Surrey’s best restaurant described by Michelin inspector as ‘little culinary oasis’

Tucked away in a luxury five-star hotel in Surrey is an outstanding place to eat. Latymer not only holds one Michelin star for culinary excellence, but it also has five AA Rosettes under its belt. Only 18 restaurants in the whole of the UK have earned five rosettes, and the Bagshot eatery picked up its fifth red rose in September.

Located just off the M3 near Camberley[1], the incredibly plush destination restaurant is led by the highly talented chef Steve Smith. Having held a Michelin star for the last 20 years, chef Smith started his career in the kitchen of Jean Christophe Novelli, before going on to work with Shaun Hill, Paul Heathcote and Simon Gueller. Renowned for his modern British cooking, founded on using the finest seasonal ingredients available, he showcases his expertise through a surprise tasting menu.

He describes his cookery as "my food will be flavour and texture driven using the best available seasonal produce." In the Michelin guide,[4] inspectors describe Latymer as: "Tucked away inside the Pennyhill Park hotel is this little culinary oasis. "The surprise tasting menu centres on classic combinations refined and reworked in a creative modern style. Flavours, textures and temperatures show wonderful balance and everything is on the plate for a reason."

Open for dinner Wednesday to Sunday and lunch Saturday and Sunday, the decadent eatery is furnished with velvet chairs, sumptuous fabrics, rich blue carpet, dark wooden beams and traditional diamond lattice windows. Dark and seductive, each table glows by candlelight, and dining at the adult-only restaurant is an ultra-special treat.

Customers should allow three hours to enjoy the tasting experience as intricately presented dishes are presented across various courses. The lunch menu consists of four courses, while the dinner menu features six courses.

However, both menus come complete with even more food including a range of snacks which show off chef Smith's genius cookery skills, a selection of freshly baked breads and handcraft cultured butter, and petit fours to finish. The surprise menu changes seasonally so that only the best and freshest ingredients are put before guests. One of Chef Smith's signature dishes is hand dived Orkney scallop.

A huge, plump pearly white mollusc is beautifully cooked and paired with celeriac, English Wiltshire truffle, tangy Granny Smith apple and lovage. The different textures and tastes work harmoniously together leaving a wonderful sensation on the tongue. As with all of his dishes, each plate dazzles the senses and leaves memorable imprints that linger for hours.

For guests who cannot resist a cheese board, an additional cheese course can be added to the experience. There are more than 750 cheeses produced in Britain today, from classic cheddars to more unusual varieties. Diners at Latymer can choose from some of the best for an additional supplement - GBP14 for two pieces, GBP17 for four pieces, GBP20 for six pieces or GBP23 for eight pieces.

The generous lumps are served with artisan crackers, a mini walnut and raisin loaf, preserves and a fresh side salad. Similarly, caviar and truffles can be added along the culinary journey should you fancy. Another stand-out dish that is guaranteed to take your breath away, is a Spenwood and Wiltshire truffle puff.

The savoury choux bun is one of the snacks diners are presented with at the start of their meal. The expertly crafted pastry comprises of the most dreamiest of fillings, and the generous sprinkling of cheese and truffle makes for an extra indulgent bite. Each course comes with a little card explaining where the ingredients are sourced and some interested background on food grown in the UK, making the experience at Latymer not just a significant one for the taste buds, but one for the mind.

The restaurant is one of the UK's extraordinary dining spots celebrating the best of British.

The Discovery Menu (changes regularly) Snacks

• Spenwood and Wiltshire truffle puff
• BBQ pork, cider vinegar and mustard
• Grey blue sirloin, nasturtium and caper
• Heritage carrot tart

Selection of freshly baked bread and butter Course 1 - Brixham crab salad and custard, mango and coriander

Course 2 - Calve's sweetbread, peas, girolles calamansi and St Peter's ham Course 3 - Brixham sea bass, roscoff onion smoked eel and mustard Course 4 - Herdwick lamb, artichoke, courgette and tomato

Course 5 - Raspberry, burrata and yuzu Course 6 - Cherry and shiso Napolean Petit four - Tiramichoux, hazelnut and Wiltshire truffle

How to book a table at The Latymer

• Address: Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa, London Road, Bagshot, GU19 5EU.
• Parking: Large, free car park on site.
• Lunch price: Available Saturday and Sunday - four course tasting menu (with snacks) cost GBP95 per person.

  Additional extra GBP75 per person for four glass wine pairing.

• Dinner price: Available Wednesday to Sunday Six-course tasting menu (with snacks) costs GBP175 per person.

  Additional extra - six glass wine pairing costs GBP135 per person.

• Opening times: Dinner Wednesday to Sunday 6pm to 8.30pm and lunch Saturday and Sunday 12pm to 1.30pm.

References

1. ^ Camberley (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
2. ^ Surrey hotel tucked off M3 serving Christmas afternoon teas inside ivy-clad country house (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
3. ^ The riverside fairy-lit hotel near Surrey with cheese and chocolate fondues next to deer park (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
4. ^ In the Michelin guide, (guide.michelin.com)