James Close to open Terra as summer residency at Rockliffe Hall

James Close is set to open his first project since joining Rockliffe Hall hotel as culinary director.

The 35-cover restaurant, Terra, will open on 13 June for the summer season with a menu offering guests “the best of land and sea, from near and far”.

Terra will be found on the first floor of the hotel, featuring a balcony with views over the 375-acre estate and 18-hole golf course.

Dishes will include bouillabaisse with lobster, scallops and seabass; carabineros grilled over charcoal with garlic, wine, chilli and parsley; and a signature sushi selection combining kabayaki eel, foie gras, purple shiso and wasabi.

Close said: “At Terra, we are cooking food that focuses on great ingredients and great flavours, both from near and far. It’s a relaxed experience where guests can order a selection of plates from different sections of the menu, to share or not, and enjoy with a few glasses of interesting wine.”

Shauna Robb, general manager at Rockliffe Hall, added: “[Terra] marks the first phase in developing the offering at Rockliffe Hall as part of our journey to become a world-class luxury destination.”

Close closed his two-Michelin-starred Raby Hunt restaurant in County Durham after 14 years in January to take up the new position at nearby Rockliffe Hall. He is due to open a new permanent restaurant at the hotel in 2025.

Photo: Ben Benoliel