The Fleur de Lys for Sunday lunch had been on my to do list for some time so when I won a recent competition to do just that, I think it is fair to say I was pretty chuffed.
The 17th Century Inn based in Cranborne Chase is exactly what you would expect from a building of that age, a huge fireplace, uneven floors and plenty of little nooks for dining in. Apparently smugglers used the inn as a base in the 18th century and Thomas Hardy visited in the late nineteenth- if only walls could talk.
More recently since Matt & Emily have owned The Fleur de Lys the building has been refurbished and the outside space adapted, now offering a marquee when the weather is not so good in addition to the pretty courtyard dining.
The outside kitchen is also a new addition to the Inn and a passion for Matt, it has proved incredibly popular, who doesn't love to see the chef in action cooking over fire? These Yorkshire puddings were certainly something to be proud of and a key part of any Sunday roast. All the meat is sourced locally from Salt to Smoke Butcher in Cranborne, fish and shellfish comes fresh from Poole Harbour.
Dry aged meat storage
We both ordered the Beef roast but started the meal with the delicious, Pea Hummus and flat breads (I wish I had asked for the recipe) & the Spicy Nduja Scotch egg, served with Cranborne Watercress, Saffron Aioli, Fresh Chilli, Lime. Highly recommend both.
Chef kindly let us sample the chicken alongside our beef it tastes so different cooked over fire, unfortunately this meant we didn't have enough room for a dessert even though I would loved to of tried one. Next time.
The Fleur De Lys offers fire feasting menus available for groups of between 6 and 100, some of the photos from these events were what first peeked my interest in their food. It looks fantastic, take a look at their instagram account and see for yourself, there really is something for everyone.
MER DE TERRE
THAI
TANDOORI
SOUL FOOD
RIB FEAST
FISH PLATTER
SHELLFISH PLATTER
VEGETARIAN
Thanks for your hospitality Matt and staff at The Fleur De Lys we had a lovely time and will be sure to bring our family back sometime soon for one of your feasts.
5 Wimborne Street
Cranborne
Dorset
BH21 5PP
01725 551 249
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