Lettonie (restaurant): Difference between revisions

| established = 1988 <!-- {{Startstart date and age|YYYY|MM|DD1988}} -->

| closed = September 2001 <!-- {{Endend date and age|YYYY2001|MM|DD9}} -->

'''Lettonie''' was a restaurant owned and run by chef [[Martin Blunos]]; it was located in [[Bristol]] until 1998 when it relocated to [[Bath, Somerset]]. It was awarded a [[Michelin star]] in 1992, and a second in 1994; these were held until the restaurant was closed in 2001.<ref>{{cite news |title=Blunos closes Lettonie after 13 years |url=https://www.thecaterer.com/archive/blunos-closes-lettonie-after-13-years |work=The Caterer |date=2 October 2001 |language=en}}</ref>

Lettonie was first opened by [[Martin Blunos]] in [[BristolStoke Bishop]], Bristol in 1988.<ref name=return/> The restaurant was named Lettonie; the French word for Latvia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Martin Blunos, Esq|url=http://www.debretts.com/people/biographies/month/april/3054/Martin+Lauris+BLUNOS.aspx|publisher=''Debrett's''|accessdate=28 August 2016}}</ref> The restaurant could seat 24 diners, but the [[French cuisine]] was considered to be at odds with the location – the restaurant was located in a shopping parade.<ref name=homecoming>{{cite news|title=The Homecoming|url=https://www.thecaterer.com/articles/14669/the-homecoming|accessdate=28 August 2016|work=Caterer and Hotelkeeper|date=11 November 1999}}</ref> After nine years, the restaurant was relocated under the same name some {{convert|11|mi|km}} to his hometown of [[Bath, Somerset]]. While in the second location at Newbridge House, it became a restaurant with rooms.<ref name=return>{{cite news|title=The Return of Martin Blunos|url=https://www.thecaterer.com/articles/55275/the-return-of-martin-blunos|accessdate=28 August 2016|work=Caterer and Hotelkeeper|date=11 October 2004}}</ref> The building was a [[Grade II listed buildings|Grade II listed building]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Newbridge House|url=https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1395939|publisher=Historic England|accessdate=29 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Blunos moves to Bath|url=https://www.thecaterer.com/articles/19175/blunos-moves-to-bath|accessdate=29 August 2016|work=Caterer and Hotelkeeper|date=9 October 1997}}</ref> The location had previously been a hotel with 9 bedrooms, but under Blunos, these were reduced to 4, and a 34-seat restaurant and an 8-seat private dining room were installed.<ref name=homecoming/>

The menu served at Lettonie was predominantly [[French cuisine|French]] in nature, although featured elements of [[Latvian cuisine|Latvian]] cuisine. Dishes include a [[pork belly]] served with [[Morchella|morels]] and a [[celeriac]] pureepurée; at the time, pork belly was an unusual dish to be served in a fine-dining restaurant. Blunos explained that he had originally had a [[pork tenderloin]] as well, but since diners preferred the belly dish, the fillet was dropped.<ref name=homecoming/>

The signature dish of the restaurant was [[Scrambled eggs|scrambled]] duck egg, which was [[flambé|flambéed]]ed tableside with [[vodka]].<ref name=homecoming/> This was then topped with [[Sevruga]] caviar, and served with both buckwheat and plain [[blinis]] as well as chilled vodka.<ref name=homecoming/> A second dish which Blunos became well known for at Lettonie was one which appeared to be [[boiled egg]] and toast soldiers. It was, however, a hollowed out egg filled with vanilla cream and mango [[coulis]]. This was then served with [[shortbread]] that had been sprinkled with sugar and grated chocolate.<ref name=homecoming/>

Lettonie was first awarded a Michelin star in 1992 while located in [[Bristol]]. It was awarded a second star in 1994, and retained those when the restaurant moved to [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] in 1998 until it was permanently closed in 2001.<ref name=stars>{{cite web|title=England |url=http://www.michelinonline.co.uk/travelshop/star-history/2011/rg-eng.htm |publisher=Michelin Online |accessdate=28 August 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010050251/http://www.michelinonline.co.uk/travelshop/star-history/2011/rg-eng.htm |archivedate=10 October 2011 |deadurl=yes |dfurl-status=dead }}</ref> In 1999, [[Harden's]] restaurant guide listed Lettonie as among the best in the country.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Harden's guide now features top Irish venues|url=https://www.thecaterer.com/articles/15490/new-hardens-guide-now-features-top-irish-venues|accessdate=28 August 2016|work=Caterer and Hotelkeeper|date=9 December 1999}}</ref>

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[[Category:HotelsRestaurants in SomersetBristol]]

[[Category:Michelin Guide starred restaurantsHotels in the United KingdomSomerset]]