The Cottage In The Wood — Restaurant in Great Britain

Perched at the top of a Lake District mountain, Cottage in the Wood promised spectacular views, however a winter evening booking had dashed at least this feature of the michelin star restaurant.

Arriving early we settled into the lounge for cocktails, pickled Martini and a Negroni, decor minimalist with a hint of seventies influence, we browsed the seven course tasting menu accompanied with a potatoe tuille and a slightly bland barbecued pea oil.

We were invited into the conservatory and seated facing the pitch black vista, the chef pledged to warm us up with a blind scouse and detecting our accents avoided the description of origin afforded to other guests. Whilst the flavour of the dish had plenty of depth it failed to deliver as a toddy as it was luke warm at best bordering on solidifying a lamb fat skin.

A smoked cheese croustade followed, which was delightful and packed with flavour, the bread was unusual made with potatoe and presented with a whipped butter both of which were very tasty and the offer of more was well received.

The wine pairing started with a lively Rose which accompanied an absolutely splendid gin cured trout course with beetroot and a buttermilk sauce which lifted the culinary bar to the next level.

Quail followed which was a morcel of meat on a spiced carrot spelt, although it was more of a curry and totally overwhelmed the delicate bird. The dish was served with a side of quail leg and whilst tasty it didn't compliment the course other than it being of the same meat.

Cod was next which had been gently cooked slow and low for hours on end resulting in a splendidly flaky fish served with a heavenly broth and just enough fennel producing a delightfully well balanced dish. Perhaps the plates could have been hotter.

Our final savoury was lamb, artichoke with kale, but once again presented with an out of place side dish of more lamb, surely if it is meant to be part of the course it should be on the plate. Sadly, both cuts of meat were grossly overburdened with unrendered fat leaving the texture of the dish rather unpleasant.

Our pre-dessert had apparently starred on a recent Great British Menu which was a lip shaped cherry pannacotta paying homage to the character Lily Savage and called "watch your mouth", a nod to Chef Jack Bonds Merseyside roots.

Our final course was a fine dining version of apple pie and custard with the pie replaced by three crispy biscuit sheets and the apples caramelised tarte tatin style creating a delightful final course, matched perfectly with an almost honey like dessert wine.

Overall, the two fish dishes were the stand out courses of the night and whilst the experience was pleasant, basic shortfalls such as luke warm plates and unrendered fat were...

Stayed Friday-Sunday in the Garden Room. On arrival given a flask for milk and shown to room. The room and en-suite a good size. Supplied with usual lotion, shower wash, shampoo and conditioner. Luckily I had taken a shower cap as no other basic toiletries supplied. The room info stated specifically you cannot consume your own beverages. I don’t recall ever reading this in a hotel before. I believe this is why no fridge was supplied. I think the Hotel would do well to include a drinks menu in the room if they don’t want you to drink your own drinks. Large bottle of Hotels own distilled water in the room but best kept outside if you want it cold. The TV is off centre, see pictures, could do with an adjustable bracket. There is no car charger.||Hotel has two tasting menus. The menus I’ve attached in the pictures. The wine flight I must say was the best I’ve ever tasted and I’m not much of wine drinker. We opted to pay to share the cheese course both nights. All English and I must say the best cheese course I’ve ever had too. The food was excellent, admittedly I enjoyed some courses more than others but that’s come to be expected with a tasting menu. ||Breakfast had a good selection. We opted for full English. Thought odd local black pudding not listed. First morning when husband requested no tomato server asked if he’d like black pudding instead. I obviously jumped on that and requested a slice. ||Checkin day we arrived a couple of hours early and took a 12 minute taxi to Keswick for a drink and late lunch. Saturday we had pre-booked bikes at Whinlatter Forest. You can order standard or electric bikes. The Forest is a handy 7 1/2 minute walk up the hill. The Forest has 4 routes based on difficulty. We rode the easy and very easy and was 11km. We grabbed a drink in the cafe and then did a trail for an hour. There is 3 trails again based on difficulty. Next time I’d like to ride a Segway and there is also a Go Ape. |||We really enjoyed our stay and will...

A leisurely drive up through the mountainous forest of Whinlatter, just ten minutes from nearby Keswick, brought us to the very pretty and inviting 'Cottage in the Woods' where we were very warmly greeted and taken to our very comfortable, well-appointed and quiet room and offered complementary tea and slices of delicious home-baked Almond cake which set our taste buds tingling for the meal to come.|The dining room looks out over a magnificent vista of Lake District peaks, - even in the mist and slightly rainy time of our visit, and there were also chances to spot red squirrels and various birds flocking to the feeders in the grounds of the Cottage.|My wife is a pescatarian/vegetarian by preference but that provided no problem to this long Michelin-starred kitchen and a separate menu providing required substitution was presented prior to the meal without fuss.|The seven course meal contained food that was simply fabulous. Every tasty morsel on both our plates , using local ingredients, was to savour and relish and the wine flight and small vineyard champagne from organic and bio-dynamic growers was perfectly chosen to enhance the food and served with a loving description by the long-standing and very knowledgeable Sommelier.|A truly great meal follwed by a comfortable night's sleep and then a superb breakfast with a fluffy mushroom omelette brimming with wild mushrooms and well up to the previous night's feast. Very good value for money and a place we hope to revisit as soon as we can!! Thanks to all at the Cottage for a delightful stay at fairly...