Ugly Butterfly 2.0 to land at Headland Hotel

Having just announced the closure of Ugly Butterfly at Carbis Bay, chef-restaurateur Adam Handling MBE has confirmed he is set to embark on a new chapter with the concept at Headland Hotel, Cornwall. 

Ugly Butterfly 2.0 will land at the five-star venue in Newquay on 9 July. The opening marks the start of a new partnership between two big names in hospitality and a significant moment for Cornwall's dining scene. 

Sustainable British luxury

Ugly Butterfly 2.0 represents a rebirth of Handling's vision for sustainable British luxury. The restaurant will offer a flexible '4x4' menu, enabling guests to choose their own path through the Southwest's larder. Each section will offer four dishes, plus the option to start with Porthilly oysters. 

Highlights include Cornish tuna with preserved truffles and elderflower; a take on Handling's signature lobster wagyu using sweeter, smaller St. Ives lobsters; lamb, tandoori cauliflower and wasabi leaf; and freshly baked Cornish apple tarts, served tableside. Although not from the Southwest, bonbons from Handling's chocolate shop will also make an appearance. 

Outside, a relaxed terrace menu will serve indulgent comfort food that champions Cornish seafood, from a chilled/raw seafood menu to St. Ives lobster rolls and freshly picked Cornish crab sandwiches in homemade milk buns. There will also be a fish and chips set menu with Champagne, while the dessert section features nostalgic puddings such as trifle and Knickerbocker Glory. 

Afternoon tea will be a modern celebration of Cornish produce. Served in four courses – snacks, savouries, sweets and scones – the menu features pea tart with potato and caviar, hog's pudding sausage roll, Battenberg and Cornish scones with a selection of jams and clotted cream. 

The new space will seat 50 covers inside, 20 on the terrace and 30 in the bar. It will offer a wine list with over 500 bins, making it one of the most extensive in the county. 

Handling says of the upcoming launch: “As one door closes, another one opens – and this Ugly Butterfly 2.0 is a more fitting home for our most sustainable brand. We are taking this situation in an extremely positive light, building on what Ugly Butterfly has achieved and focusing on what we need to do to be even better.

"There is no doubt that we will be gunning for a Michelin star in this restaurant. And what a place to do it – the iconic Cornish hotel, The Headland. They are a force to be reckoned with, and their sustainable values and credentials are a true credit to them."

You may also be interested in…