A RESTAURANT is preparing to bring a unique dining experience to Somerset – with a menu showcasing the best ingredients the county has to offer.

Emberwood is due to open in Bath next month, with an offering including open-fire cooking and a “meticulously crafted seasonal menu”.

The opening comes after Bath was named among the world’s top culinary destinations by the Michelin Guide.

Now, after a multi-million-pound restoration project, Emberwood is set to open in Queen Square in May.

The restaurant takes its name, in part, from John Wood the Elder, the architect behind much of Georgian Bath’s architectural grandeur.

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The team behind the project said the restaurant will “showcase a dining experience rooted in local provenance and seasonality, with a dramatic open kitchen and charcoal-fired hearth providing a captivating focal point for guests”.

David Hazell, formerly of Michelin-starred Paco Tapas and Bristol’s Clifton Lido, takes the role of executive head chef, with a menu he said would celebrate “the rich agricultural bounty of Somerset and the South West”.

Starters will include burnt aubergine with goat’s curd, confit tomatoes, green beans, as well as crispy Porthilly oysters with Somerset lardo and spiced ketchup.

Mains further reflect Hazell’s commitment to sourcing the finest local produce, including West Country bavette with anchovy butter, green chilli, and Koffman fries, while vegetarian options include Charred courgette and wild garlic cacio e pepe and Hake with caramelised fennel, samphire and charred potatoes.

Classic British desserts have also been given a fresh modern twist, including miso custard tart with vanilla pod ice cream and chocolate mousse with coca nib brownie, raspberry and tarragon ice cream.

To compliment the food, a cocktail list has been crafted by Zoe Burgess, author of The Cocktail Cabinet and director of Atelier Pip, including Solomon’s Spritz – a crisp blend of Somerset cider brandy, Pomona, Vault Champagne and Oyster vermouth, and Hundred Hills Sparkling Wine, and the Emberwood Negroni, which offers a sophisticated twist with London Dry Gin, Vault Bitter, Sweet Vermouth, and a black cardamom and saffron tincture.

The Emberwood project is being overseen by leading consultancy Five Graces Hospitality, whose portfolio includes London destinations such as Julie’s in Holland Park and Dorian in Notting Hill.

“With its enviable location in the heart of the city and a team of industry leaders behind it, Emberwood is poised to become a must-visit UK dining destination, perfectly complementing Bath’s upcoming year of cultural and culinary celebrations,” a spokesperson said.

Emberwood is set to open at No 5 Queen Square in May. Reservations will open on Thursday (April 3).