[Dinner Review] Indulge in a Luxurious Full-Course Dinner at a Real Castle – Affordable Yet Royal Experience (UK Castle Stay Guide Part 3)

In my previous article, I shared my stay experience at Thornbury Castle, a hidden gem in England. This time, I’ll introduce in detail the tasting course dinner that made the castle stay even more special.

Check out my previous article here!

[Room Tour] Staying in a Real Castle Once Home to an English King – Affordable Luxury That Makes You Feel Like Royalty (UK Castle Stay Guide Part 2)

From Pub Food to Tasting Course

Initially, I had planned to go into the town of Thornbury to enjoy some pub food. However, after receiving a suggestion from the staff about the tasting course, I decided to give it a try. In retrospect, this choice was absolutely right. Looking back, the stay at Thornbury Castle might have felt incomplete without this dinner course.

Thornbury Castle’s tasting course is a full-fledged course dinner consisting of six dishes. The price is £95 per person, with an additional £70 for wine pairing or £50 for non-alcoholic drink pairing. One of the attractions of this course is the carefully selected drinks that complement each dish.

For those unfamiliar with the term “tasting menu,” it’s essentially similar to a full course meal. Technically, it refers to a course menu that provides small portions of many dishes, but for those with smaller appetites, it’s definitely a substantial full course experience.

Course Details and Food Review

The tasting menu we enjoyed was as follows:

1. Leek & Potato Espuma
– Accompaniments: Onion Crumb, Leek Oil
– Wine Pairing: White Rabbit Riesling 2022, Germany

The smooth espuma harmonized the flavors of leek and potato in perfect balance. The onion crumb provided an accent, while the leek oil enhanced the aroma. The German Riesling wine paired excellently.

2. Diver Scallop
– Accompaniments: Red Pepper Purée, Sauce Vierge, Samphire
– Wine Pairing: Oremus Furmint 2020, Hungary

The sweetness of the fresh scallops and the acidity of the red pepper purée harmonized beautifully. The saltiness of the samphire added an accent, and the Hungarian wine further enhanced the charm of this dish.

3. Pâté en Croûte

– Accompaniments: Rare Breed Pork, Truffle Dijon Mustard, Garden Pickles
– Wine Pairing: Drappier Rose Champagne, France

The pâté wrapped in pastry was concentrated with the umami of pork, and the aroma of truffle added a luxurious touch. The acidity of the garden pickles tied everything together, and it paired perfectly with the rosé champagne. Interestingly, the pickles used in this dish were made from vegetables grown in the castle’s garden. I had the opportunity to hear about the garden’s charm beyond its beauty from the gardener the next day, which I plan to report in a separate article.

4. Rare Beef Steak

– Accompaniments: Rösti, Carrot, Spinach
– Wine Pairing: Babylonstoren Shiraz 2021, South Africa

This main dish was the most impressive for me. The generous steak, about 5cm thick, was perfectly seared on the outside while the juicy red meat peeked through inside. When cutting into it, the meat juices flowed out, creating an unforgettable aroma and taste.

5. Apple Dessert
– Accompaniments: Jelly, Rosemary Cream, Cider, Black Pepper
– Pairing: Ice Cyder, Somerset

The refreshing apple flavor matched perfectly with the aroma of rosemary cream. The spiciness of black pepper tightened the overall dish, and it paired excellently with the Somerset Ice Cyder.

6. Rhubarb Pavlova
– Accompaniments: Lemon Balm, Rhubarb Juice
– Wine Pairing: Chateau de Stoney, 2022, France

The light texture of meringue combined perfectly with the tangy rhubarb. The aroma of lemon balm enhanced the overall dish, and it paired excellently with the sweet French wine.

The cuisine at Thornbury Castle is based on French cooking. In fact, many high-end restaurants in England serve French cuisine. Perhaps refined French dishes better meet the needs of guests seeking a special experience compared to traditional English cuisine.

Majestic Dining Hall

Dinner at Thornbury Castle offers not just great food but also a wonderful atmosphere. The dining hall is located on the ground floor of the castle. Like the guest rooms, it features a majestic and classical interior unique to castles. Interestingly, there were hardly any foreign tourists; most guests seemed to be from the surrounding areas of England. This is because Thornbury Castle is not featured in typical tourist guidebooks and is a hidden spot known only to those in the know. People seem to visit for special occasions like anniversaries.

To maintain this atmosphere, it’s necessary to dress appropriately. Avoid overly casual attire; smart casual to formal wear is preferable.

Points to Note

If you have food allergies or intolerances, it’s recommended to inform the staff in advance. Also, please note that a 10% service charge is automatically added to the bill.

Final Thoughts

The dining experience at Thornbury Castle became more than just a meal; it was a memorable event. It was a luxurious time that transcended space and time, enjoying modern French cuisine in a medieval castle. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend experiencing this special treat.

In my next article, I plan to report on breakfast (English breakfast) and afternoon tea at Thornbury Castle. Look forward to the luxurious experience of savoring traditional English food culture in a historic castle!

Book your stay at Thornbury Castle at the best price here!

[Morning Edition] Full English Breakfast in a Real Castle! Feel Like Royalty Without Breaking the Bank – UK Castle Stay Guide (Part 4)