Dorset is home to some of the finest restaurants in the country with menus ranging from traditional home style cooking, award winning fine dining cuisine to its widely popular afternoon cream teas. The county is fortunate in having a widespread abundance and diversity of fresh local produce most of which finds its way to the tables of the top restaurants throughout the area ensuring diners of a pleasurable and unique eating experience.
The Print Room – Richmond Hill, Bournemouth
This fabulous Art Deco Grade II listed building, once the home of the Daily Echo, has undergone a £2m re-furbishment programme in which all of the period features have been revived and restored. Designed by London architects David Archer and Julie Humphryes, what was once the original printing press room and reception area has now been totally transformed into a sleek and modern restaurant and bar. Very much reminiscent of the 1930′s era and in keeping with the building’s original and distinctive Art Deco architecture, high ceilings have been retained with numerous Swarovski crystal chandeliers added along with a mirror-backed bar and classic terrazzo black and white flooring. As well as offering an exclusive European cuisine, the Print Room also features an authentic and comprehensive charcuterie, with a range of fresh products sourced from the highest quality producers. In addition to the brasserie and charcuterie, the former printing press room also comprises a patisserie and bakery, delicatessen bar, grand cafe and a bar area called Ink, which offers fast lunch-time food mainly for the business market.
Langtry’s Restaurant – Derby Road, Bournemouth
Located within the Langtry Manor Hotel, a royal establishment previously owned and occupied by King Edward VII and his mistress Lillie Langtry, Langtry’s restaurant boasts an exclusive cuisine dedicated to those who are passionate about gourmet dining. Extremely popular for birthday or anniversary celebrations, the minstrel’s gallery with its stained glass windows and period chandeliers overlooking the main dining room offers semi-private dining for up to eighteen guests. Available for a more intimate and private dining experience, the Gladstone room is a smaller restaurant able to accommodate six to sixteen people with facilities to host private parties. The newly designed Royal Suite with French windows opening onto the south facing patio and sunken garden is a suite of three rooms with private bar which can accommodate up to one hundred and fifty guests. The large inglenook fireplace and sixteenth century hand-woven tapestries provides the perfect setting for the Edwardian Banquet held every Saturday evening. Six courses consisting of the finest in British cuisine, all of which is presented and served by staff in Edwardian costume.
Summer Lodge Restaurant – Evershot
The restaurant, located within the Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, is headed by Executive Chef Steven Titman, former chef at one of America’s top ten hotel restaurants, the renowned White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport, York County, Maine. Not only was the Summer Lodge restaurant nominated Best Out of Town Restaurant by Tatler in 2005, but has also been described as one of the eight best restaurants in the UK by the Hardens 2007 guide. Cuisine is traditional English fare combined with a hint of modern European, with most of the ingredients sourced from the abundant supply of fine produce that is found in Dorset. According to Wine Spectator, cellar master Eric Zwiebel, runner-up in the Best Sommelier of the World competition in 2007, has one of the most outstanding restaurant wine lists in the world. Every month Chef Steven Titman and Eric Zwiebel join forces in the now extremely famous Summer Lodge Wine Dinners. Focus is on a selected house or style, with a guest speaker present to inform and entertain diners. A four course dinner follows especially created by Steven Titman to complement the various wines showcased during the evening. These special Wine Dinner evenings begin at 7.00 pm with aperitifs and dinner is served from 7.30 pm.
