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See also Aulis at L'Enclume: Billing itself as a "unique and interactive dining experience going ‘behind the scenes’ of L’Enclume’s kitchen", Aulis has just six seats, is open only on Friday evening and Saturdays, and has one menu, at £150. A veritable 'bucket list' chef's table experience.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Wonderful! Have been coming here since 2005 and this was the best food I’ve had, fully deserving its third star!” – Simon Rogan’s converted blacksmith’s workshop was, in 2022, the first restaurant in the North to achieve a third Michelin gong, and it’s impressive that – despite its remote Lakeland location – it is nowadays the second most commented-on destination in our annual diners’ poll outside of London. Head chef Paul Burgalieres marshalls the finest local produce – much of it from Simon’s ‘Our Farm’ on the surrounding hillsides – to provide “a symphony of beautifully orchestrated food” in a 17-course meal offering “a completely faultless experience that’s luxurious in its ingredients, cooking, time and space”. Another positive is the “smooth and welcoming service” with “immensely impressive teamwork from the staff from start to finish”. Of course, the cost is “exorbitant”, but for most diners it delivers “everything that was hoped for”: “was it worth the journey? Absolutely!” – “100% we would go back”. (“Second visit in less than twelve months… was able to really enjoy the food without being overawed which you do get on the first visit as everything is so exquisite. Cannot fault. If I could afford the outlay I’d be going more often!”)
Summary
“Well deserving of its third Michelin star” – Simon Rogan’s culinary mecca in the Lakes celebrated its 20th year by becoming the first restaurant north of Watford Gap to achieve the Tyre Men’s top gong (and was the second-most commented-on destination in our survey after the somewhat more accessibly located Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons). “17 courses of stunning food might seem somewhat excessive, but this remote and unique destination is certainly ‘vaut le detour’” and few top establishments in our annual diners’ poll achieve such consistent support from diners. “There seems to be no end to Simon Rogan's creativity” and – with head chef Paul Burgalieres – the kitchen delivers “unmatched seasonal food with true integrity” and “exceptionally beautiful” flavours, using produce from Rogan’s own farm. (“Not a single bite is not surprising and delicious”; “as quite a picky eater I was amazed as I ate course after course containing items I usually wouldn't eat and yet they were all simply out of this world!”). “The team is so well drilled that it’s like watching a ballet” and while the overall effect can seem “formal”, the “staff obviously enjoy working there”. “One of our most memorable experiences ever!”
Summary
“What a stunning culinary experience in a lovely part of the world” – Simon Rogan’s inspired Lakeland “epic” is “absolutely the best culinary adventure ever” for very many reporters. It occupies a converted smithy in a beautiful and remote Lakeland village, and is often tipped as a place for a romantic milestone (“you must really love the person you've taken, given the time and effort it takes to get there!”). On practically all accounts, though, the results are “worth the long trip” – a 16-course menu providing “some of the best seasonal joy you can eat in England, served up in a divinely inventive manner, full of fresh edible flowers, and non-edible rocks and pebbles” (and with a significant proportion of the produce coming from Rogan’s own farm in the surrounding countryside). Cuisine of this type can seem “complex” and rather “technical” but such thoughts are seldom voiced and most accounts are of a “stunning journey for the senses”.
Summary
“Phenomenal… superb… food, wine, service: everything was magical. Please go!”. Simon Rogan’s “Fat Duck of the North” inspired stunningly consistent reports last year, practically all of them unadulterated hymns of praise, and collectively confirming its position as one of the country’s very top gastronomic destinations. A converted smithy in an out-of-the-way village, it has such a “cute” and “beautiful” location and a “very romantic” interior to match. Superlatives abound in descriptions of its “engaging and surprising” tasting menus: “sixteen courses providing incredible mouthfuls of pure culinary bliss with every element utterly excellent”. “Highly recommended if you’re in the Lakes… or not!”
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at L’Enclume?
Cavendish Street, Cartmel, LA11 6QA
Restaurant details
L’Enclume Restaurant Diner Reviews
"We've tried this restaurant twice in the last two years and have been slightly disappointed both times. Our last visit was in April 24 and although some of the food was excellent particularly the early starter portions. The duck main course and a couple of the other courses just weren't at the same standard."
"My best ever restaurant experience. Polished to perfection."
"The best restaurant in the country.. we’ve never had better.. incredible ingredients.. a mind blowing 18 course of food perfection. The staff and service was perfect. Set in a stunning setting in a beautiful village. Everything was perfect"
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
Cavendish Street, Cartmel, LA11 6QA
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑12 am |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑12 am |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑12 am |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑12 am |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑12 am |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6:30 pm‑12 am |
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