Festival Dining at Garsington Opera
We’re delighted to be working with our loyal caterers Feasts once again this year. With a host of pre-performance and interval dining options, there is something for everyone in this year’s offering.
This year we have combined the booking process for our guests, so that all tents, tables and dining will be booked via the Garsington Opera Box Office alongside your tickets. We have added variety to the dining by changing the menu halfway through the season, which is designed particularly to appeal to our many guests who visit us a number of times. We have also introduced a new approach to our starters where we will be serving a number of plates for the table to share.
Full details of the menu can be found below, including a comprehensive wine list chosen in consultation with our wine supplier, Corney & Barrow. Booking instructions can be found at the bottom of the page.
To give you a taste of what to expect, here is a note from Feasts’ Head Chef:
“It is an honour to have the opportunity to create the menu for Garsington Opera this season. My wonderful experience at Garsington last year has informed many aspects of this menu. Simple, punchy flavours are elegantly paired bringing vibrant colour and the taste of summer to the plate. To enrich the dining experience in the stunning location, we’ve created enticing sharing starters which will introduce a very special dining experience to maximise on variety and flavour.”
David Davey-Smith | Head Chef
Pre-Performance
We are delighted to offer you a range of pre-performance dining options.
Our canapé platters are perfect to share with your guests before the opera, and can be served at the Champagne Bar or delivered to your pre-booked picnic tent. Canapés must be booked in advance.
Our selection of afternoon teas are served overlooking the famous Wormsley Cricket Ground and can be booked in advance or purchased on the day.
Detailed allergen information for each dish can be found in our Allergen Guide linked below.
Canapés
£11.50 per person
Includes all of the following:
Air-dried ham, hung ricotta and peach on oatcake
Summer pea and feta tart, spring onion jam (v)
Juniper-cured tuna, English wasabi, nori
Pickled Golden beetroot, goat’s cheese, pink pepper (v)
Cream Tea
£10 per person
Includes all of the following:
Buttermilk scone
Clotted cream
Strawberry jam
Classic English breakfast or speciality tea
Afternoon Tea
£23 per person
Includes all of the following:
Hog roast sausage roll
Smoked salmon, whipped goat’s cheese sandwich
Vintage cheddar, spring onion, chutney sandwich (v)
Treacle tart (v)
Chocolate brownie (v)
Mini buttermilk scone, clotted cream, strawberry jam (v)
Classic English breakfast or speciality tea
Individual items above are available to purchase on the day
Vegan Afternoon Tea
£23 per person
Includes all of the following:
Vegan “nduja” and roasted squash sausage roll
Griddled courgette, pesto, rocket sandwich
Harissa chickpea, carrot, spinach sandwich
Ginger cake
Chocolate brownie
Classic English breakfast or speciality tea
Individual items above are available to purchase on the day
Interval Restaurant Dining
A delicious three-course dinner including coffee, still water and after-dinner truffles all served during the interval in the beautifully dressed Boundary Room Restaurant overlooking the Wormsley Cricket Ground.
£92 per person
Early Season Menu: 29 May to 2 July
Late Season Menu: 4 July to 23 July
Detailed allergen information for each dish can be found in our Allergen Guide linked below.
Starters – Sharing Plates for the Table
A combination of four sharing plates will be provided for the table, taking into account any dietary requirements. Quantities of each will be adjusted according to the number of guests dining.
Early Season
29 May to 2 July
Includes all four dishes to share:
Roasted beetroot with Golden Cross goat’s cheese, pine nuts (v)
Wykeham Park asparagus with brown butter hollandaise, tarragon (v)
Golden hummus, dukkha spice, toasted flat bread (v)
Potted prawn, brown shrimp butter, toasted sourdough
Late Season
4 July to 23 July
Includes all four dishes to share:
Wild mushroom, comté cheese gougère (v)
Wykeham Park asparagus with brown butter hollandaise, tarragon (v)
Vine-ripened tomato, aged beef salami, griddled focaccia
Chargrilled tenderstem broccoli, pesto, preserved lemon (v)
Mains
Early Season
29 May to 2 July
Slow-cooked West Country lamb, crushed new potatoes, summer cabbage, roasted artichoke
Corn-fed chicken breast, nduja and red pepper piperade, Manchego croqueta, ajo blanco
North coast cod loin, heritage carrots, roast fennel, Jersey royals
Poached red onion, wild mushroom, spelt risotto, summer peas and beans (v)
Late Season
4 July to 23 July
Slow-roast short rib of beef, potato purée, spring greens, Roscoff onion purée
Corn-fed chicken breast, sweetcorn and spelt risotto, wild mushrooms, sorrel and crispy sage
Brixham hake, crab bisque, sea chard, Jersey royals
Roast Lincolnshire cauliflower, curried coconut sauce, red pepper chutney (v)
Desserts
Early Season
29 May to 2 July
Lemon tart, limoncello, fresh raspberries
Chocolate “Opera Cake”, salted almond praline, clotted cream
Summer berries, strawberry & lime gazpacho, shortbread
Local cheeses, artisanal crackers, homemade chutney
Late Season
4 July to 23 July
Choux au craquelin, strawberry mousse, Featherbed strawberries
Chocolate “Opera Cake”, salted almond praline, clotted cream
Gooseberry compote, orange fool, ginger snap
Local cheeses, artisanal crackers, homemade chutney
Picnic Dining
All picnics are presented in a wicker hamper, served on china at your table.
