A fine dining restaurant has announced a new menu direction.

The new direction at Lounge on the Green, which is in Houghton, is inspired by acclaimed chef and restaurateur James Hill’s proud Cumbrian roots and fine dining background.

The restaurant has also reiterated its commitment to celebrating local ingredients, produce, and producers.

The restaurant said its tasting menu, called Yan, encapsulates this philosophy across seven courses, with dishes such as ‘Textures of Beetroot’, ‘Smoked Crofton Goat’s Cheese and Treacle’, and ‘Pork Cheek’ taking a starring role among others.

Their small menu, called the La’al Menu delivers a taste of Lounge on the Green in four courses, which they said was ideal for lunch or a light evening meal.

Both menus come with an option of expertly selected drink pairings.

In addition, it’s recently has announced a new addition to the team, sommelier and front-of-house manager, Holly Gibb.

Carlisle-born Holly has recently returned to the area after several years living in Australia, where she gained valuable experience working in artisan coffee shops, restaurants and at a hospitality events company.

From there she took on a front-of-house position at the acclaimed fine dining restaurant Pretty Little in Melbourne, where a focus on local, seasonal produce and Australian wine allowed her to develop her interest in, and knowledge of, New World wines and the art of food and drinks pairing.

Holly is passionate about making great drinks like craft cocktails, local beers and ales, and lesser-known wines accessible to all, ensuring that whether those that visit Lounge on the Green are wine aficionados or simply fancy trying something a little different at an affordable price, all tastes are catered for.

She has worked with James to launch a series of new wine-focused activations and evenings, including monthly Tasting Thursday nights, with a four-course menu accompanied by three matching wines from a different country each time, beginning with France in January, Italy in February and Spain come March.

Head chef and owner, James Hill, said: “This year we’re really concentrating on taking our drinks offering to the next level and with her fantastic industry experience and wine knowledge Holly is the ideal person to help us achieve that aim.”

Holly said: “After years of travelling and working away from Carlisle it feels right to be home and joining a restaurant with such a regional focus.”

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