Sunday Lunch At The Lamplighter Dining Rooms, Windermere
If you’re in search of a traditional Sunday lunch in the Lake District, Windermere’s Lamplighter Dining Rooms ticks pretty much all of the boxes. And don’t just take our word for it - Jay Rayner waxed lyrical in his review for The Observer about the Lamplighter’s ‘proper Sunday Roast lunch…treated with all the respect it deserves.’
Situated at the top of the main street in Windermere, the Lamplighter has been owned and run by the Tasker family for 30 years. Sons James and Alistair took over the reins in 2011 and have overseen a refurbishment programme that has seen the addition of an art deco lounge bar and south-facing sun terrace plus -- if you’re thinking of an overnight stay -- makeovers for the 11 guest rooms.
Alistair heads up the kitchen team and his menus are British with a modern twist and a celebration of the wonderful produce the Lake District has to offer. Specialities include various choice cuts of Lakeland beef as well as Lake District lamb, Goosnargh duck, Lancashire beef suet pudding and their famous Fleetwood fish & chips. But it’s the Sunday lunch which is still the blue riband event.
You need to book ahead by 6pm Friday and order your cut of meat which is carved at your table in traditional style. Choose from sirloin, rib or fillet of Lakeland beef, leg, saddle or best end of Lakeland lamb, pork, gammon, toad in the hole or whole roast chicken. These are accompanied by Yorkshire pudding, honey roast parsnips, garden peas, carrot and swede, cauliflower cheese, creamed mash, roast potatoes cooked in dripping and gravy. There’s also a selection of soups to start and hot and cold desserts to finish.
James trained and worked at some of London's top venues including Claridge's, the Dorchester and the Savoy and he has put his experience to good use handling front-of-house. There’s a great choice of beers, wines, spirits and cocktails available with the recent addition of a Prestige wine list that features the best selection of marquee Bordeaux reds you’ll find in the Lake District.