The Cottage in the Wood ( 2 )

A Tuesday evening return trip to `The Cottage in the Wood` , Braithwaite in the heart of the English Lake district. I decided to go for the a la carte this time as the Summer Tasting menu was still running from my last visit in April. Warm welcomes and friendly smiles all around set the standard as soon as i entered the restaurant. It`s good to see smiles and it put me in a great mood from the off.
There`s two choices at dinner here. The first choice is the 8 courseTasting menu which apparently will be changing with the seasons. This menu is currently running at £ 60. The a la carte menu offers a second choice at £45 for 3 courses and consists of 4 starters , 4 mains , 4 desserts. Not a great deal of choice but with a small team operating out of a tiny kitchen and putting quality food on the plates then this is totally understandable.
The head chef young Chris Archer is now settled in and it`s obvious that his previous employers have carved him into a bit of a perfectionist in the kitchen. As i mentioned in my last Cottage post ( HERE ) Chris comes with a good C.V having worked at Midsummer house , Winterningham fields and Yorke arms…enough said….On with the food.

Canapes

Strawberry Gazpacho with Black pudding and Croutons

Cottage in the Wood Sourdough and Wholemeal Breads.

Cured Local Salmon – Yorkshire Asparagus, Almond , Olive , Apple

Cartmel Valley Duck Terrine – Apricot-Vanilla, Pistachio

Seared Scallop – Satay, Radish, Lime

West Coast Crab – ‘Caesar salad’

Herdwick Hogget – Curthwaite Goats curd, Artichoke , Courgette, Basil

Whitehaven Turbot – Roasted Cauliflower, Wild Asparagus, Girolles, Mussel nage

Lorton Lop Pork – Black pudding, Cider glazed Potato confit, Carrot-mustard

Trifle – Jefferson’s Rum, Mango, Mint

Mint Panna Cotta – Raspberry textures, Pink Ginger, Almond

Apricot Delice – Poached Apricot , Lemon curd , Earl grey

Palet D’Or – Carvetii Coffee aerated Chocolate Hazelnut

So to sum Cottage in the Wood up on my second visit, it`s much the same as my first time there. A stunning location in the heart of the Lake district National park and an amazing escape from the perils of city life. A `must go to` destination for lovers of nature , walking , photography , food and basically lovers in general. Great service from genuinely nice people. A small but well thought out and reasonably priced wine selection with some nice wines available by the glass. The food – well i think the photos speak for themselves really. I would have liked to have seen more choice and some new dishes on the a la carte but what`s on there is all faultless, very well cooked and presented.
Only one negative ( for me ) and that`s the same as my last visit ……Cmon guys , and get some Wild food on to those plates.The forest is alive and it`s right outside the front door , it`s like walking into a Wild Supermarket. Chris….I`ll get you a foraging book for Chrimbo.
For those on a budget then there`s a very well priced lunch menu on , 2 starters , 2 mains , 2 desserts at £20.95 for 2 courses and £25.95 for 3 courses….No excuse not to go really.