The Hideaway restaurant with rooms makes waves in Windermere

A new restaurant-with-rooms, in one of the country’s most stunning locations, is celebrating both a four yellow star, AA Highly Commended grading and an AA Red Rosette accreditation for culinary excellence, as it firmly places itself on Britain’s list of must-stay venues.

Yellow stars signify that the Windermere-based Hideaway’s accommodation is in the top ten percent of its category, black stars being the standard symbol of ranking given by this highly respected inspection scheme.

The Hideaway, at the heart of the beautiful Lake District, is not entirely surprised by this external recognition for the excellence of its product. It had already begun to create waves in Cumbria thanks to a winning combination of exquisite, mouth-watering cuisine and enticing comfy-lux accommodation conjured up by husband and wife team Richard and Lisa Gornall.

The 11 bedroom haven is perfect for visitors wishing to be near enough to the main tourism centres of Windermere and Bowness to take advantage of their many attractions, but far enough away to be unaffected by the hustle and bustle of these tourism honey-pots.

The Cumbrian venue certainly lives up to its name, tucked away in a secluded and leafy cul-de-sac where peace and quiet reign and the noise of traffic is hardly detectable.

A winter refurbishment has equipped the Victorian Lakeland home, built in 1890, with stylishly decorated rooms, each with their own distinct personality and mood. Cosy duvets, high quality furnishings, modern electrical appliances and crisp, white sheets complete the picture, ensuring the refurbished rooms complementing the restaurant are truly superb. More upgrading work will be conducted for the 2009 season.

The Red Rosette restaurant is the hub of The Hideaway, with food lovingly prepared by chef Richard, who earned his stripes amidst the Virgin empire as Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouse Food and Beverage Executive, with a world-wide remit.

Richard’s sublime food is a mouth-watering prospect for any visitor, whether they intend to stay overnight when making their reservation, or simply plump for an after dinner stay having succumbed to the wonderful cuisine – and the extensive wine list! The restaurant is also open to non-residents, ensuring there’s no excuse for not experiencing the kitchen’s exciting dishes.

Dining at The Hideaway is a sensual experience. Richard’s menus provide diners with classic, yet simple, modern British cuisine. The use of fresh, local ingredients, a sprinkling of global influences and adherence to allowing exciting flavours to emerge, makes every menu choice a talking point. Non-fussy presentation and fabulous use of texture are testimony to Richard’s art of allowing his food to speak for itself.

The menu can feature appetisers such as Lime, Coriander and Honey Chicken Salad, Salmon & Cod Tartar Fishcake and Goosnargh Duck Liver Pâté and Hideaway Chutney, whilst main events can be Fell Bred Beef Fillet, Char Grilled Tuna Steak with Soy and Chilli and Lancashire Cheese and Apple Soufflé Tart.

Desserts are also wonderful affairs with The Hideaway’s Chocolate Brownie Sundae having already acquired a fan-base across the South Lakes. A secret recipe makes the brownies the lightest and gooeyist most people have ever tasted, whilst a handmade chocolate sauce and crushed chocolate sprinkle, along with delicious vanilla and chocolate ice-cream, top the dish off to perfection.

Despite all these wow factors, The Hideaway has a rare-to-find charm and warmth, with Lisa’s front-of-house, hands-on approach being the touch that makes a stay such a memorable experience.

The Hideaway (thehideawayatwindermere.co.uk) is a true hidden gem for those lucky enough to seek it out and sure to be one playing a starring role in The Lake District in the years to come.