I always get excited as this time of year approaches-

The arrival of the legendry Formby Asparagus is the forerunner to English peas and broad beans, my three favourite green vegetables.

A couple of examples of how we use these delicious vegetables at Burlington’s Restaurant are:

Roasted Salmon Pave-Fresh garden peas, lettuce, smoked Cumbrian pancetta,  with tangy Caesar dressing

• Some lovely contrasting flavours explode in this dish- the richness of the salmon is intensified by the roasting process – which is cut through by the sweetness of the peas and lettuce, the sharp yet rich sauce refreshes the palette

White Muncaster Crab Cocktail & beignet- formby asparagus “vichysoisse”

• Flaked local crab meat bound in a chive mayonnaise –topped with a fried crab  & choux pastry  puff- served  in a creamy chilled asparagus, leek & potato soup

Asparagus Taster –crispy soft free-range egg- purple frizzee-hollandaise sauce

• This dish celebrates three contrasting varieties of asparagus- steamed Lancashire asparagus –from the village of Formby- char-grilled German white asparagus, (the most prized in their neck of the woods, chunky) French wild asparagus (resembling ears of wheat!) warmed in nonna Gemma virgin olive oil.
• They are treated in three different ways to preserve (wild asparagus-warmed)- intensify (white asparagus –char-grilled) and enhance-(English – steamed & buttered)
• They are served on a little purple frizzee lettuce – which has a taste of boiled jersey royals!
• And to finish a soft free-range egg from Bannerigg Farm in Windermere coated in crispy crumbs.

If we’ve tingled your taste buds why not come along to the restaurant and take advantage of our Gourmet Diners Club where up to four of you can dine at the restaurant and get up to 50% off your food bill.

Bon appetite

Christopher Davies

Executive head chef

I’m thrilled to announce our luxury holiday home “High Biggin”  has just received a fantastic 5 star gold award from Visit Britain! This confirms the quality of this outstanding property, and allows me to relax in the knowledge that all the hard work was worth while!

I was proud to show the inspectors around the house and gardens, I obviously showed them the guest book, every comment left was wonderful. More importantly for me, they all finished with “10/10 – we can’t wait to come back”. It means a lot when guests feel as though they have found somewhere that’s perfect for their family holiday.

Visit Britain has a great reputation for assuring quality, there inspector’s certainly put the properties through there paces! That’s no bad thing and as a customer it gives peace of mind, I know as someone who takes the family away on self catering holidays occasionally, it’s a sure fire way of understanding what you get for your money. I’m pleased to say that obviously they loved the house, its position over looking Lake Windermere and of course the privacy of its gardens.

It’s been a great first few months of letting, and for me, being able to offer something different, something special, where guests can incorporate the hospitality of the hotel with the privacy and luxury of the house has really and truly worked. Guests are enjoying the flexibility on offer, dine in or book a table in our award winning restaurant, we can even cater for you at the house! Personally, I would recommend the barbeque and the hot tub be used at least once, where else can you cook and eat dinner and relax with such breathtaking views?!

If you’re thinking about booking a self catering holiday in the UK, don’t book anything before considering “High Biggin” believe me, you won’t be disappointed! Don’t just take my word for it, ask Visit Britain, 5 star gold say’s it all!!

I look forward to welcoming those of you who book with us for the coming year! Oh, and don’t forget to visit our facebook page for details of how to win a free holiday, that’s one week in this stunning house with four bedrooms and five bathrooms without spending a penny!!

Jonathan Allan

General Manager

A view from our restaurant manager  Dennis who had designs on living and working in the Lake District:

After four years studying at Rochdale Art College I secured a position for myself in a graphic art & design studio in Manchester, after working there for three years I decided I was ready to move on and further my career.

I took a week’s break in the lakes, a place I am very fond of, lots of childhood memories of family holidays that will always stay with me.   Half way through my stay I thought to myself, imagine being able to live and work in a beautiful place like the Lake District rather than a city. So by the end of the week I decided that I was going to look for employment. graphic art was out of the question as the main industry was leisure.

Decision made I went for an interview at one of the top hotels of the time, (which I will not mention).  I was very nervous as I had no experience in this line of work.  I had a fantastic interview; I was asked if I had ever done any work of this type before, I replied no,  so I thought that there was little chance of getting a position, the response from the manager who interviewed me was “great, you’ve got the job”, I could not believe it.

I went home and put my notice in and two weeks later I was here and working.  I worked for a year in Windermere then over to Harrogate for a year at the Hotel Majestic. This was a very old school hotel, silver service and flambé work was the norm, waiters in white gloves, black waist coats and aprons, very smart!  I learnt so much here it gave me a great start in a career that to this day as held me in good stead and I still enjoy. No two days are ever the same!

After a year in Harrogate I decided that the lakes was the place for me and in 1977, some 34 years ago, I came for an interview at the Beech Hill Hotel, and got the job …… well that’s another story.

To be continued ………

Dennis Heywood

Restaurant Manager