Chef Sam LomaS openS debut restaurant at Number One, Bruton
ONE OF BRITAIN’S MOST EXCITING CHEFS, SAM LOMAS PARTNERS WITH NUMBER ONE BRUTON TO LAUNCH HIS FIRST RESTAURANT, ‘BRIAR’ THIS SEPTEMBER
The Great British Menu alumnus will open his first restaurant within the culinary epicentre of Somerset, in the former home of Osip.
OPENING SEPTEMBER 12th 2024
Briar marks a partnership between Sam Lomas and husband-and-wife team Claudia and Aled Rees, owners of Number One Bruton. Their hotel has gained a reputation as a cosy, joyful escape that showcases Somerset’s local suppliers and craft heritage in every room; the perfect home for Sam’s farm-to-table venture.
Launching in the Georgian townhouse’s old hardware store, Briar will be a warm, friendly neighbourhood restaurant with its feet planted firmly in the West Country. Drawing inspiration from its namesake (a wild bramble or shrub native to England), the menu will celebrate hyper-local produce, foraged ingredients and be dictated by the growing seasons of the kitchen garden. Serving a daily changing blackboard menu of small plates, snacks, sharing dishes and proper puddings alongside a thoughtful drinks menu; the food is a culmination of Somerset ingredients and food traditions with a focus on craft cooking and unfussy dishes.
As a former River Cottage ‘Rising Star’ and Roux Scholarship finalist, Sam has been busy with meticulously planning in the run up to the opening. Having worked his green-fingered magic on fruit and vegetable patches in Number One’s kitchen gardens he will also be tending to further fresh ingredients in the hotel owners’ garden up the road in Batcombe. Visitors will be able to follow along with Sam and the team’s progress via his recipe newsletter, Field Notes, which won the self-published writing award at this year’s Guild of Food Writers awards.
The new menus by the former Head Chef of Devon’s Glebe House will spotlight celebrated local producers with whom Sam is developing earnest partnerships such as Stavordale Dairy - Sam has designed a chutney to pair with Cameron Mackintosh’s lauded cheddar - and local grain specialists, Landrace Milling, which will be used in the chef’s baked goods. There are plans afoot to run a calendar of foodie occasions helmed by Sam and celebrating his relationships with industry fellows and suppliers, including long-tabled supper clubs in the ancient courtyard and under the shady branches of the orchard.
Open for lunch and dinner, Wednesday to Saturday, the kitchen will open with large blackboard menus hanging on the walls, with dishes chalked up every morning based on yields and harvests. Sample plates include:
Sam’s Porridge loaf with local butter £3
Westcombe gougeres £6
Trout crudo with parsley, whitecurrants and chilli £11
Bruton dairy curds, grilled courgettes and sourdough crumbs £8
Blood cake, gooseberry chutney and mustard leaves £12
Berkshire pork chop, swiss chard and cider sauce £32
Grilled leg of hogget, white beans, and agretti £28
Jerusalem artichoke and green onion tart, poached egg £18
Honey Tart with poached quince £9
Blackcurrant leaf ice cream £5
Sam says of the new opening: ‘I’m delighted to be bringing Briar into the beautiful space at Number One - we are flattered by the shoes we’re stepping into, and are looking forward to bringing our affordable and approachable Somerset fare to the table in Bruton. I am fizzing with ideas for Briar and can’t wait to share more details soon - we’re hoping to do regular weekend feasts in our ancient orchard, and host dinners and celebrations with our cherished suppliers. There's a lot of excitement brewing and still to come, and we can’t wait to open our doors and share it with our guests.’
Briar will open 12th September 2024
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ABOUT NUMBER ONE BRUTON
Number One Bruton opened its doors in 2020. The hotel is made up of an elegant Georgian townhouse, medieval forge and row of cottages carefully converted into a 12-bedroom hotel set around a pretty private courtyard. At the heart of the project is a devotion to Somerset’s artistry and culture. The derelict, medieval-era property was transformed over a period of four years and is now a showcase for the county’s architectural heritage, gourmet pedigree and culture. Famous local residents, including Don McCullin, Bill Amberg and Candace Bahouth, have contributed art and objects, and Claudia’s mother Brigid Keenan gifted the fashion photographs in the sitting room.
Britain’s most treasured living garden designer, Penelope Hobhouse, is behind the courtyard garden.
Room rates from £160 per night B&B.
Address: 1 High Street, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0AB
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https://numberonebruton.com/briar/ || https://www.instagram.com/briar_restaurant/
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For further information please contact jessy@lifestyle-collective.co.uk or gabrielle@lifestyle-collective.co.uk