Review: Panoramic Restaurant, Fine Dining at Ascot

Style Points: 5/5
Price: ££
Overall: 5/5

This week I was lucky enough to attend the launch of 2016 Royal Ascot Fine Dining at the Panoramic Restaurant.

There are 12 restaurants to choose from at Ascot Racecourse and The Panoramic Restaurant is a beautiful light and airy space on top of the Grandstand. With unrivaled views of Ascot and the surrounding area, this restaurant has views down the straight mile, perfect for watching the racing action.

Would I Want Seconds?

Ascot Racecourse has appointed two of the nation’s most respected chefs to help deliver its fine dining offer for 2016. Raymond Blanc and Phil Howard (The Square) will host the Panoramic Restaurant and On5 respectively, providing a memorable fine dining experience for racegoers.

Diners at the Panoramic Restaurant will be served a stunning five course lunch followed by afternoon tea. Each course will be paired with Champagnes by Royal Ascot’s Official Champagne partner, Champagne Bollinger. I had a chance to sample this and was very impressed!

Raymond Blanc's salmon confit

Our first course

When we arrived at the restaurant we were greeted by a series of well-presented and delicious canapes including wild mushroom tarts, black truffle arancini and goats cheese rolled in ash and fig puree. These delectable morsels certainly wet our appetite for more.

Once seated our meal started with Raymond Blac’s confit salmon, cucumber ribbons and cauliflower and horseradish creme fraiche. This was a beautifully light dish which wasn’t light on flavour, as the creme fraiche really complimented the salmon. Raymond Blanc himself was also kind enough to come to each table asking us all what we thought of his dish!

The main course was introduced by Gemma Amor, Ascot’s executive chef and consisted of delicate spring lamb, artichoke, smoked ricotta, sweet flavoured grelot onions and lamb jus. Although there were a few elements to this dish, they all came together and complimented each other beautifully.

Gemma Amor's spring lamb

Finally, dessert was served by two michelin starred chef Phil Howard and was strawberries, lemon verbena and Brillat Savarin. This summery dish wasn’t too sweet which helped cleanse the palate and ended the meal very well indeed!

After a spot of betting and exploring the grounds, including a trip to the parade ring, we headed back to the Panoramic Restaurant for a afternoon tea. This was thankfully served buffet style so diners could pick and choose what they wanted to try, a welcome relief after a large lunch! I choose a savory prawn salad and a few petit fours including a rose macaroon and a coffee eclair.

Phil Howard's dessert dish

Dessert

Could I Afford Seconds?

Around 35,000 guests enjoy fine dining at Royal Ascot every year, attracted by the combination of internationally revered Chefs, innovative menus and the unique spectacle of the Royal Meeting.

There are a variety of restaurants to choose from, each with their own individual flavour. This broad range means there is a choice to suit all tastes and budgets for both private and corporate guests. Private Boxes are also available where guests can enjoy a champagne reception, four course menu and private service in their own private space.

Petit fours

Afternoon tea selection

Afternoon tea stand

Overall?

Fine dining has always been an important ingredient of the Royal Ascot experience, which boasts a total of 330 chefs, and 12 private dining facilities.
My experience of Ascot and of the Panoramic Restaurant was stunning, with delicious food, excellent service and beautiful views over Ascot I was certainly impressed. I will definitely be enquiring at one of the restaurants here for the next special occasion!

View from the Panoramic Restaurant

Website: www.ascot.co.uk/fine-dining-ascot-racecourse
Address: Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire SL5 7JX
Closest Station: Ascot