A new chapter for Whatley Manor

A new chapter is unfolding at Whatley Manor, as the intimate surroundings of The Dining Room, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, have been completely refurbished. The fresh new look offers a sumptuous mix of Italian silks, luxurious velvets and discreet lighting that complements the understated elegance of the hotel’s unique style, and also sets the scene for Head Chef, Martin Burge to present exquisite menus of his highly acclaimed Michelin starred classical French cuisine, with a distinctly modern interpretation.

The new design has been personally overseen by Alix Landolt who owns and re-created Whatley Manor together with her son Christian. Taking inspiration from the warm, honey coloured hews of the hotel’s Cotswold stone exterior, the new interiors offer a warm and neutral palette accented by the new lighting and sumptuous furnishings.

These can be seen in the warmth of the strand woven bamboo floor, and are carried through to the muted tones of the walls, which are illuminated with discreet recessed lighting that bathe the wall and accentuate the Art Vogue mirrors and specially commissioned works by the artist John Casey.

The room is further illuminated with discreet ceiling lighting. The mouth blown glass chandeliers by Melograno blu provide a focal point in the Orangerie of The Dining Room. Rubelli silk curtains, reflect the natural tones of the room and give a luminous feel against the mullioned stone windows and Collinet chairs with rich velvet navy, claret and beige stripes set in a mahogany and gold frame present an elegant design statement, whilst also providing extremely comfortable seating.

The Dining Room is designed for up to 40 covers and is open for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday, serving an á la carte menu and a seven course tasting menu including additional courses designed to enhance the meal. The dining experience begins from the moment guests take their aperitif in the hotel bar or by the fire in the oak panelled Drawing Room.

From here the experienced waiting staff guide guests through an imaginative gastronomic journey, starting with a selection of seasonal canapés that stimulate and delight all the senses, with enticing flavours and contrasting textures that might include a fois gras mousse with redcurrant jelly and hazelnut croutons or a poached quails egg with smoked eel and kipper foam.

Moving through to The Dining Room, the actual meal begins with a pre-starter, such as ‘Cepe Cappuccino with Parmesan Bon Bon and White Truffle Oil’, accompanied by the homely comfort of freshly baked bread.

A choice of starters includes succulent ‘Hand Dived Scallops’ with a dazzling green parsley foam or a series of ‘Snails’, each one individually served and topped with red wine sauce and infused with veal kidney.

Main courses provide a choice of well balanced and seasonal dishes including loin of wild boar, from the Real Boar Company located in the Cotswolds. This is tenderly roasted, dressed and braised with belly of pork and sweetened with cauliflower puree and braised Grelot onions. Alternatively, local Beef Fillet is roasted and dressed with braised shoulder, crusted with bread crumbs and caramelised onion tatin.

Pre-desserts cut through any richness and refresh the palette with a zing of lime and yoghurt mousse and a hazelnut ice cream. The dessert menu also offers a series of surprises, including Lemon ravioli served with pink grapefruit, lime jelly and topped with vanilla foam or pink rhubarb soufflé is lightly dressed with glazed strawberries and crème fraiche ice cream.

Commenting on the new interior of The Dining Room, Peter Egli, General Manager said “The hotel has been richly praised for its cuisine and our aim with the refurbishment of The Dining Room was to reflect the way in which the food has developed in the last four and a half years. It has taken many months of careful planning to create the design that we have today and we hope that this new look will accentuate the culinary experience for all of our guests”.

Martin Burge commented “We are all very excited and inspired by the new look of The Dining Room and in particular, the positive impact that the new lighting scheme will have upon the presentation of the dishes. For me the overall Dining Room experience is incredibly important and this is now enhanced by the new design”.

The À la carte menu in the Dining Room costs from £65 per person. The seven course tasting menu is £80 per person. Wine matching alongside the Tasting menu is £140. A one night stay at Whatley Manor costs from £285 for a standard room including bed and breakfast and 10% discretionary service charge and VAT, plus use of the award winning spa Aquarias and £290 from 1st July 2008.

For further information and to book visit the website at Whatleymanor.com.