3 days ago
Picnics, parties and planting at Raymond Blanc's restaurant this summer
Raymond Blanc's flagship restaurant in Oxfordshire impresses in every season but is offering an extra special summer programme this year.
Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons, a Belmond Hotel is celebrating its status as Britain's original "garden to table" destination this summer, as well as its culinary excellence.
Having retained two Michelin stars every year since it opened in 1984, as well as a Green Star in 2023 for a proven commitment to sustainability, the restaurant has Raymond Blanc OBE as chef patron and executive head chef Luke Selby at the helm.
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Already this summer Mr Blanc has joined forces with chef Yannick Alleno for an exclusive "Four Hands Lunch", and hosted the Bastille Day party to end all parties in Provencal style in the garden.
Chef patron Raymond Blanc and Yannick Alleno (Image: Joseph Bishop / Le Manoir) Now Le Manoir is welcoming an innovative new selection of garden-to-glass cocktails inspired by homegrown botanicals from the property's 11 gardens.
New cocktails include Ambre, which combines lemon verbena, on of the garden's most abundant herps with mango, while Corail fuses one of the most gentle fruits with a fiery vegetable for a peach-chilli creation.
Also on offer is Rouge, with raspberry and tomatoes inspired by Mr Blanc's childhood paired with tequila for savoury summer sipping.
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The dining experiences are all-new this season too with a three-course summer lunch offering guests a taste of fresh flavours with dishes such as confit aged salmon with a yoghurt and elderflower granita and plate of herdwick lamb with asparagus and wild garlic.
Dining at Le Manoir (Image: Chris Terry / Le Manoir) Vegetarians can choose from a garden beetroot terrine and horseradish sorbet or a risotto of garden vegetables and spring herbs.
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An option to enjoy the balmy weather with some al fresco dining is also available with a Veuve Clicquuot Picnic, which includes a bottle of the Champagne complemented with charcuterie, scones with clotted cream and homemade strawberry preserve as well as fresh fruit, sandwiches, macaroons, olives and almonds.
Le Manoir is also offering activities for those wanting to learn more about any aspect of its set up.
Gardeners can learn the secrets of the estate at the Raymond Blanc Gardening School, from propagation to herb growing, summer fruit pruning to soil-to-plate cultivation.
While in the garden, guests can also visit The King's Rose, first unveiled at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show by David Austin Roses in tribute to King Charles III.
The King's Rose in the David Austin Rose garden (Image: Kristin Fowler / Le Manoir)READ MORE: Warning following reports of Travellers near Banbury
It is the first variety of rose bred to be striped, in fuchsia pink and white, and has been planted in a new immaculate David Austin Rose bed at the foot of Le Manoir's original Dovecote.
And for those ready to spend more time in the Oxfordshire estate, families can enjoy a two-night stay to switch off in the "nature family escape".
With morning yoga sessions, seeding and planting workshops, a Harris Hawk handling session and time to explore the Japanese Tea Garden, there's plenty to entertain.
