A RESTAURANT and bar on an historic estate in Corsham is celebrating its first anniversary.

Since opening its doors a year ago, Jack's Restaurant and Bar on the Hartham Park estate has gone from strength to strength.

As a reflection of its popularity, the restaurant and bar has been extended allowing room for up to 44 more guests.

The new dining area was officially launched on Thursday at a VIP birthday celebration.

The venue's atmosphere is billed as "elegant and refined but understated" and its menu, which changes regularly, includes fresh fish, game and home-grown seasonal vegetables.

Bernice Reed, general manager, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the positive response to Jack's over the past 12 months, from people of all ages visiting for a range of occasions.

"We have had a great deal of positive feedback about the food, service and location, and we have customers returning time and time again.

"We want people to have an enjoyable and memorable dining experience, and that's what we pride ourselves on providing."

The restaurant's head chef is Andrew McNaughton, who has worked for TV chef Antony Worrall Thompson at London's 190 Queen's Gate, as well as for Henry Harris at Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge.

He also spent a year working in Australia for Neil Perry at Sydney's Rockpool, before returning to the UK and London's famous Oxo Tower Restaurant, working with Michelin star chef Patrick McDonald, achieving a Michelin Red M for the quality of their food.

Starters range in price from £3.50 to £5.95, with options including deep fried dim sum with sweet chilli, coriander and tomato and ham hock and chicken terrine with toasted brioche and an apple and walnut salad.

Main courses include pasta and rice dishes, as well as meat, poultry and fish dishes. Prices range from £9.95 to £20.95.

Dishes range from roast fillet of beef with wild mushroom and tarragon gratin to roast Cornish sea bass with provençale gallette, tomato and butter sauce.

Desserts are priced from £4.25 to £6.95 and include limoncello panacotta with raspberries and warm apple tart with clotted cream and rum and raisin syrup.

As well as being a destination for evening diners, Jack's Restaurant and Bar has proved to be a popular venue during the day.

A range of drinks and light meals are on the menu and those on a working lunch can enjoy the benefits of a Wi-Fi connection.

FACT FILE:
  • Jack's Restaurant and Bar, Hartham Park, is accessible from the A4. Take the Hartham Lane turn-off. Tel: (01249) 700100 or email service@jacks restaurantandbar.co.uk
  • The bar is open 8am-6pm on Mondays, 8am-11pm Tuesday-Saturdays and 11am-6pm on Sundays. Food is served 8am-4pm on Mondays, 8am-4pm and 6.30pm to 9pm Tuesday-Thursdays, 8am-4pm and 6.30pm-10pm Friday and Saturdays and 12pm-3pm on Sundays.
  • Booking advised, especially at weekends, although you are welcome at the bar without any obligation to eat.
  • There is plenty of on-site parking.