Beaverbrook’s hot air balloon dining experience serves up outrageous platters of sashimi and a sizzling DIY Japanese grill under the summer sun. Olivia Palamountain reports
Beaverbrook, the luxury country house hotel, has captured the essence of an eccentric British summer with its hot-air balloon dining experience, “A Sky Full of Stripes“.
The former home of press baron and war-time MP Lord Beaverbrook, this enchanting 470-acre estate in the Surrey Hills is renowned for its playful, experiential experiences and this alfresco feast is no exception.
Offset against a cerulean summer sky and perfectly spaced around the Italian Garden’s ornamental pond are six hot air balloons, each anchored to a wicker booth that seats up to four. 
The joyful balloons, resplendent in rose and raspberry stripes, don’t actually take off or transport you anywhere – which is, frankly, a relief. I’ve finally made it to Beaverbrook and now I never would want to leave.
Instead, it’s just a bit of theatre, a fabulous sight designed to evoke a mood of the European Riviera and nod to Lord Beaverbrook’s love of the continent. You can even borrow a Panama hat.
That’s where the European connection ends. Scrap the Med – Beaverbrook has chosen to pair the experience with a Japanese flavours, showcasing both international and local produce (I told you it was eccentric).
Wojciech Popow, Beaverbrook’s executive development chef, has crafted an opulent menu of sashimi and an interactive Yakiniku grilling experience, so guests can cook premium cuts of meat at their table.
To wash it down, Moët & Chandon has curated a Grand Vintage Champagne flight, featuring a trio of their finest vintages – or scoop up an aperitif from the hotel’s Martini Pram, offering a selection of summery cocktails.
Our gastro tour began with an exquisite box of sashimi on shaved ice, featuring a generous selction house-aged bluefin tuna, Hokkaido cold water scallops, Loch Duart salmon, seared wild Cornish red mullet and a Japanese-inspired ceviche.
A delicate brush was provided to paint the fillets with soy, along with a thumb of punchy wasabi.
Perfectly presented, quiveringly fresh and beautifully executed – can’t argue with that.
Next up, a yakiniku was set down in the centre of the table, a small box grill fired over a blend of wood chips, for us to cook at our leisure.
Literally translated as “grilled meat”, yakiniku commonly refers to a style of cooking bite-size meat and vegetables over a flame of wood charcoals.
Inside the treasure chest of rare and premium cuts were the likes of Kyushu wagyu beef, fallow deer from Royal Windsor Park and acorn-fed Iberian pork, presented alongside some cute mini vegetables and a petite portion of sticky rice.
A couple of prawns and some octopus were propped up for good measure; also supplied was a trio of excellent dips, including a hot chilli for spice fiends and an egg yolk hibachi.
We got stuck into our baby bbq with gusto, tending to it with the care of newly christened parents, before slathering each seared slice with those most excellent sauces.
The buttery lamb chop was a standout, as was the fallow deer; I saved the Wagyu until last – obviously – and revelled in every buttery bite as it melted like honey around my mouth.
It’s worth noting that all proteins provided can be eaten raw, so there’s no worry of undercooking your meal.
A magnificent finale of Japanese Baked Alaska, crafted in pink and red tones to match the design of the hot air balloons, rounded this special experience off beautifully.
Don’t leave without a swizz around the grounds or coffee in the main house. A slice of a bygone era, complete with plenty of wartime memorabilia for history buffs and some wonderful artwork, including an original stained glass panel by Jean Cocteau, it’s a very special place indeed.
A Sky Full of Stripes is available from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Menus start from £135 per person.