Had a phenomenal meal at L’Enclume that really surpassed all of my expectations! The two things that really define L’Enclume are the fact that it’s in this cute town of Cartmel in the Lake District and that their whole cuisine is focused on farm to table and local produce. It might feel standard nowadays, but they’ve been doing it for the past 20 years and definitely were one of the pioneers in the UK for it.
What I love about their dishes is that nothing feels too heavy, but by the end of the meal you are absolutely stuffed, and the dishes themselves are incredibly technical and precise. And ultimately, I think some fine dining restaurants are more cerebral than they are tasty, but L’Enclume absolutely doubles down on taste so things here are delicious! Lastly, the service is so sharp, incredibly warm but polished and it honestly feels like you’re almost dining in a little cottage which I love.
A few dish highlights:
The starting bites (trout tart with winter radish and pickled rose, fritter of Duroc pig and smoked eels, and their famous Cora Linn pudding caramelized in birch sap) all were phenomenal and a great way to set the tone for the meal
The seaweed custard with caviar was probably one of the most unique caviar dishes I’ve ever had, opting to go for a high salinity caviar rather than a smooth and creamy one, but it worked so well with the custard
Simple dishes like their cabbage and ox tongue dish or their King Edward potatoes with leeks and black garlic were examples of them just trying to make purely delicious food (and they absolutely were)
And then lastly, I love that their desserts were more on the light and refreshing side rather than heavy and rich because it was a perfect way to top off the huge meal
Overall can’t recommend L’Enclume enough — it truly is a fantastic place and so so special!
by Ligiers
10 Comments
My favourite restaurant by far. Totally agree with your note that they haven’t abandoned flavour, unlike other Michelin places. It’s not technique over flavour but in service of it
This looks pretty incredible. Have been feeling lately like lots of menus posted here are all looking the same and just OK. This looks original, varied, and delicious. It feels lately there is lots of “good” out there and little “great”. This looks great.
I enjoyed a meal there in 2017 and really must go back
Went March last year. Best experience ever
There’s always a dish on stones 🥱
Such a great restaurant, it’s L’Enclume 2019 vs. The Fat Duck in 2007 for my greatest ever dinner
Went a few years ago and had a great time. Lovely part of the world.
I also hugely recommend visiting their Farm – shown in your last photo – really informative and fun!
Are those sticks edible?
Great photos, thanks for sharing
Went here just before Christmas and posted our review. Like you we felt it was truly sensational. Can’t agree with you more about the service; not cloying servility but genuine warmth; not sterile but still precise; just lovely.
Interesting that there’s a fair few different dishes or have had significant changes compared to when we went just a month ago.
The version of the custard dish we had was a bit different (came with beef broth, beef tendons, bone marrow and oysters; no caviar) but was the best dish I’ve ever had in my life.
It’s such a special restaurant. The sense of place it has is really quite emotive. Fabulous.