Cirencester is getting an exciting new dining experience from the team behind The Scenic Supper, with Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden opening on the Bathurst Estate this April 2023.
The Scenic Supper was known for serving up local, seasonal food with incredible views from its quirky glasshouses at Todenham Manor Farm, achieving a reputation for creative dishes, delicious cocktails and friendly, unpretentious service. Set up for socially distanced dining during the pandemic, the team is excited to now be moving to a permanent venue at The Old Kennels, within the grounds of Cirencester Park.
All but two of the glasshouses are gone, with the family- and dog-friendly café and restaurant being located in a brand-new space overlooking the kitchen garden, with vaulted ceilings and high windows promising a light and airy feel.
There's a dedicated children's room next door to the restaurant, full of books and craft materials ideal for keeping young children entertained. Outside there are two courtyards offering alfresco dining space, divided by raised beds full of edible flowers and herbs, as well as an outdoor children's play area.
Offering breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, Ritual Roasters coffee and takeaway food daily, there's an evening dinner service in the main restaurant from Thursday to Saturday, too. Sustainability is at the heart of the venture, with its menus showcasing the very best artisan produce from within a 25-mile radius, including fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs grown on-site in its kitchen garden; locally reared beef, lamb, pork, poultry and game from the Bathurst Estate and its neighbours; and fresh fish and seafood from Brixham in Devon.
Daytime diners can expect classic English dishes with creative French touches, with a daily specials board of 'Field to Fork' options, dictated by the best, seasonal produce available on the day, all created by head chef, Sam Idione. There are vegan and vegetarian options on every menu, plus there's a dedicated children's menu full of crowd-pleasers and healthy options, too. While in the evenings, the offering is a more sophisticated affair with 'elevated service and style'.
Fans of The Scenic Supper co-founder Sam Lawson-King's cocktails won't be disappointed either, as Roots + Seeds promises a fully stocked bar with Lawson-King's own award-winning King Stone gin taking centre stage. The drinks menu is also informed by the seasons, with a regularly changing selection of gin cocktails muddled with home-grown shrubs and homemade cordials and mixers; as well as a selection of English sparkling wines, Corinium Ales, Hook Norton Brewery ciders and a small but thoughtfully-curated choice of Old and New World wines available by the glass or bottle.
As well as supplying the chefs with a glut of fresh produce, the kitchen garden is also going to be used as a community space to encourage local children to have a go at growing their own food and allow volunteers from local charities to get together - with passionate gardener and co-founder, Toby Baggot, taking the time to talk to visitors about all aspects of growing food on Saturdays.
Baggot, said: 'Climate change, food miles and sustainability are at the forefront of our minds, so growing our own food over a weekly cycle with daily changing specials will help us achieve our goal of creating a low to zero food waste restaurant.'
Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden opens at The Old Kennels in Cirencester Park on Friday 7 April 2023.