When you book a picnic, you will be allocated a space in shared tents overlooking the Cricket Ground. If you would prefer your picnic to be served in a Deer Park tent, table or private venue, this should be booked alongside your dining at checkout.
Should you wish to explore our tents, tables and private dining venues, further information can be found on our dining page.
Detailed allergen information for each dish can be found in our Allergen Guide linked below.
Garsington Gourmet Picnic
£76 per person
Includes all of the following:
Duck liver parfait, Pedro Ximenez, pickled walnut
Piquillo pepper hummus, chimichurri, smoked almonds (v)
Sirloin of beef, summer squash, aged parmesan
Miso-cured salmon, fennel, cucumber & yuzu
Artichoke Caesar salad, summer pods & radicchio (v)
Wild rice with herbs, pomegranate (v)
Heritage carrot & red cabbage slaw, golden raisins (v)
Summer berries, brown butter treacle tart, clotted cream (v)
Local cheeses, artisanal crackers
Pane carasau & toasted rosemary bread
Still water
Coffee or tea
Summer Picnic
£60 per person
Includes all of the following:
Burrata, dressed asparagus, pesto (v)
Piquillo pepper hummus, chimichurri, smoked almonds (v)
Wild mushroom and caramelised onion galette, goat’s cheese (v)
Chicken or artichoke (v) Caesar, dressed summer pods & radicchio (to be specified at booking)
Wild rice & herb, pomegranate (v)
Heritage carrot & red cabbage slaw, golden raisins (v)
Summer berries, indulgent chocolate brownie, clotted cream (v)
Pane carasau & toasted rosemary bread
Still water
Coffee or tea
Traditional Picnic
£51 per person
Includes all of the following:
Burrata, dressed asparagus, pesto (v)
Chicken or artichoke (v) Caesar, dressed summer pods & radicchio (to be specified at booking)
Wild rice with herbs, pomegranate (v)
Heritage carrot & red cabbage slaw, golden raisins (v)
Summer berries, indulgent chocolate brownie, clotted cream (v)
Pane carasau & toasted rosemary bread
Still water
Wine List
A selection of wines will be available for purchase on the evening from the Champagne Bar or at your table in the restaurant. Pre-orders are encouraged alongside your dining reservation.
Champagne
Pre-ordered Champagne will be served pre-performance at the Champagne Bar unless otherwise requested.
| 1 | Deutz Brut Classic | £78.00 |
| 2 | Deutz Rose | £79.50 |
| 3 | Deutz Blanc De Blancs | £96.00 |
| 4 | Deutz Brut Classic (Half Bottle) | £39.00 |
White Wine
| 5 | Corney & Barrow Blanc, IGP Côtes de Gascogne, Plaimont, France, 2022 |
£28.00 |
| 6 | La Muse de Cabestany Chardonnay Viognier, Celliers Jean d’Alibert, IGP Pays d’Oc, France, 2022 |
£32.00 |
| 7 | Mucchietto Fiano, IGT Puglia, Italy, 2022 |
£35.00 |
| 8 | Picpoul de Pinet, Domaine Morin-Langaran, Languedoc Roussillon, France, 2022 |
£39.00 |
| 9 | Ana Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2022 |
£42.00 |
| 10 | Gavi di Gavi DOCG, Fratelli Antonio e Raimondo, Piedmont, Italy, 2022 |
£42.00 |
| 11 | Corney & Barrow White Burgundy, Maison Auvigue, Burgundy, France, 2022 |
£52.00 |
| 12 | Die Agteros, Chenin Blanc, Joostenberg Estate, Paarl, South Africa, 2022 |
£57.00 |
| 13 | Sancerre ‘Caillottes’, Domaine La Croix Saint-Laurent, Loire, France 2022 |
£69.00 |
| 14 | Chablis 1er Cru Les Lys, Domaine Vincent Dampt, Burgundy, France, 2022 |
£74.00 |
| 15 | Mâcon-Verzé, Domaines Leflaive, Burgundy, France, 2022 |
£78.00 |
| 16 | Saint-Aubin Dents de Chien 1er Cru, Olivier Leflaive, Burgundy, France, 2021 |
£95.00 |
White Wine Half Bottles
| 17 | Sauvignon Blanc, DOP Colli Orientali del Friuli, Tunella, Italy, 2022 |
£19.00 |
| 18 | Sancerre Domaine Tissier, Loire, France, 2022 |
£25.00 |
| 19 | Chablis Domaine Vincent Dampt, Burgundy, France, 2022 |
£34.00 |
Red Wine
| 20 | Corney & Barrow Rouge, Celliers Jean d’Alibert, Vin de France, , France, 2022 |
£28.00 |
| 21 | Corney & Barrow Claret, Maison Sichel, Bordeaux, France, 2020 |
£32.00 |
| 22 | Altos de Baroja, Rioja Joven, Bodegas Heredad de Baroja, Rioja, Spain, 2020 |
£32.00 |
| 23 | Anko Malbec, Estancia Los Cardones, Salta Argentina, 2022 |
£36.50 |
| 24 | Corney & Barrow Côtes du Rhône, Vignobles Gonnet, Rhône, France, 2020 |
£41.00 |
| 25 | Fleurie La Madone, Domaine Lathuilière-Gravallon, Burgundy, France, 2022 |
