice Award earlier this year.
Previously known as Elm House Bed and Breakfast, 1863’s owners, Mark and Anne Vause, moved to the area from Blackburn in 2008 and spent eight years running the award-winning B&B. In November 2015, the entrepreneurial couple had already made the ambitious decision to close to undertake a £500,000 refurbishment project and relaunch in early Summer 2016 as 1863 Bar Bistro Rooms. Despite the dreadful storms of Winter 2015/16 and ensuing challenges, the establishment opened on time and on budget in late May.
1863 Bar Bistro Rooms is located in the heart of Pooley Bridge, just a stone’s throw from Ullswater. The bistro opens at 6pm daily. Tasting Menus MUST be booked at least 24 hours in advance either online or by calling 017684 86334.
For further information, gift vouchers, all the latest menus and to book, visit www.1863ullswater.co.uk.
