AN iconic wine bar and restaurant in Lyme Regis is set to shut its doors for the final time this summer.
The announced it will host its final service on August 3.
Harriet Mansell, who propelled to fame in 2020 when she competed on , shared that Lilac will pull the shutters permanently after four years of trading.
“There is no sadness in us closing, rather a gratitude and a trust in the process, there is the closing of a chapter, a clearing of space for what is to come,” Harriet wrote in an Instagram post.
To mark the closure and Lilac's achievements over the years, the restaurant will host special events on the first and last weekend of July.
“Across these weekends, myself and chefs will be preparing a very special tasting menu that truly speaks of the English summertime and is packed full of wild edible treats,” Harriet said in the post.
“It will be a weekend full of talks about wild foods and myself and chefs are working hard already to prepare, ferment, and preserve ingredients that will make their way to this menu.
“Think magnolias, ground ivy, wild alliums, seaweeds, forsythia and other flowers, grasses, and more.
“Until then, it’s business as usual.”
In 2021, the acclaimed chef opened the establishment down the road from her first restaurant Robin Wylde, which closed its doors in 2023.
“Lilac was meant to be our kind of funky little sister venue to Robin Wylde – it was born out of necessity really,” Harriet told The Staff Canteen.
“We were trying to find creative ways to use up some of the by-products and waste from Robin Wylde, and Lilac became that solution.
“The idea was to make Robin Wylde more sustainable and also create more local jobs.”
She went on to explained the location “was never supposed to be a main restaurant”.
“It just became its own thing – it evolved into something much bigger than we originally imagined,” the chef continued.
“I think that’s the beauty of Lilac – it had this sort of natural evolution, very organic.
“People loved it, and so we allowed it to grow into itself. And now, after three years, it feels like it’s had a beautiful life cycle. I’m proud of what it’s become.”;
Lilac received high acclaim, including the Trencherman’s Award for creativity and innovation, as well as featuring in the Good Food Guide, Michelin Guide, and the SquareMeal Top 100.
“It’s a successful business. It’s been hugely popular here in Lyme Regis. And that’s not just down to me – it’s a testament to the people who’ve worked in that building over the last three years,” Harriet said.
“It’s easy to overlook just how much we’ve achieved in a relatively short time. We’ve done things differently, and people noticed, that means a lot.”;
While Harriet did not expand upon the reason for the closure, she famously called it a day on Robin Wylde after explaining that she achieved everything she wanted to with the eatery.
“There’s this idea in hospitality – maybe in life generally – that you’ve got to keep pushing, growing, expanding,” Harriet said.
“But I don’t believe that has to be the only way. I think there’s also power in knowing when to stop. In choosing to stop.
“We’re not closing Lilac because it failed – far from it. It’s done really well. But success isn’t just about staying open forever.
“Sometimes, success is knowing when to bow out gracefully. Just because something is going well doesn’t mean it has to go on and on.
“That’s not always sustainable either – emotionally, creatively, or physically.
“This feels like the right moment. I’ve always believed in seasonal change – not just in food, but in life. This is a new season.”
