Lake Road Kitchen is a fascinating newcomer that arrived in the bustling Lake District town of Ambleside in the summer of 2014. The driving force behind the restaurant is Chef/Proprietor James Cross who has worked for some big names in the industry, including René Redzepi's two Michelin-starred Noma in Copenhagen, Thomas Keller's three Michelin-starred Per Se, New York and Heinz Beck's three Michelin-starred La Pergola in Rome.

The restaurant is already grabbing the attention of foodies and critics alike and has picked up the Newcomer of the Year in the Cumbria Life Food and Drink Awards 2015, as well as attaining the 48th place in the Waitrose Good Food Guide 2016 Top 50 Restaurants and three prestigious AA Rosettes. Occupying a double fronted building the interior has been simply kitted out, walls are lined with pinewood planks, there's bare wood tables and chairs, and an open window to the high tech kitchen.

James sources all produce from Northern Europe, the UK, Scandinavia, Northern France and Germany, as well as ingredients foraged daily from surrounding beaches and forests. His cooking is dedicated to bringing out authentic tastes, carefully harmonised to surprise and pamper your palate with exquisite delicacies. Make sure that you try their signature dish of slow cooked, roasted octopus tentacles or carrots with truffle. Elsewhere there's dishes in the shape of Ross-shire scallop mornay with beach plants or an intriguing slow cooked chicken's foot with pine and white miso. To conclude enjoy apple tart paired with crème fraiche and Calvados sauce or maybe a bitter caramel flan, brown butter granola, sorrel and blackberries in liqueur.

The attention to detail, from the excellent-home made bread to the friendly service led by George Norrie, speaks of a restaurant that's really making its mark.

Lake Road Kitchen is also featured in: AA Guide

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Modern European

James Cross

Dinner: 6.00 - 9.00pm Wed-Sun

Visa, Master Card

• 28 covers
• Family Friendly