Suspense gathers on the winding approach to Interlude, a restaurant whose discreet entrance sets the stage for an offbeat journey through contemporary British gastronomy. Within the leafy expanse of Leonardslee Gardens, chef Jean Delport orchestrates a tasting experience shaped by both the wildness of the local landscape and an uncompromising vision. Here, boundaries are quietly redrawn, favouring curiosity and precision over more familiar comforts.
There’s a palpable sense of retreat in the dining room—an understated space that signals its intent without overt grandeur. Views of the gardens filter through the windows, subtly rooting the experience in place, though the atmosphere remains shaded with mystery. Lighting is measured, textures thoughtfully juxtaposed; the visual restraint amplifies anticipation for what emerges from the kitchen.
On the plate, Interlude’s menu resists the expected. Delport leans into textural contrasts and exacting technique, forging unexpected pairings with British ingredients at their seasonal peak. The composition of each course is considered, yet never fussy: perhaps a woodland note threaded through with brighter accents, or a singular vegetable transformed to emphasize both clarity and surprise. Sauces and purees arrive in deliberate counterpoint—supporting players, but always essential to the unfolding narrative.
Rather than chasing spectacle, Delport’s approach feels almost quiet in its intensity. The menu evolves with the landscape, occasionally revisiting elements but never repeating itself. Diners are encouraged to dwell on subtleties: the snap of a crisp garnish, the measured smokiness of an oil, or the interplay between earthy and fresh that lingers on the palate. Flavours reveal themselves in layers, with no need for showmanship—just the striving, apparent, for an original sensory impact at each turn.
Interlude’s Michelin star is an acknowledgment of more than technique; it reflects a restless creativity anchored by place and purpose. The experience resists routine, inviting guests to reconsider the boundaries of British fine dining, in a setting that continues to reward those drawn by both intrigue and substance.
