Member Article

Stable Lad opens new Leyburn Restaurant

Following six years of planning, a ‘stable lad’s’ dream of opening a restaurant has now become a reality with the launch of The Saddle Room restaurant at Tupgill Park, Leyburn.

Opening the doors to the public for the first time on Saturday 5th April, the restaurant is already proving an instant hit with visitors with hundreds of guests already dining in the 100 seater restaurant and bar.

Located in the 200 year old converted stables at Tupgill Park, the restaurant features four distinct areas, each with an individual offering. The Hay Loft serves breakfast and then a la Carte menu in the evening and also caters for corporate events and weddings, the Chefs Table is a unique dining experience where guests dine at a horse-shoe-shaped table and benefit from a personal visit from the Chef in Charge, The Saddle Room features booth seating and serves lunch and dinner and the casual Lady Bab Bar serves drinks and bar snack menu.

Leo Morris, who goes by the title of Stable Lad together with Colin Armstrong of Tupgill Park and architect Malcolm Tempest had long wanted to bring an offering for local people and visitors to the Dales which provided high quality food and drinks and over several years the idea was developed and is now a reality. Partners Colin Armstrong CMG OBE and Leo Morris will oversee the venture with Leo taking on the day to day running of the restaurant.

“We are delighted with The Saddle Room, it has been an ambition for many years to strengthen the food and drink offering in the area for local people and visitors. We are excited to have recruited staff from the area and wherever possible are using locally sourced and seasonal produce and we are spoilt for choice given our location as we have excellent farms and vegetable and fruit suppliers on our doorstop.

“Our Head chef Tom Morrell is best known for being a finalist in Professional Masterchef and has worked for some astounding Michelin star restaurants in the UK and Switzerland and we are really excited about Tom’s ideas for a twist on traditional and classical dishes. We also have a 110 bin cellar so that people can explore a whole new world of wines and on selected evenings we will be offering tasters of our exciting wine selection.”

Leo with a background in catering, started out as a pot washer at a hotel in Richmond and after studying cheffing and hotel management for 5 years, took on the role of operations manager at a hotel in Sussex. Leo then moved into the drinks trade and has worked with the world’s largest wine company as well as with small, family owned producers from all over the world.

With a contemporary-rustic charm and an award-winning cellar (Best Craftsmanship Award from the Brick Development Association), in keeping with the architecture and style of the original race horse stable block, The Saddle Room offers modern honest home-cooked cuisine including a few childhood favourites and is set to strengthen the food and drink offering in the Dales.

To book a table, for parties and weddings please contact 01969 640596 or visit www.thesaddleroom.co.uk Twitter @saddleroom or find us on Facebook, The Saddle Room.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Narrative Integrated Communications .