A NEW pop-up restaurant will offer the chance to experience fine dining in the lush surroundings of Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens near Weymouth.

In a link-up with award-winning chef Nick Holt of Dorset Fine Dining, the restaurant will offer a three-course lunch menu on four dates in summer and autumn.

The venue is the new permanent marquee at the gardens, sited within a private area of lawns and exotic planting. It has glass-panelled walls and wide entrances to allow lunch guests to feel they are a part of the gardens.

Nick Holt, head chef and owner of Dorset Fine Dining, is South West Wedding Caterer of the Year 2017 and is the gardens’ selected partner for wedding catering.

He specialises in modern British cuisine 'with a twist' and lucky diners at the pop-up restaurant will be able to select from a special menu, priced at between £30 and £35, freshly prepared in the kitchen alongside the marquee.

Abbotsbury Tourism general manager John Houston says: “ We are very excited to be working with Nick and his team, not only in making sure we provide dream weddings here at the gardens, but also by letting everyone experience a wonderful lunch in these unique surroundings.

“All lunch guests will also get half-price entry into the Gardens to enjoy a stroll after their meal.

“Our marquee is a wonderful space and we are planning many more events over coming months.”

Nick Holt adds: “Speaking for us all at Dorset Fine Dining we are over the moon to be working with Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens on their new project which has so much potential for weddings and events of all kinds.

“We will be doing a series of pop-up restaurants there using locally sourced, seasonal, free range and sustainable produce, however at the same time allowing us the freedom to utilise ingredients further afield. We are very much looking forward to the months ahead and a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”

The pop-up restaurant will be open for lunch on July 5 and 16, September 14 and October 4 2017. Contact the gardens for more information.