One of East Lancashire’s leading restaurants has launched its new summer menu, in a first since Lisa Goodwin-Allen returned as chef patron-director.
Michelin-starred Northcote, in Langho, has unveiled the new menu and utilises Lisa’s skill and vision in the kitchen.
Lisa has described herself as a chef who likes to move with the seasons, and this is reflected in the menu, which highlights the highest quality summer ingredients.
She said: “My favourite thing about any time of year and with any new menu is working with seasons. I’m a huge believer that seasonality is how you’re going to get the best flavour and the best ingredients.
“At the moment, that’s tomatoes. The Isle of White tomato is one of my favourites, the flavour is just fantastic. We prepare them in several different ways to pull and suck as much flavour out of them as possible. We macerate them, dehydrate them, extract the liquid and turn it into a jelly. We then serve it with a goat’s cheese sauce and a little tomato bread on the side, with a basil butter, that you can wipe through your dish to finish off with. It’s very on season. Very tasty and lovely to eat.”
Vegetarians can enjoy dishes such as BBQ hen of the woods, forest mushrooms, wild garlic and sourdough, courgette flower, ricotta, and lemon and tarragon - a true celebration of the season’s best produce.
Also utilising the fantastic produce which can be bought up and down the coast in Lancashire, Lisa has designed the menu around fish, with lobster and turbot being the two main courses.
What makes this feat even more impressive is that Lisa is allergic to shellfish.
Lisa added: “Traditionally we would have a meat main course, but at this time of year, there is an abundance of seafood available and it’s always good to mix things up, so we’ve made fish the main event. The UK has some sensational seafood.
“You can get some of the best seafood in the world from our shores.
“It’s funny because people say my shellfish dishes are some of my best. I had to read up on the characteristics of shellfish and imagine what it tastes like. There are a couple of chefs who work here who have the same allergy so we have to be careful and label the spoons.”
The menu also reflects the new chapter for the business since Alf and Clare Ellis took over in April and who inspired Lisa to make a return to the restaurant.
In addition to the food, the menu also comes with a wine and non-alcoholic wine pairing which is carefully selected by the award-winning sommelier team.
READ MORE: East Lancashire’s culinary crown jewel - Goodwin-Allen’s menu a true celebration
READ MORE: Lisa Goodwin-Allen "over the moon" after announcing return to Northcote
Lisa added: “This menu reflects everything the Northcote kitchen stands for - a deep respect for produce, a commitment to innovation and a passion for pushing culinary boundaries.
“It’s elegant, playful and full of flavour and more than that, it’s significant, because it marks the start of a new era. I’m excited for our guests to experience what we’ve created.”
Northcote has also set out a new vision since the takeover, something that managing director Craig Bancroft described as an “oasis of food and wine excellence”.
The plans include operating a food van for parties as well as extending the event spaces at the site.
Craig said: “The new investment will bring the restaurant back to where it should be.
“Internally there is a lot fresher look all around and it is going to be modern, chic and high-end.”
Share