Set within the rolling hills of the Mendips in the Bristol countryside, the Michelin Green starred ‘The Ethicurean’, co-owned by Matthew Pennington with Chef Mark McCabe, is one of the most picturesque and tranquil dining experiences in the UK and a perfect sunshine dining destination. On warmer days, guests can look over the sun-drenched walled garden whilst basking in the beautifully bright converted greenhouse that is the restaurant itself.
The Ethicurean experience starts the moment you walk through the front gates. With much of it kept a secret, diners are kept tantalised and surprised throughout their meal. The restaurant, bar and terrace menus use produce from the entire site, including the gardens and orchards. It truly is the most magical place to make the most out of a warm and sunny day.
Guests can choose the lunch menu (£75pp), which is a celebration of all that grows within the walled garden and is an incredible two-and-a-half-hour affair. Expect freshly baked bread, ferments, several courses & sweet treats.
The full Ethicurean Experience (£150pp) is even longer at four hours and is served for dinner. For this gastronomic experience, guests are greeted at the gates with an arrival drink, and then it is onto what can best be described as a true Ethicurean feast.
Taking 80-90% of all their fruit, veg and herbs from the Victorian walled garden and orchard, which the restaurant overlooks, and produce sourced and foraged locally, The Ethicurean stays true to its ethos of British seasonality and cultivation.
It uses the very best of its own natural larder to make truly beautiful, exciting and delicious dishes. Everything is made in-house, from homemade miso to their vinegar to replace citrus. Even the crockery comes from the hands of local potters.
Mark, who did much of his professional training at the great River Cottage, meets with the Head Gardener multiple times a week to ensure their menus align perfectly with what is growing around them.
Although both the lunch and dinner menus are kept a surprise for guests, diners can expect dishes such as Mushroom Broth & Lovage Oil; Onion, Whey, Blackcurrant Wood; Lamb, Asparagus, Nettle and Koji Madeleine.
It’s not only the food that pays homage to the surroundings of The Ethicurean, their ‘Libations’ menu is a celebration of the natural landscape. Great care is taken in their drinks pairings that complement and elevate the dishes served.
Showcasing a mix of the best natural & biodynamic wines, cocktails and their “no & low” drinks pairings, diners can look forward to hyper-seasonal cocktails such as Fig and Oak Old-Fashioned, Sea Buckthorn Margarita and Marigold Negroni.
Their growers and producers are of the utmost importance to Mark, Matthew and the rest of their team, and they have held incredibly close relationships with these local artisans for years. From Head Gardener Mark Cox to the local cheese makers.
The meat and fish they showcase on the menu are sourced from the very best sustainable suppliers around the UK, and the fish is predominantly killed ‘ikejime’, giving them the best possible quality of produce to celebrate.
The Ethicurean Experience
Wednesday – Saturday Dinner: 17:00 – 19:30
The Ethicurean Lunch
Saturday lunch: 12:00 – 12:45
Sunday Lunch: 12:00 – 15:30
Address:
The Ethicurean
Barley Wood Walled Garden
Wrington
Bristol
BS40 5SA
Tel: 01934 245 888
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