With the new one metre plus rule in place for social distancing how are our county restuarants planning their reopenings from Super Saturday and beyond

Great British Life: Fish and chips with mushy peas, Seasons at The Eastbury style Photo: The EastburyFish and chips with mushy peas, Seasons at The Eastbury style Photo: The Eastbury (Image: Archant)

Alexandra Hotel & Restaurant, Lyme Regis: This award-winning hotel and restaurant overlooking Lyme Regis has sensational vistas from its terrace with plenty of room for you to dine with a Jurassic Coast view. They are reopening on 4 July, book ahead, tables can be for up to six people from two households. Bookable dining options are: Breakfast; Lunch – from small plate choices to grilled lobster;BBQ Sunday (their version of Sunday roast for summer); Afternoon Tea; Dinner with the option of their new Alexandra Seven Course Surprise Tasting Menu. Book online at hotelalexandra.co.uk or call 01297 442010.

The White Post at Rimpton: Headed up by chef Brett Sutton, this multi-award-winning venue on the Dorset/Somerset border has been offering takeaway throughout lockdown, which has gone down a storm. They are reopening on 24 July, with a new menu, new décor and some new rules to keep customers and staff safe. The takeaway menu will remain in place for those who would prefer to dine on Brett’s divine food at home. Book via thewhitepost.com or call 01935 851525.

Great British Life: Gurnard with crab and bell pepper sauce - one of the dishes on then menu at The Acorn Inn, EvershotGurnard with crab and bell pepper sauce - one of the dishes on then menu at The Acorn Inn, Evershot (Image: Archant)

Seasons at The Eastbury, Sherborne: This lovely boutique hotel in Sherborne are taking lunch and dinner reservations for non-hotel guests in their Seasons Restaurant from 10 July. Their afternoon tea service starts on 13 July. If the weather is fine, dining is in the bistro and terrace garden. Inside the tables in the bar and restaurant area have been spaced out, and times of service extended. To book visit theeastburyhotel.co.uk or call 01935 813131.

Pig on the Beach, Studland: A former winner in our Food, Drink & Farming Awards, everything on the menu starts in the large walled kitchen garden. This combines with foraged wild ingredients from Studland’s shoreline and produce sourced from 36 local suppliers to create their 25-mile menu, so you can understand why a lot of people will be very happy when this venue reopens on 6 July. There is plenty of room to dine indoors or in the extensive grounds, and table bookings are for up to eight people from two households. Book online at thepighotel.com or call 0345 225 9494.

Great British Life: Cass Titcombe and Louise Chedgy of Brassica in Beaminster Photo: Katharine DaviesCass Titcombe and Louise Chedgy of Brassica in Beaminster Photo: Katharine Davies (Image: Archant)

The Acorn Inn, Evershot: Robert Ndungu, head chef of this renowned establishment was declared Chef of the Year in the Dorset Magazine Food, Drink & Farming Awards 2019, it also won Best Dorset Pub in 2018. Its locally-sourced menu has won it armfuls of awards, so we are very excited this gem of a place reopens on 4 July. Top of our list will be their signature homemade beef burger, BBQ pulled pork, smoked streaky bacon with a side order of rosemary salted hand cut chips from their Acorn Classics menu. Book online at acorn-inn.co.uk or call 01935 83228.

Summer Lodge Hotel & Restaurant, Evershot: Located in the same village as The Acorn, Summer Lodge was awarded Hotel Restaurant of the Year in the Dorset Magazine Food, Drink & Farming Awards in 2017, head chef Steven Titman is the culinary genius behind the locally sourced menus at this beautiful country house hotel which reopens on 4 July. Public areas of the hotel have been reconfigured and adjusted to allow for physical distancing, but other than that lunch and dinner will still have Steven’s fabulous Dorset-inspired seasonal menus. One of their legendary Dorset afternoon teas, with all the trimmings, served in their beautiful gardens would be top of my list. Book online at summerlodgehotel.co.uk or call 01935 482000.

Great British Life: Pea pods with garlic, chilli and smoked sea salt - a summer dish at The Ollerod in BeaminsterPea pods with garlic, chilli and smoked sea salt - a summer dish at The Ollerod in Beaminster (Image: Archant)

Brassica, Beaminster: Cass Titcombe and his wife Louise have ensured that gourmands in the area have been kept happy with their meal delivery service throughout lockdown, this will continue throughout the summer. The multi-award-winning restaurant will be re-opening their restaurant on 15 July, but with limited opening hours of lunch and supper on Wednesdays and supper on Friday, and social distancing means there are just six tables. All bookings are to be placed online with a deposit taken. Wednesdays features their antipasti and pasta set menu whilst Friday night is a more decadent affair of sharing platters - from cold seafood and Devon Ruby tagliata to whole seabass or turbot, there will also be a set menu with mains pre-ordered when booking. Book online at brassica.uk or call 01308 538100.

La Fosse, Cranborne: Mark Hartstone, head chef of this award-winning restaurant with rooms is a true champion of Dorset’s larder, he has twice won Dorset’s Best Cheese Board, along with a whole mixing bowl of accolades including Dorset Chef of the Year, so dinner here is a real Dorset delight. He and his wife will throw open the doors for B & B and dinner from 15 July. Pre-book online at la-fosse.com or call 01725 517604.

The Ollerod, Beaminster: Winner of Best Formal Dining Experience in the Dorset Magazine Food, Drink & Farming Awards 2019, this boutique hotel and restaurant in the heart of Beaminster reopens on 10 July. Head chef Chris Staines and his partner Silvana Bandini, who own this award-winning venue, have both indoor and outdoor dining space in their large walled garden. Parties of more than four can be in one of the conservatory areas, or at a separate end of the garden. The menu, which is made up of a Small Plates and A La Carte Menu changes according to what has landed in Chris’ kitchen. Book online at theollerod.co.uk or call 01308 862200.

The Club House, West Bexington: If you love the idea of tucking into spanking fresh seafood within earshot of crashing waves, then The Club House at West Bexington ticks the box, fish is always the hero of the dish here. Reopening on 4 July, there is plenty of outdoor seating on the deck area outside this Art Deco bungalow on the beach where you can admire far-reaching views over Chesil . Why not push the boat out and tuck into West Bay Lobster grilled with wild garlic butter, chips and Tamarisk Farm salad accompanied by a glass (or bottle) of sparkling wine from Langhams vineyard located just 22 miles away from where you are dining. Pre-booking for lunch or dinner essential theclubhousewestbexington.co.uk or call 01308 898302.