A stunning new glasshouse restaurant which combines horticulture and dining has opened in Ayrshire today.
Luxury five-star hotel Glenapp Castle, in South Ayrshire's Ballantrae, have announced the opening of their much-anticipated dining venue The Azalea, which has sustainability at the heart of its menu.
Located in the centre of the Castle’s Walled Garden, the Azalea is situated in the Victorian Glasshouse and original Bothy — with the beautiful glass structure providing guests the opportunity to dine under the stars at night.
The new venue boasts individual dining compartments, including The Fruit Room, home to fig and peach trees, The Pond Room, which showcases a charming goldfish pond, and The Vine Room, which contains 100-year-old vines that still produce grapes.
And with much homegrown produce- including curry plants, marigold leaves and rhubarb- finding its way from the nearby Walled Garden to plate, it’s easy to see the restaurant's concept of blending horticulture and dining.
Starters feature fresh Scottish mackerel and tender rabbit leg, accompanied by prosciutto and wild watercress.
Main courses consist of roe deer with mushroom, red cabbage and beetroot, as well as roasted tenderloin ginger braised pork cheek, packed with flavour.
And for those with a sweet tooth, there are some scrumptious desserts available, from tangy lemon mousse to Glenapp Castle’s very own blend of chocolate.
Guests can taste the signature Valrhona chocolate dessert, which is floral in flavour with strong berry notes.
Not only does this new dining venue showcase much local produce, but the Bothy also exhibits artwork by talented local artists, including Allan McNally, William Neil and Roddy McKenzie.
It will also celebrate other local talent throughout the year, including traditional Scottish fiddlers and other musicians.
Joe Gould, the hotel’s head chef, said: “We believe that sustainability is the bedrock of what the Azalea Glasshouse dining is all about and working with our amazing Garden Team is integral to how the menus develop.
“A relationship with the growers will be integrated into the way we go about conceiving dishes and it is the element of the Azalea I am most excited about!
“With its beautiful position and our carefully thought out menu, there is no doubt that The Azalea offers our guests, and the local community, a unique dining experience in the heart of the castle estate.”
The glasshouse, originally built in the late 1800s, is one of only a few remaining in Scotland, including a similar Glasshouse situated on the Queen’s Balmoral Estate.
The glasshouse and bothy are adjoining, with the two spaces able to be kept separate for private dining experiences or be combined and offered exclusively for private events or weddings, seating up to 100 guests.
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