A NEW restaurant in Harwich has opened its doors offering a monthly rotating six-course tasting menu to tempt food and wine lovers as a “special occasion treat” for all.

The restaurant is the brainchild of Nick May who is landlord at The Alma Inn who wanted to create a fine dining restaurant in the historic town. 

Mr May decided instead of extending the watering hole, which he has run for 15 years, he would buy Lambards next door. 

He hopes Lambards Salt House, in King's Head Street, will offer “fine dining with an edge.”

Mr May said the restaurant would be a “treat rather than an everyday place” with a lot of cutlery but with a relaxed atmosphere.

The set menu is £55 for food and £45 for the accompanying wine flight. 

While Mr May concedes the pricing is high the restaurant will become a place to celebrate special occasions “in style”.  

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Fun - A weekend meal shown at Lambard's Fun - A weekend meal shown at Lambard's (Image: Lambard's Salt House)

The restaurant is only open on Friday and Saturday and the six courses will change monthly meaning that food fans across the region can enjoy a different experience for their regular visits.

Mr May believes another advantage to the testing menu is that they can help people who take “one bad experience of one dish on one day” and determine whether they like certain foods or drinks for the rest of their life.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: Fusion - The Salt House also says it is where fish meets fireFusion - The Salt House also says it is where fish meets fire (Image: Lambard's Salt House)

The only choice at Lambard’s Salt House is that you can swap fish and meat for vegetarian alternatives including diary or microbial food.

The menu will “slowly rotate” based on the seasons, with the January menu including either venison as the meat option or “coal roasted Cinderella pumpkin” as part of the non-meat version.

While the £45 wine flight means you get six different 125ml glasses for each meal including for January, Spanish El Camaron Albarino for the fish course and sweet south African Steenberg Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc for the starter course.

Located in a beautiful building, Lambard’s Salt House aspires to be like an “Italian wedding venue” where people can take it slow, get what they’re given and drink some wine.

Mr May said: “We promise it will be good."