Farlam Hall Restaurant
Sarah Catherine Jones
When it comes to quality food and drink, Cumbria is up there with the best regions in the country – and Farlam Hall certainly knows how to hold its own.
Located in Brampton, Farlam Hall rotates its restaurant between two offerings: on Sunday – Thursday, you’ll be visiting Bistro Enkel, which serves up classic dishes in a relaxed setting. On Wednesday – Saturday, the restaurant provides a polished Michelin-star experience at The Cedar Tree.
The man behind the star is the ever-talented Hrishikesh Desai, a familiar face on Great British Menu. After becoming chef patron of Farlam Hall in February 2023, he managed to achieve a Michelin star and 3 AA Rosettes in just 12 months.
Sustainability and quality ingredients are the top priority here. With help from gardener Penny, Hrishikesh has an impressive kitchen garden that features everything from courgettes and chard to tomatoes and apples. And these humble ingredients are the stars of the show.
Bistro Enkel offers the comfort of snacks, starters, mains and desserts. The treasures from the garden are weaved through the menu; the refined scallop starter is served with a pistou (a cross between a soup and a stew) of vegetables, while the melt-in-the-mouth chicken is served with the most delightful sugar snap peas you’ll ever come across.
At The Cedar Tree, you’ll be served intriguing snacks such as garbanzo bean ‘chaat’ and garden courgette tempura before getting stuck into the more attention-grabbing dishes. Look out for the excellent garden tomato dish, consisting of tomato and lemon granita, tomato and spiced jelly, as well as the masterful spiced beef Wellington with tandoori jus.
Those with a sweet tooth will go wild for the tasting menu desserts; there’s the addictive sweet apple, tarragon and mint granita, and the garden raspberries three ways, accompanied by chocolate and galangal set cream and pistachio cake. And if you’re not full to bursting at this point, you can sample some petit fours, including financier cake and lavender chocolates.
But it’s not just about the food. It’s about the ambience too. The renovated dining room is everything you’d expect from a luxury country hotel; think high ceilings, garden views, and a few opulent touches. You’ll be looked after by attentive staff, who are friendly, professional, and know the extensive wine list inside out.
Hrishikesh and his team have almost a boundless level of creativity, finding new ways to elevate their humble garden ingredients into something remarkable.
