Harden's survey result
Summary
“The aesthetic is paired back and the entire focus is on the food” at this small venue headed up by ex-Noma chef James Cross, which – in keeping with a modern Scandi vibe – has “an intensely local and seasonal focus, with a strong emphasis on foraged ingredients”: “exceptional dishes… and you get to chat to the chef while he works on it”. “There is a real passion about the produce (we listened to James explain the provenance of the beef for about ten minutes to our neighbouring table)”, so “the meal is both interesting as well as absolutely delicious.”
Summary
“The aesthetic is paired back and the entire focus is on the food” at this small venue headed up by ex-Noma chef James Cross, which – in keeping with a modern Scandi vibe – has “an intensely local and seasonal focus, with a strong emphasis on foraged ingredients”: “exceptional dishes… and you get to chat to the chef while he works on it”. “There is a real passion about the produce (we listened to James explain the provenance of the beef for about ten minutes to our neighbouring table)”, so “the meal is both interesting as well as absolutely delicious.”
Summary
“Wow! What a find” – real raves for Noma grad James Cross’s woodsy, Scandi-style outfit, which “focuses on foraging and extreme seasonality”. It’s “not just fabulous locally sourced ingredients” that impress, but the “immersive theatrical experience”, featuring “knowledgeable and detailed explanations of each dish” (“double wow”, the tasting menus are affordable too). Ratings, though, were depressed this year by a minority who feel the venture “never quite lives up to its promise”.
Summary
“Startlingly good food, brilliantly explained” is a recipe for ongoing rapturous reviews concerning ex-Noma chef James Cross and his partner’s “fantastic and cosy” Scandi-style venture, decorated with much use of wood, and with the kitchen partially on view: “a special destination run with tremendous enthusiasm by two of the most passionate people in the game”, producing “some of the best ever food, and a splendid experience that could be enjoyed over and over again”.
For 30 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Lake Road Kitchen?
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £23.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £2.80 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
3 Sussex House, Lake Road, Ambleside, LA22 0AD
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 6 pm‑9 pm |
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