Tweet

A CELEBRATION OF WOODFIRED COOKING

A new evening-only eatery has opened in Winchester, The Wellhouse at Lainston House. Expect immersive eating and drinking where the skill of woodfired cooking and home grown produce come together with the very best of local field, farm, forest and fly, all overseen by talented Executive Chef Phil Yeomans.

Celebrating the former life of the listed building – also home to Season cookery school – The Wellhouse is set in historic, rustic-luxe surroundings complete with an idyllic walled kitchen garden, which will play host to private dinners and events. The new restaurant brings a year-round, unique food, drink and social experience to Hampshire, celebrating the bounties of cooking over fire.

Executive Chef Phil Yeomans comments, ‘Having spent the last year mastering new woodfire and barbecue techniques, meeting producers and watching the kitchen garden mature, I couldn’t be more excited to unveil The Wellhouse to locals, hotel guests and beyond. It’s a truly unique dining experience and I know many a great time will be had in the restaurant in the months and years ahead.’

The Wellhouse takes inspiration from the hotel’s impressive kitchen garden as well as the exceptional produce found in the county including meat, fish, dairy, wines and spirits. Seasonally changing menus include snacks of Woodfired Lainston kale crisps, smoked paprika, Dorset sea salt; and Scorched

Lainston garden asparagus spears, garden romesco. Followed by heartier dishes of Cedar plank seared Chalk Stream trout, fennel, pak choi, honey & ginger; and Prime Angus sirloin steak tagliata, chimichurri, fired scorched pepper, rocket, 36-month aged parmesan. Stand-out sharing platters alsofeature Wood flame grilled whole Portland lobster, Lyburn cheese & mustard glaze; or Tuscan grilled prime Aberdeen Angus porterhouse steak, apple oak smoked salt. Desserts fall in line with the themewith Woodfired scorched garden raspberry ‘Baked Alaska’; Lainston garden strawberry & basil trifle, shaved Caramac, cracking crystals; and Lainston orchard apple pizza, XO caramel sauce, cinnamon mascarpone.

The restaurant is open for dinner only, welcoming guests and the local community for intimate dates, family get togethers or fun filled sharing platters for groups. Local wines, ales and Lainston apple ciders, homegrown garden-inspired cocktails and signature serves feature on the drinks list – including ‘shandygaffs’, a long forgotten and very traditional English shandy, whereby the ale is enhanced by the option to mix it with a ginger beer top and a shot of kitchen garden cordial.

The creation of The Wellhouse as an entirely new dining concept at Lainston House form part of Exclusive Collection’s wider commitment to reinvesting back into the properties and creating truly original concepts that appeal to their local audience as well as hotel guests. All this whilst the doors have remained closed and ahead of the anticipated busy summer months ahead.

Set in the ground of the glorious Grade II listed 17th century manor, Lainston House, The Wellhouse joins restaurant, The Avenue, renowned for its modern fine dining menu championing seasonal produce.

Dine at The Wellhouse and stay overnight at Lainston House from £302, inclusive of breakfast and based on two sharing.

The Wellhouse is open daily from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, with family hotel guests invited to dine from 5.30pm during school holidays. An experience menu is available for £60 per person or guests can order a la carte.

www.thewellhouserestaurant.co.uk