Emlyn restaurant, Box Hill, Surrey

Box Hill

Box Hill

30 kilometers from southwest of London, you can find Box Hill. It is a summit in North Downs, Surrey, with its name derived from an ancient box woodland. An estimated number of 850,000 tourists visit Box Hill annually and enjoy its numerous attractions and astounding views.

Emlyn Restaurant

Emlyn restaurant, Box Hill, Surrey

Those who are visiting Box Hill can enjoy a gastronomic feast by visiting Emlyn Restaurant. It has long been considered by many visitors as one of the best places to have a sample of British cuisine in the area. More than the food, it has a lush garden and a historical setting, which make it more charming.

I was invited to a special dinner;  the Surrey Food chat, that was born after the very opinionated London-based restaurant critic; Jay Rayner was less than complimentary
about the Surrey food scene a few years ago. Local chefs, suppliers, and farmers have come together to form a task-force to change the perception that Surrey hasn’t got what it takes on the food scene in theUK.

The star of the restaurant is Nick Sinclair, a young chef from Surrey. He has assembled a team at Emlyn, composed of young and dedicated chefs, who are working towards his goal in being able to put Emlyn Restaurant in the UK dining scene. Along with others in the food and dining industry, he is committed to elevating the food establishments in Surrey.

Chef Nick has loved food ever since he was young. This passion has inspiredhim to be in his profession today. He grew up in a home where his parents love culinary. At a young age of 16, he became an apprentice in Royal Garden Hotel, London. In many years, he went around the world, which gave him different experiences and perspectives. These, in turn, were applied in his culinary techniques, giving his dishes a unique flare. In 2002, after years of traveling, he was back in the UK, and he worked at Park Plaza. Within just a year of employment, he was bestowed the Craft Guild of Chefs Graduate Award. He became Senior Sous Chef. After which, he decided to go back to Surrey, and this is where he started his journey to being the head of the kitchen in Emlyn Restaurant. He personally handpicked people in his culinary team to make sure that they will have a harmonious relationship to bring out the best in every dish that they prepare.

Today, Chef Nick strives for one thing – make the plates of the diners his canvas. He aims to create art in every dish that is served to the guests of Emlyn Restaurant. This
means that with every food that you order, you will not only have a gastronomic feast, but also a visual delight.

Surrey Food Chat meal

House made breads & marmite butter

delightful Hazy Hog Surrey Cider by Surrey’s own Hogs Back brewery

Celeriac, apples, walnuts & local Norbury Blue Cheese- an amazing combination of flavours and texture

Foodporn allert: 45 day aged angus rib by local Surrey Hills Butchers, onions and wild garlic, croquette of braised rib with blue cheese ( local Norbury blue cheese), and jus. possibly my favourite dish of the night, just because of the meat!

Hogs Back  chocolate cider

Dirty Vicar (Norbury Blue’s creation) cheesecake, chocolate and ale cake (using Hogs Back’s A over T barley wine), ale ice cream (Hogs Back’s OTT ale), malted milk puree, nut clusters

Dirty Vicar and Blue by Norbury cheese

What a wonderful evening – food and drinks were outstanding!

The Emlyn Restaurant is found at Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel. The historic property is more than 700 years old. More than just being historical, it is also stunning regarding natural beauty, especially with the surrounding landscape. If you cannot stay at the hotel, at least make it a point to visit Emlyn Restaurant, and for sure, your stomach will thank you!

If you are staying in the fantastic and very well appointed  Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel, don’t miss the afternoon tea, the amazing swimming pool, beautiful  walk and views over Box Hill; and 10 minutes walk is Denbies Wine Estate.  Plenty to see and do.

Denbies Wine Estate

Denbies Vineyard

Afternoon tea

Disclosure: I as a guest at Emlyn and Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel. Thanks, Magellan PR for organising my visit.

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