The Hopping Hare
Secret garden that is no longer a hidden treasure
Sunshine, a refreshing drink, excellent food – it’s what summer is all about and it’s all there to be enjoyed with family and friends in a ‘secret garden’ in Northampton. Visitors to T e Hopping Hare are well aware of its reputation
for fi ne dining – as one of only fi ve 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 off er. 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 T e 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. T e already-impressive menu has been enhanced with fi ve
dishes that are ideal for al fresco dining: ■ Soy and sesame salmon and crayfi sh 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 fi llet of cod with saff ron potatoes, pod salad, black olive tapenade, watercress and cumin sauce.
In addition to the fi ne dining experience, inside and out, T e
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, T e 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.”
Contact T e Hopping Hare on 01604 580090, email
info@hoppinghare.com or visit the website
www.hoppinghare.com
ALL THINGS BUSINESS | 48
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