Boathouse 4, the hidden gem located within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, is set to reopen on 10th November with one of the UK’s brightest young chef talents behind a new and exciting menu concept.
Ruth Hansom has worked with the Boathouse 4 team of chefs to create a new menu inspired by British, seasonal produce.
Following five years at The Ritz, trained by executive chef John Williams, Ruth became the first female to win Young National Chef of the Year in 2017 and reached the final of the 2020 BBC Great British Menu. She joined The Princess of Shoreditch as head chef in 2021, and has achieved 3 AA rosette status, making it the only pub in London to hold the award.
Currently a Chef Partner for hospitality provider BaxterStorey, Ruth supports the training and mentoring of female chefs and is working closely with Boathouse 4’s head chef, Charlie Becke and her team on training and development.
Ruth commented: “Hampshire is renowned for incredible local produce, and Boathouse 4’s position on the waterfront provided plenty of inspiration. Our market fish menu will change regularly, relying on availability and seasonality, but always guaranteeing deliciously fresh fish, simply cooked with a choice of sides and sauces. We use gin from Portsmouth Distillery to cure Hampshire chalk stream trout for a tasty starter and local English sparkling wine features in the lemon parfait, English sparkling, blueberry and lemon thyme dessert.”
Open for lunch and afternoon tea, the new menu at Boathouse 4 features dishes such as South coast cod served with warm tartar sauce, lemon and scraps and lamb rump served with Autumn squash, pickled mushroom and juniper sauce.
Ruth continued: “I am also incredibly excited to launch the very first Boathouse 4 Supper Club. Coming in February 2023, the ticketed events will run each month, and will provide an opportunity for guests to sample themed menus at an intimate event.”
Hannah Prowse, CEO at Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ruth to Boathouse 4 and can’t wait to welcome more people to this unique location. Overlooking a working collection of steam ships, a D-Day motor gun boat, an RAF Rescue launch from the Battle of Britain and a Falklands landing craft – there is nowhere on earth where you can enjoy such an exciting view whilst enjoying your meal.”
In addition to the new lunch menu and Supper Club plans, Boathouse 4 will also offer a classic afternoon tea menu, available daily between 2.30pm – 4.30pm. Alongside traditional sandwich combinations such as cucumber and dill, and smoked salmon and lemon butter, the menu features freshly prepared cakes and scones served with house preserves made using excess fruit by the Boathouse 4 team.
With the festive season approaching, Ruth has also developed a Christmas party menu including classic roast turkey crown and leg served with duck fat potatoes, pigs in blankets, sage and onion stuffing, honey roast parsnips and enriched gravy, alongside grilled seabass, crab and dill potato cake, served with lemon and butter sauce – all served with family-style winter green vegetables, honey roast carrots and roasted potatoes.
Boathouse 4 is located in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and will be open from 10th November, from 12:00 – 14:30 for lunch and 14:30 - 16:30 for afternoon tea.
