The Elderflower in Lymington was named in the prestigious Harden’s 2023 list of the countries best 100 restaurants
A LYMINGTON restaurant which regularly features in top UK dining guides has undergone an extensive refurb to reflect the town’s coastal and Forest location.
The Elderflower, which was ranked 86th best in England in the prestigious Harden’s 2023 list, has now expanded to accommodate up to 42 diners after being forced to abandon more ambitious plans to create a 1920s-style cocktail lounge on the first floor.
The decision to refigure and modernise the Quay Street eatery has also coincided with a move towards some more casual dining options with sharer plates such as beef Chateaubriand and Fruit de Mer appearing on the menu for the first time along with two and three course menus.
The hugely popular “surprise tasting experience” of between four and seven courses, is also still available.
The eatery is run by Andrew Du Bourg and his wife Marjolaine, who met whilst working at the Michelin-starred Club Gascon in London. They opened The Elderflower in 2014 and within a year they had secured its third AA Rosette.
Keen to grow their business the couple applied for consent for a series of internal alterations to create a larger dining space with an upstairs cocktail lounge. However, because the building is grade II listed they were unable to make the modifications they had hoped.
Marjolaine said: “It was very frustrating because we were just trying to make the building more usable. Listed buildings need love and care – but we felt like our hands had been tied.
“In the end we had to abandon our plans and instead refurbished the existing dining space to echo a coastal and forest theme.”
The bright new wallpaper and pebble-effect feature floor are complemented by sculptures and art on the walls. Modern seating and comfortable sofas have been installed alongside dark-wood herringbone-style flooring.
Marjolaine said: “The deco is now more modern with the use of fabrics, woods and leather. We worked with two local firms – Crestwood and BluBambu Living who were both exceptional.
“It was a huge investment for the business but we are delighted with the way it has turned out and our customers have all been very complimentary.”
The Elderflower’s new two and three course dining menus have been designed to offer a more affordable option for lunch time diners and walk-ins. Over the years Andrew and Majolaine have forged links with local suppliers, with Solent-caught seabass; and strawberries and asparagus from nearby Goodall’s Farm making regular appearances on the menu.
Marjolaine added: “We feel that the restaurant now reflects our beautiful location and the incredible local suppliers we use more closely.”
For more information visit elderflowerrestaurant.co.uk
