Exclusive Collection is delighted to announce the relaunch of The Avenue, the flagship restaurant at Lainston House near Winchester. Following an extensive refurbishment, the restaurant will reopen on 27 November with MasterChef: The Professionals champion Tom Hamblet at the helm in the kitchen. The esteemed Russell Sage Studio has led the redesign of The Avenue, blending contemporary elements with the restaurant’s historic charm and taking inspiration from the hotel’s Hampshire surroundings and mile-long avenue of lime trees, which the restaurant is named after.
Since winning MasterChef: The Professionals, Tom Hamblet has completed hugely successful residencies at Camellia at South Lodge in West Sussex in 2023, and at The Avenue earlier in 2024. In his new position as Head Chef of The Avenue, Tom will offer guests a fresh take on flavour with contemporary, refined dishes that showcase his commitment to using the finest produce, including local ingredients from Hampshire and the Lainston House Kitchen Garden.
The eight-course tasting menu at The Avenue will be priced at £125. Tom’s exquisite snacks and laminated brioche with garden herb butter will be followed by a choice for the starter, main course and dessert, interspersed with extra courses designed by Tom to surprise and delight diners. Highlights from the menu include Scallop, anchovy, seaweed pickle, ajo blanco; Venison loin, beetroot, onion caramel, duck liver sauce; and Whipped cheesecake tart, pear, fig leaf, blackberry and pastis sorbet. ‘Squeeze them ins’ conclude the meal, such as Lainston apple juice and ginger pâte de fruit and Salted nut nougat.
“It has been an incredible journey working with the talented team at Lainston House during my residency,” comments Tom. “I’m thrilled to be taking the head chef role for the relaunch of The Avenue, continuing to explore the region’s rich culinary heritage to create an unforgettable flavour-focused dining experience that helps put Hampshire on the map as an unmissable dining destination.”
Tom’s fresh perspective, commitment to sustainable practices, and innovative techniques to bring out the best in all ingredients, mean The Avenue will offer diners the chance to experience elegant, bold, and locally inspired dishes in the stunning setting of the 17-century Lainston House estate.
Tom will also be giving guests the opportunity to cook with him in his Season Cookery School classes at Lainston House, teaching recipes inspired by his dishes from MasterChef: The Professionals and his residencies over the past year.
