Name: Bistro at the Distillery

Where: The Lakes Distillery, Setmurthy, near Bassenthwaite Lake CA13 9SJ

Website: www.lakesdistillery.com/bistro

Tel: 017687 88850

Email: bistro@lakesdistillery.com

Opening hours: Daily 10am until late.

Owner/chef: Part of The Lakes Distillery Company plc, under the guidance of 21 Group founder Terry Laybourne.

History: Nestled in a former Victorian cattle parlour on the site of The Lakes Distillery, the bistro’s surroundings and inspirations are reassuringly solid, natural and rooted in the Lake District, and this is reflected in the food; honest, generous, made with local produce and full of flavour.

Style of food: The bistro’s kitchen is focused on local produce and honest, hearty flavours.

Menu sample: Starters include tomato and mint soup (£5.90); ham hock terrine with gamekeepers relish (£8.50) gin cured salmon with pickled cucumber (£9); Cumbrian farmhouse cheese and spinach soufflé (£9.90); seared scallops with mango and red onion salsa (£12.50).

Main courses include leek, potato and goat’s cheese frittata with new potatoes and herb salad (£13.90); fishcakes with buttered spinach, fish cream and thin-cut chips (£14); corn-fed chicken with bacon and chive mash and girolles (£17.80); ribeye steak with herb butter, thin-cut chips and crisp salad (£25.50); fillet steak with roast tomato, fine beans, and hand-cut chips (£29.50).

Desserts include whisky panna cotta with raspberries and honeycomb (£6.20); sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream (£6.95); bitter chocolate truffle with orange ice cream (£7.20); Cumbrian Farmhouse cheeses with biscuits, grapes and apple chutney (£8.95); a mini dessert of carrot cake, vanilla and raspberry macaroon or mini chocolate brownie served with coffee (£5.50).

Between December 21 and 24, youngsters have the chance to meet Santa Claus (and receive a gift) as he comes to The Lakes for a series of special breakfasts at the bistro.

In their own words: “Bistro at The Distillery is as relaxed and welcoming as its views are grand and mesmerising.

“It’s a place for a coffee and slice of home-made cake or a delicious three-course meal. It is the perfect place for a kitchen focused on local produce and honest, hearty flavours.”