This was a much-anticipated event which actually lived up to my expectations.
![Cream cheese wafer](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-3-copy-300x225.jpg)
Cream cheese wafer
The ambience at l’Enclume was good and the organisation superb. They coped amazingly well with our party: the seven guests included a highly-allergic coeliac disease sufferer, someone highly allergic to fish and nuts, two vegetarians/pisctatorians (I think that’s what the head waiter described us as – people who don’t eat meat, but do eat everything else).
![Oyster pebbles](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Small-lEnclume-Oyster-Pebbles-300x225.jpg)
Oyster pebbles
There were over twenty courses. The first one (I had to put the third one at the top because it was so spectacular) was oyster pebbles! The oyster pebbles were fish-flavoured marange, which was a light grey colour, with creamed oysters within.
![Icicles with shiso vinegar](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-1-copy-300x225.jpg)
Icicles with shiso vinegar
The “icicles” were little radishes with special sweet vinegar
![Dock pudding with nettle, Smoked eel with lovage](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-4-copy-300x225.jpg)
Dock pudding with nettle, Smoked eel with lovage
These were an example of how they coped with vegetarians, non-fish eaters, etc.
![Ragstone cheese, malt, artichoke](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-5-copy-300x225.jpg)
Ragstone cheese, malt and artichoke
![lEncluse 6 copy](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-6-copy-300x225.jpg)
Wafers with calamint and dill
Ragstone cheese is a goats cheese. The ingredients are mostly local, or obtained locally.
![Pea and calamint crab sack](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-7-copy-300x225.jpg)
Pea and calamint crab sack
I asked the waiter what these were, and had to be told that the “sacks” were ceramic, and it would be better if I didn’t try to eat them. I’m not sure what “calamint” is, but the overall taste sensation was, well, sensational.
![Cod "yolk" with watercress runner beans, salt and vinegar](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-8-copy-300x225.jpg)
Cod “yolk” with watercress runner beans, salt and vinegar
![Atlas carrots, chicken of the woods truffle and nasturtium](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-9a-copy-300x225.jpg)
Atlas carrots, chicken of the woods truffle and nasturtium
Atlas carrots are a local variety. “Chicken of the woods” is a type of mushroom.
![Valley venison, charcoal oil, mustard and fennel](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-11-copy-300x225.jpg)
Valley venison, charcoal oil, mustard and fennel
This was one of the dishes that I did not taste, but John told me it was one of the highlights for him.
![lEncluse 10 copy](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-10-copy-300x225.jpg)
This was the vegetarian version, with beetroot. It was an excellent substitute.
![lEncluse 12a copy](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-12a-copy-300x225.jpg)
Grilled scallop and cauliflower
Scallop and grilled cauliflower – who would think of putting these together? It worked well.
![Valley offerings](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-13-copy-300x225.jpg)
Valley offerings
A selection of edible flowers from the area around Cartmel!
![Wild bass, sandwort and thyme, grilled courgette with cockle](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-14-copy-300x225.jpg)
Wild bass, sandwort and thyme, grilled courgette with cockle
![Blueberry gooseberry and honey wine](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-15-2-copy-300x225.jpg)
Blueberry gooseberry and honey wine
![lEncluse 20 copy](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-20-copy-300x225.jpg)
Plum, malt and caramel.
![Anise hyssop, raspberry, milk skin](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-17-4-copy-300x225.jpg)
Anise hyssop, raspberry, milk skin
![Sweet clover, cherries,cider and hazlenut](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-22-copy-300x225.jpg)
Sweet clover, cherries, cider and hazelnut
![Sea buckthorn, sweet cheese, woodruff](http://box5457.temp.domains/~coulshed/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/lEncluse-18-copy-300x225.jpg)
Sea buckthorn, sweet cheese, woodruff
One of the few things which didn’t work: most of these tiny “ice creams” were fine, but sea buckthorn was not particularly nice. I don’t know what it is. The ice creams were about 3cm long, and mounted in a large pebble with six holes bored in it.