The Latymer at Pennyhill Park

Nestled within the luxurious Pennyhill Park Hotel in Surrey, The Latymer is a hidden gem of fine dining that showcases the culinary brilliance of head chef Steve Smith. Holding a coveted Michelin star, this restaurant epitomises elegance, with service that is both attentive and warm.

From the moment you enter The Latymer, you're transported to a world distinct from the rest of the hotel. While Pennyhill Park is airy and expansive, The Latymer exudes an intimate, almost secretive charm. Its wood-panelled walls and cosy ambiance create the feeling of having discovered an exclusive sanctuary.

Before our visit, the restaurant made sure to inquire about our dietary preferences and any strong dislikes, ensuring that our tasting menu experience was personalised to perfection. This attention to detail set the tone for a meal that felt as much a story as a series of courses.

The seven-course tasting menu, accompanied by snacks and petit fours, was presented at a delicate pace, with each dish introduced like a carefully crafted tale. One of the standout moments was the calves sweetbreads, which were impeccably seared and infused with the smoky richness of Alsace bacon, finished beautifully with the sweetness of parsnip.

Equally impressive was a dish centred around a simple single ingredient served in a variety of textures; a tart entirely made of beetroot, from the crunchy casing to the sweet jelly filling. This sort of artistry is where head chef Steve Smith really shines, showcasing his mastery.

The evening concluded on a high note with a mango and rice tart - a refreshing and visually stunning dessert, elegantly perched on a delicate pastry disk and adorned with floral accents. Throughout our meal, the in-house sommelier elevated the experience with expertly paired wines, each glass accompanied by fascinating snippets of history.

The Latymer’s commitment to local and seasonal ingredients shone through in every bite, and the service was impeccable from start to finish. While the tasting menu may be on the pricier side for the Home Counties, the experience is nothing short of exceptional, making it well worth the indulgence for a Michelin-starred adventure in fine dining.

Located inside Surrey's luxurious Pennyhill Park Hotel, The Latymer is a fine dining restaurant serving a choice of inventive menus designed by head chef Steve Smith. With a Michelin star to its name, The Latymer prides itself on providing only the highest level of service and a suitably formal atmosphere to best showcase the award-winning food. The restaurant is committed to showcasing only the finest local produce and also has a real focus on seasonality, which means that the menus change every day based on availability of ingredients.

Found in one of the oldest parts of the house, The Latymer's dining room boasts a snug yet grand feel with rustic exposed beams and opulent décor throughout. A mixture of brightly upholstered chairs and banquettes sit on a turquoise carpet while tables are topped with white tablecloths and wooden panels line the walls.

Taking on the position of head chef in 2020, Steve Smith has completely redesigned Latymer's food offering. The focus is on its discovery tasting menu which is available for both lunch and dinner. This is comprised of six regularly changing courses with guests recommended to allow three hours to experience the gastronomic experience. Examples of dishes might include Birxham crab salad and custard with mango and coriander to start, followed by Ventowyn Farm egg with peas, girolles and ham, and sea bass with Roscoff onion, smoked eel and mustard. Sweet dishes might include seasonal delights such as Yorkshire rhubarb with waina and pistachio.

When it comes to drinks at The Latymer, you can opt for a wine pairing designed by head sommelier Sergio Dos Santos to perfectly complement every dish on the tasting menu, or you can choose a bottle from the extensive wine list. There are also plenty of other drinks available for those who don't want wine and for non-drinkers.