By Katie Wilson
The Cotswolds is known for its chocolate-box villages, rolling green hills and plentiful pubs – but The Scenic Supper is another reason you’ll want to visit.
Set up by three local friends during lockdown, this special experience offers fine dining at affordable prices set to the backdrop of stunning scenery, hence the name.
It first launched last summer, starting life as a socially distanced dining experience at Todenham Farm near Moreton-in-Marsh, where guests were invited to eat in bespoke glasshouses as they admired the rural views.
Their winter offering is a 20-night pop up in The Stone Barn at Fir Farm, a mile from Stow-on-the-Wold, which runs until December 18. Here’s what happened when we paid them a visit.
The Scenic Supper at Stone Barn has no postcode, so the adventure begins before you even get there as you try to locate the venue.
Drive through the village of Lower Swell (or better still get a taxi) and you’ll see a turning on the right which will take you up a pathway to your secret destination.
While we expected the setting to be pretty, what awaits when you arrive at The Scenic Supper is truly breathtaking.
The beautifully renovated barn dates back to the 1600s and features timber frame beams, Cotswold stone walls and floor-to-ceiling windows, showcasing the idyllic landscape views beyond.
A nice seasonal touch is the fir cone chandelier hanging from the high ceiling. The white candles dotted round the room also add to the barn’s intimate ambience.
We can honestly say it’s one of the most picturesque places we’ve ever had the pleasure of eating a meal.
There are two tasting menus available at The Scenic Supper championing local, seasonal produce, sourced within a 21 mile radius where possible. Choose from a four-course lunch (£55pp) or a six-course dinner (£70pp). All dietary requirements can be catered for.
We visit for lunch when you’ll see the best views, and are lucky enough to be given the table in front of the main window – the best seats in the house.
Scenic Supper co-founder and drinks extraordinaire Sam Lawson-King shakes us up some festive-inspired cocktails as an aperitif. We order the Spiced Gin Sour and Winter Berry Shrub, which are both beautifully presented and delicious.
Then comes the food. First up is the bread – but this is no ordinary bread, this is next level Scenic Supper bread. This means there are several varieties, including potato and porcini mushroom and locally made Rollright cheese, served in a bread ‘glasshouse’ on a bed of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon sticks with chicken and chesnut butters.
The first course is Beef Brisket and Yorkshire Pudding served with a side of Bone Marrow, which is poured at the table from a glass teapot and meant to be drunk alongside it rather than drizzled over the meat.
This is followed by a Scenic Supper Tomato Sorbet, a pretty palate cleanser decorated with edible flowers and micro basil.
Main course is crisp skin Fir Farm Pheasant with Roast Potatoes, Roasted Sprouts and Parsnip Puree.
These are proper spuds, we loved the addition of chesnuts in the sprouts, and the meat is melt in your mouth.
Although pheasant is a lighter meat, try it with a glass of red as it really brings out the flavour.
Dessert is a Cotswolds Chocolate Orange Mousse with a sprinkling of honeycomb. Terry’s has nothing on this!
There is also an option to add a Selection of Local Cheeses and Homemade Winter Chutneys should you wish, but we end the meal with a Mint Tea.
In December, the menu will take on a more festive flavour until the last Scenic Supper at Fir Farm the weekend before Christmas. Exact details have yet to be revealed.
So, what’s next for Scenic Supper? Sam tells us there is a pop up gin bar and restaurant takeover planned in his home village of Moreton-on-Marsh, a few minutes’ drive away, in the winter months.
The Scenic Supper will also be back in the glasshouses at Todenham Farm from Spring 2022, offering a seven-course set tasting menu.
“We’re not just a restaurant, we’re an events company. We want it to be affordable for people, but you’ll still get the Michelin-star treatment,” Sam says.
“We’re all about homegrown events and we build on this with each pop up we do. We change location to keep it exclusive – so if you don’t visit when it’s on, chances are we’ll never be at that location again.”
Best for: Impressing a date, special occasions
The Scenic Supper is at Fir Farm until December 18 and Todenham Farm from April 1, 2022
Lunch sittings are 12.30 to 3pm and dinner is served from 6.30pm to 11pm Wednesday to Saturday
Prices are £55pp for the four-course set lunch and £70pp for the six-course dinner
Book a table at The Scenic Supper here
Read next: The prettiest villages in the UK
Read next: New UK restaurant openings to know about
Comments are closed.