Visitors to The Hopping Hare are well aware of its reputation for fine dining – as one of only five venues in the county to hold two AA rosettes – as well as its Tasting Menu evenings and regular special events.
What many don’t realise is that hidden away behind The Hopping Hare is a beautiful garden; a secluded retreat where guests can enjoy watching the sun go down while enjoying the best the restaurant has to offer.
In addition to the regular a la carte menu from the team that won Gold in the Restaurant of the Year category at the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards in November, there are some spring and summer specials that have been devised to be at their very best when enjoyed outdoors.
David George, owner of The Hopping Hare, said: “Although we are conveniently placed on the main road, we’re set well back and a lot of people don’t realise that we have this lovely garden hidden away adjacent to the building. It’s quiet and secluded and a real suntrap, so when the weather is warm, guests can spend a very pleasant evening out there.”
With sunshades, lights and heaters to cover every eventuality, the garden has space for 50 diners.
- The already-impressive menu has been enhanced with five dishes that are ideal for al fresco dining:
- Soy and sesame salmon and crayfish rice bowl, with pickled cucumber, compressed watermelon, spring onion, basmati rice and honey and soy dressing
- Hopping Hare chicken Caesar salad
- Crispy panko prawn and avocado salad with chilli and lime dressing
- Hickory smoked Althorp Estate pigeon breast with chorizo, creamed leeks, crispy egg and shimeji mushrooms
- Pan-fried fillet of cod with saffron potatoes, pod salad, black olive tapenade, watercress and cumin sauce.
In addition to the fine dining experience, inside and out, The Hopping Hare holds Tasting Menu evenings on Fridays, at £50 per person, as well as special events such as the Gin Tasting Menu, in conjunction with Tom Warner from Warner’s Distillery, which will take place on May 15.
For guests visiting from out of town, or those who want to relax and enjoy their evenings without worrying about who is going to drive home, The Hopping Hare has 20 luxurious en-suite bedrooms with single, double or king-size beds.
David added: “It’s always nice when the weather improves and we can open up the garden, and as summer approaches, we want people to know about this little secret that they probably didn’t even know was there.”
