Jesmond Dene House is giving its three-rosette restaurant and menus a fresh, new look from next week – and hopes to tempt diners to take a look with a free, fizzing glass of Pimm’s.

From next Wednesday, 14th July, the restaurant at the award-winning, independently-owned boutique hotel will be more contemporary, light and airy with “warm woods, earthy tones, fun splashes of orange and crisp white cloths”.

“We knew from customers that they like the lightness and openness of the Garden Room area of our restaurant,” explains restaurant manager Pierre Bertolotti. “So, we’ve introduced that feel throughout the whole dining room.”

Head chef Pierre Rigothier has created a value-driven lunch menu: two courses plus coffee for £16.50. “We’re using the same quality ingredients and the same skilful cooking as for the main menus,” he explains. “It’s just a simpler style and simpler dishes. Ham knuckle terrine, for example, or pan-fried sea bass.”

Guests can also now choose from the fortnightly-changing Market Menu at lunchtimes (from £19.50 for two courses) as well as at dinner. The Market Menu will also now be available on Saturday evenings as well as weekday evenings.

To celebrate, all guests booking lunch or dinner until Friday 23rd July inclusive will be offered a glass of Pimm’s on the house. And later this month, guests will be able to bring their own wine to enjoy with dinner, at no extra charge.

To make a booking, call 0191 212 5555 or visit www.jesmonddenehouse.co.uk.

The 40-bedroom hotel opened in September 2005 after an 18-month conversion of the 19th century, Grade II-listed building. It won AA Hotel of the Year 2008-09. Rigothier, who has a Michelin-starred background, joined the hotel in 2008. The Restaurant was awarded three AA rosettes in 2009 and was also nominated as one of the best restaurants outside London.