We tried the new menu at Gilpin Spice in Windermere

Head chef Tom ‘Westy’ Westerland completely revamped the menu at Gilpin Spice, the restaurant located at the Gilpin Hotel & Lake House near Windermere.

We were invited along to try it - and were not disappointed.

Westy’s new menu showcases casual, social dining at its best and features a range of mouth-watering small plates and sharing dishes.

Tom ‘Westy’ Westerland (Image: Submitted)

It is filled with delights inspired by locations from across the spice trail, all infused with Westy’s fun signature style.

We sampled the '7 of the best'  – a chef’s selection of seven customer favourites that complement one another perfectly and provide a full spectrum of the best dishes on the menu.

This option is perfect for those struggling to decide what options to pick, which are ideal to share or to give you a taste of everything. The menu also provides a plant-based ‘7 of the Best’ for those following that diet.

Visitors can enjoy a burst of flavours from the first bit into the crunchy Pani Puri made with Chickpea thecha, chevda and tamarind water to the sweetness of the mango kulfi 'magnum' with passion fruit, mint and mango.

The favourites on the menu were the Thai roast chicken broth and the slow-cooked ox cheek with rendang sauce, fermented chilli, and crispy onion.

Some of the highlights of the night on the plant-based menu were the Wazwan Tofu with creamy and heartwarming tomato gravy and the chatpata aloo tikki with spice potato enchilada, coriander and tamarind. 

Talking of the inspiration behind some of his dishes, Westy said: “Our ethos at Gilpin Spice is to serve dishes inspired by countries dotted along the Spice Trail, guided by fantastic Cumbrian and British ingredients. We add buckets of flavour, fun and flare to create what we hope is a varied and balanced menu of small plates to enjoy and share”.

Given his background training in Michelin Star restaurants, the fact that Westy has
transitioned so seamlessly into his role as head chef at Gilpin Spice is perhaps no surprise. For five years, Westy trained at Restaurant Hywel Jones, the fine dining offering at Relais & Châteaux Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, which has retained its Michelin star since 2006.

It is safe to say that Westy puts his heart and soul into the dishes he elaborates, with every dish course a trip ready to take us on to the most authentic and unfamiliar flavours, consistencies, and vibrant colours.

Dishes on the new menu at Gilpin Spice range from £7 to £20.