Bistro 1365 Soft Launch Success
(Photograph by Zach Levens)
On 26th February 2025, we were thrilled to welcome friends and family to the soft launch of Bistro 1365 at Founders’ Hall. What began as an idea from the team at Life’s Kitchen late last year became a reality after months of hard work and planning.
The atmosphere was warm and welcoming as our guests enjoyed the first taste of our seasonal prix fixe menu and experienced the unique charm of our intimate venue. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and many guests expressed excitement about returning. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for this special test run.
The newly refurbished kitchen was really put to the test (Photograph by Zach Levens)
A Taste of What’s to Come
The soft launch menu was a hit, with every course receiving rave reviews.
We kicked things off with reception nibbles served with Chef’s compliments, setting the tone for what was to come. From there, the starters on offer were:
Roast Chicken & Leek Terrine with homemade Piccalilli
Herb Crusted Monkfish Cheeks with artichoke puree, crisp pancetta, and baby leaf
Watercress Soup with sour cream & sippets (vegan)
For mains, our guests were treated to a selection of hearty and flavourful dishes, including:
Slow Cooked Pork Osso Buco with bean cassoulet and herb polenta
Roast Salmon Piccata with green onion crushed potato, purple sprouting broccoli, and baby carrot
Leek, Blue Cheese & Parsnip Wellington with spring greens, champ, and thyme sauce (vegan)
For those seeking a real indulgence, we offered a Bistro 1365 Chateaubriand served with garlic roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and béarnaise sauce (a supplement of £12.50 per person).
Dessert options were:
Rhubarb Fool with ginger crumb
Cinnamon Crème Brûlée with a hazelnut biscuit
Chef’s Fresh Cut Fruit Plate (vegan, gluten-free)
For cheese lovers, our Cheeseboard featuring Barbers Cheddar, Rosary Goats Cheese, Isle of Wight Blue, and Brie with dried apricots, celery, walnuts, and crackers was a perfect finale.
To wash it all down, we offered a carefully curated drinks list, including signature serves like the Salcombe Gin "Four Seas" with Fever Tree tonic and Vesper Martinis, along with a selection of wines, beers, and mocktails to complement the meal.
Friends and family kindly offering their assistance in ‘testing’ what was on offer (Photograph by Zach Levens)
Looking Ahead
Our guests left with full bellies and smiles, already looking forward to booking another visit. It was clear that this intimate, exclusive dining experience is something people will be eager to return to month after month.
Bistro 1365 is about more than just the food; it’s about the experience. Set inside our beloved Hall, a space usually closed to the public, every aspect—from the atmosphere to the thoughtfully crafted dishes—combines to create a really unique dining occasion.
Reserve Your Spot
With limited dates and seats, Bistro 1365 is an experience you won’t want to miss. We’ll be serving up exquisite seasonal menus on select dates each month, and reservations are essential to secure your place.
Book your table now and join us for a truly special dining experience at Founders’ Hall—where history and exceptional cuisine meet.