L'enclume Restaurant with Rooms Reviews

I have to state from the off that I'm no expert when it comes to food but I've never shied away from trying new experiences. I therefore looked forward to my first experience of a Michelin starred restaurant with a great deal of excitement and a completely open mind. This was a birthday treat for my wife and we visited on Saturday lunchtime. I had asked my wife to disregard any prices she might see on the menu as I wanted to discourage her from ordering the 3 course option - it may have been her birthday but I wanted the full experience! She opted for menu 1 which consisted of 8 courses. I'm not going to describe each course, partly because others have done it before me and partly because I couldn't do them justice, suffice to say that each plate, glass, slate and bowl was stunning both in presentation and taste. We now both know what the television 'experts' are on about when they describe the taste sensations they experience. We found ourselves talking like Masterchef judges(!) and our conversation was centred solely around the food and our fabulous surroundings.

The members of staff were attentive and very helpful and despite our 'Berni Inn' credentials we didn't feel intimidated in any way. This was a wonderful experience from start to finish - we felt sated without feeling full and left knowing that we would soon be returning, perhaps for the 3 course lunch. If you are of the 'I could eat a horse' persuasion then there are other establishments in Cartmel which you may be better off patronising, but for culinary excellence and an experience to savour for a long while afterwards you have to visit L'enclume.

We had the 'tour' taster menu of around 14/15 courses and I highly recommend it. Highlights include dehydration/ rehydration, gorgonzola chips, Greek meatballs, amazing texture less tzatziki, foie gras ice cream, stiffy tacky pudding, Surrealists nitro slammer, langoustine, tamarind, peanut, asafoetida and not forgetting my favourite - whim 01.

My only potential criticism could be that some of the main course sections lulled, but only because the menu had started so well. Thankfully, the desserts woke me up again. And the excellent wine list sent me off to bed.Service was excellent, not pretentious or lacking in any way as I had read on other reviews prior to visiting. We also stayed over and I can recommend the rooms.

All in all, we left feeling full, happy and looking forward to coming back.

I can understand that it's not what some people want from a restaurant, hence some negative reviews on the internet, but if you want a three course meal, go to a pub around the corner. Expect a tastier menu, and a few amazing, unexpected tastes at that.

Having read the reviews for L’Enclume, we were very excited to be visiting our first Michelin star restaurant. Whilst the surroundings and staff were very pleasant, we were not happy with the current taster menu. We opted for the mid-range taster menu - 14/15 courses at over £50, which started with a foie gras scented lollipop, followed by a series of courses which were meant to stimulate the senses. However, the result was a series of courses which confused and even put off some of my senses. We have spoken to several persons who have previously visited this restaurant and they gave the restaurant a glowing report. Whilst at the restaurant, we spoke to several other guests who all seemed to agree that the best course seemed to be the cheese-board. I would certainly consider the three course meal option, just to provide a comparison, but I would recommend that the chef stop trying to push the culinary envelope. I’d also suggest taking a look at the menu beforehand.

We had stayed in the house for one night then changed to the garden room for the second night. We had dinner both nights and had a ball, can't tell you how good this place was. Rooms were lovely and dreamy; food was out of this world. The staff were kind, friendly, helpful, funny and very human. We even got to go into the kitchen and meet Simon and he signed our menu. My husband and I had a great weekend I'm sorry it's over so quick.

As a chef I try to dine out as often as I can but as any chef will tell you getting the time is not always easy. When I do get the chance I aim for top end restaurants. So often I find myself spending over £120 per person and at the end of my meal feeling, disappointed, dejected, unimpressed, bored and extremely ripped off. I went for lunch at L’Enclume in summer 2005 with another chef not really knowing what to expect.

We went for the 12 course menu. The food we had that day changed my life, the direction of my career and most of all the way I look at food. There was an obvious obsession in detail coming from the kitchen with every single component on every single dish showing great planning, understanding, technique, execution and what can only be described flashes of genius. So refreshing. I left feeling, amazed, confused, shocked, inspired, intrigued and smiling from ear to ear. By far the best meal I have ever had. (When I say that, you have to take into consideration I have eaten at Ramsay's, Fairlie's, Michael Caines, Aiken's, the Waterside, to name but a few)

Everything from the moment we walked in to the minute we left was bang on perfect. Even the thought of the opening of a sister restaurant in Henley excites me. The accessibility of the new restaurant to Londoners is sure to bring Simon Rogan the long overdue exposure and cult following that only the Rouxs, Marco, Ramsay, and Blumenthal know about.

If it wasn't for my present job I would be sleeping outside his restaurant every night begging him every morning to let me in and give me a start in his kitchen.

A second Michelin star can not be far away!!

This is my favourite restaurant of all time. Sunday afternoon at L’Enclume is the most wonderful treat. It’s a great restaurant for a very, very special dinner but I must admit I like it most of all for a lunch with good friends when you can take advantage of the lovely garden and the view of the priory. The food is sublime - exciting, beautiful, amazing and just plain wonderful to eat. Hours pass so easily and pleasantly and leave you delighted and satisfied and utterly comfortable. It has a reputation locally for being very expensive and it can be but even when it is it's worth every penny. But lunch is the greatest bargain in the Lake District. A Michelin star, 4 AA rosettes, 8/10 in the GFG and you can eat lunch for £25!! You can pay as much as that in the pub next door. L’Enclume is the business. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Go before Simon gets bored with making expearamenthol frappé!