L'enclume
Chef-proprietor Simon Rogan's newly refurbished L'enclume restaurant with rooms sits in the slightly incongruous setting of the pretty village of Cartmel in the far south of the Lake District. Rogan proclaims, "rules are there to be broken" and his latest tasting menu 'Tour' showcases his particular skill at presenting a sensory experience on a plate with the likes of Egg Drop Hot and Sour Soup; Razor Role Reversal and Curry Leaf, Sweet Potato, Bourbon, Chocolate. However, that's not to say he's not utilising the best nature's got to offer too; expect his menus to feature an abundance of wild ingredients as well as a nod to Cartmel's claim to fame as the home of the Sticky Toffee Pudding. A leader not a follower, Rogan of course does his own version, preferring to call it 'Stiffy Tacky' pudding, much to the chagrin of some of the touchier locals.
Behind the stove:
Simon Rogan
What they say:
"I don't know that Simon Rogan is not the best chef in the world." Giles Coren
New dish this year:
LA11 Venison, Pine Nuts, Banana, Yuzu
Not a lot of people know that:
Rogan loves getting his chef's mitts on the latest technology, and since opening has spent £76,500 on cookers, moving from gas to half-induction to full-induction (a custom-built 2m-long hob with an electronic keypad to control it).
Cavendish Street, Cartmel, Nr Grange over Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6PZ+44 (0)1539 536 362
www.lenclume.co.uk
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