£45.00 |
| 26 | Cabernet Merlot, Fraser Gallop Estate, Margaret River, Australia, 2020 |
£48.00 |
| 27 | Crozes-Hermitage Rouge ‘Esquisse’, Domaine des Hauts-Châssis, Rhône, France, 2021 |
£57.00 |
| 28 | Pinot Noir, Elephant Hill, Central Otago, New Zealand, 2020 |
£58.00 |
| 29 | Château Barrail du Blanc, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 2018 |
£60.00 |
| 30 | Beaune Les Teurons 1er Cru, Domaine Rossignol-Trapet, Burgundy, France, 2017 |
£92.00 |
| 31 | L’Espérance de Trotanoy, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, 2017 |
£102.00 |
Red Wine Half Bottles
| 32 | Corney & Barrow Claret, Maison Sichel, Bordeaux, France, 2018 |
£19.00 |
| 33 | Belezos Rioja Crianza, Bodegas Zugober, Rioja, Spain, 2020 |
£27.00 |
| 34 | Il Pino di Biserno, Tenuta di Biserno, IGT Rosso Toscana, Tuscany, Italy, 2021 |
£52.00 |
Rosé Wine
| 35 | Source Gabriel Rosé, AOC Côtes de Provence, France, 2022 |
£35.00 |
| 36 | Sancerre Rosé, Comte Jean Maréchal, Henri Bourgeois, Loire, France, 2021 |
£43.00 |
| 37 | Domaines Ott Clos Mireille Rosé, AOC Côtes de Provence, France, 2021/22 |
£68.00 |
Sweet Wine
| 38 | Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise Half Bottle, Domaine de Coyeux, Rhône, France, 2012 |
£25.00 |
| 39 | Corney & Barrow Sauternes Half Bottle, Bordeaux, France, 2016 |
£34.00 |
Drinks
| Sparking Water | £4.50 | |
| Gin and Tonic | £14.00 | |
| Non Alcoholic Beer | £4.50 | |
| Elderflower Presse | £3.00 |
Corkage will be charged at £21 per bottle when dining in the Boundary Room Restaurant. If you are picnicking and you require glassware and chilling for your wine, there will be charge of £21 per table.
In the event that stock of a wine becomes exhausted, a wine of a similar quality, price or vintage will be substituted.
Downloadable copies of the menu can be found below, both with and without prices.
How to Book
Tent, table and dining options are available to book when buying your tickets or paying for your reservation as part of the checkout process.
If you already have a paid ticket booking, visit the Orders area of your account to add tents, tables and dining to your order.
If you are making a dining reservation for your party, but the tickets have been purchased by somebody else, please contact the Box Office on boxoffice@garsingtonopera.org or 01494 376037.
To book online, please follow the steps below:
- For existing ticket bookings, Go to the Orders area of your account. If you are booking tickets in a new order, skip to step 3.
- If you have already paid for your tickets, find your order number in ‘Your upcoming orders’ and click the ‘Add tents, tables or dining’. For priority booking requests, find your order number in ‘Your reserved orders’ and click ‘Add to basket’
- Continue through the checkout steps until you get to ‘Tents, Tables and Dining’.
- To add a Deer Park tent or table to your order, choose your picnic space, and then the corresponding date from the list available. Please note, spaces will need to be added per-performance.
- Add your Feasts dining, choose your preferred menu (e.g. Pre-Performance, Interval Dining, Interval Picnic), and then the date to submit your choices. This needs to be repeated for each date in your booking.
- Once you have selected your meal choices, please provide any dietary information in the boxes provided giving corresponding dishes. Please make sure you click save before continuing.
- Continue through the checkout steps and carefully review your booking which will detail all tickets, tent & table reservations, and dining choices.
- If you are happy with your selection, agree to the terms and conditions and proceed to payment.
All dietary requirements should be included at the time of booking. To discuss requirements in more detail, or for severe allergies, please contact the Box Office.
Please note, provisional menu choices and payment must be made at the time of booking. The Box Office team will be happy to assist you with changes to your dining booking up to seven days before the date of your visit. These must be communicated via the Box Office by email on boxoffice@garsingtonopera.org or 01494376037.
Before completing your booking, please make yourself aware of Feasts’ dining booking policy.