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Doing The Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis, Dorset

The Wick Culture - Hix Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis, Image © Matt Austin

Above Hix Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis, Image © Matt Austin

The Oyster & Fish House, Lyme Regis, Dorset

From 12 April 2021, the Deck is open Monday to Sunday: 12pm-10pm

The Oyster & Fish House, the latest solo venture of restaurateur Mark Hix, is every bit as seductive as you’d hope. Perched on the hillside with views of The Cobb and Jurassic Coast, this metropolitan hotspot serves up the very best local produce, fish and seafood.

The bright, airy site boasts simple white wooden furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows and a view that makes the long drive from London worth it. Although the restaurant is currently closed, the outdoor deck is open and can now be booked online. (Check the weather in advance as the terrace is not completely covered.)

Start with oysters, rocks or natives, before trying the Cornish red mullet soup. When it comes to mains, we’d recommend the Dublin Bay prawn burger and the Grilled Lyme Bay lobster. But save room for pudding: the Peruvian chocolate mousse is too delicious to miss.

The drinks menu also spotlights British produce. Wines are sourced from local vineyards including Lyme Bay Winery, while beers hail from the South West. Seasonal cocktails showcase local spirits such as Julian Temperley’s Somerset Cider Brandy.

If you can’t nab a table, head to Mark’s fish truck, a converted Chevrolet ambulance, offering local fish and seafood to cook at home. It pitches up outside Felicity’s Farm Shop in Morcombelake each week, but you’ll need to check Facebook for opening times.

Doing The Berkeley Beach Huts at The Berkeley Hotel, London

The Wick Culture - The Berkeley Beach Huts, Images courtesy of The Berkeley

Above The Berkeley Beach Huts, Images courtesy of The Berkeley

The Berkeley Beach Huts at The Berkeley Hotel, London

From 12 April 2021
Open from Monday-Sunday at 7.30-10.30am for breakfast, from noon for all day dining until late (last sitting 9.30pm)

Popping up at the Berkeley hotel for the summer are five rainbow coloured beach huts, inspired by iconic British seaside towns from Whitstable to Padstow. Expect rustic wooden tables, nautical decor and retro seaside classics. There’s also terrace and countertop dining for parties of less than six.

Unsurprisingly seafood takes centre stage: small sharing plates include crab on sourdough, baked scallops, grilled langoustine and freshly-shucked oysters. Mains are equally hearty: fish and chips with a 5-star twist and mussels in white wine sauce are notable highlights. But there are also meaty options to savour, in particular the tomahawk steak with chimichurri sauce. To finish order the ‘Gourmet 99’, traditional soft serve vanilla ice cream cones with lashings of flakes and toppings.

Breakfast-goers should try the ‘seaside benedict’ or Scottish smoked salmon flatbread with caviar, while those booked in for lunch should look to the ultra-decadent brioche lobster rolls.

Drinks-wise, order marine-inspired cocktails such as the zesty ‘Sailor Sour’ to maximise the immersive seaside experience. There’s also cherry or orange shandy if you’re feeling brave.

With oodles of charm and Riviera glamour, the Berkeley Beach Huts are a magnificent celebration of the Great British Staycation. Just be prepared to eat late — tables are booking fast.

Doing The Macallan Manor House at Rosewood London