Bookings are now live for ATLAS James & Maria Close, the new 36-cover standalone restaurant at Rockliffe. It sits at the heart of the hotel’s thoughtful multimillion-pound transformation into a gastronomy-led, five-star luxury resort, launching this September.
The restaurant will offer an immersive chef-guided experience inspired by the places, flavours and
experiences that have shaped James and Maria. It is designed to be a journey of discovery, where
food becomes a way to share stories, spark curiosity, and create moments of genuine connection.
Diners are welcomed into ATLAS through its elegant bar with a thoughtfully chosen Champagne
selection including Henri Giraud, Deutz, and Michel Gonet and a menu of unique globally and
culinary inspired cocktails. The dining experience begins with a first taste in this space before
moving into the restaurant where dishes arrive in a curated sequence.
The initial section sets the global scene with small expressions of James and Maria’s favourites from
around the world including Asia, North and South America. The second section further
demonstrates culinary craft and precision in highly refined dishes inspired by James and Maria’s
personal experiences while travelling such as Japanese inspired Wagyu beef dish.
Careful consideration has gone into every detail of the experience. Not only what’s on the plate, but
everything that surrounds it. Diners will find items from Christofle, Riedel, Hering Berlin,
Giobagnara, J.L. Coquet chosen for their commitment to craftsmanship and design that mirrors the
restaurant’s own.
The kitchen features three premium Molteni stoves, custom-crafted to James and Maria’s
specification, and they are the first in the world with a waterfall-end design. They visited the
Molteni workshop in Saint-Vallier in the south of France to see the combination of traditional
artisanship and the latest cooking technology firsthand. A chef’s table for six diners runs parallel to
the kitchen islands, giving an exclusive insight into the precision and craftsmanship taking place at
each service.
Expertise and quality are also found in the wine offering at ATLAS, combining James and Maria’s
passion for wine with the experience of the restaurant’s Head of Wine, Manuel Ghezzi (previously
Head Sommelier at The Connaught for three years). Diners will be able to choose from two wine
pairings – one globally-inspired, and the other, a prestige offering influenced by chateaus and
vineyards that James and Maria have visited. There will also be a non-alcoholic pairing and an
extensive wine list, to mirror the restaurant’s global ethos with well-regarded old and new world
wines alongside more contemporary unique expressions. Manuel’s expertise is matched in the
kitchen and front of house with Adam Molloy as Executive Chef, Shaun Hurrell as Head Chef, and
Jack Adams as Restaurant Director.
James Close, Culinary Director of Rockliffe, said: “As we approach the opening of ATLAS and Rockliffe, it is amazing to see our ideas become reality. We are incredibly grateful to have this opportunity to create a restaurant and resort where skill, craftsmanship, and passion are
celebrated. There has been a lot of hard work by so many people behind the scenes, and we can’t
wait to open the bookings, and the doors, so that guests can experience ATLAS.”
Designed as a contemporary addition to Rockliffe’s historic estate, the 584-square-metre pavilion
will offer a sophisticated, modern space with the external design drawing inspiration from
colonnaded architecture and materials that complement the Grade II-listed Hall. The restaurant
space is framed by large glass windows, which offer views of the expansive grounds on one side
and a thoughtfully landscaped area on the other. The interiors have been designed to feel luxurious
with materials and colour palette that draw on the resort renovation’s design inspiration of the
North East’s heritage, paired with international influences inspired by James and Maria’s travels.
Art is being curated across the resort, and ATLAS is no exception. Inspiration comes from
memories and journeys in the places they have visited, featuring several specially commissioned
pieces alongside a selection of existing artworks. Examples include impressive artworks by Carl
Koch made from thousands of hand-cut tiles, table centres by Louisa Boyd, map-inspired sculptural
wall art by Holly Clifford, a huge ceiling piece from Jade Mellor, a rock sculpture in the garden by
Russ Coleman, as well as pieces from ceramicists.
In addition to ATLAS, James and Maria Close have developed five further distinctive dining and bar
experiences. Rialto, an all-day Italian-American restaurant, forms the social heart of the resort,
evolving from breakfast through Aperitivo-led afternoons to family-style evenings, with dishes often
finished tableside and a wine list focused on Italian and young American producers. Ro is an
intimate cocktail bar inspired by Japanese precision and industrial heritage, offering Izakaya-style
snacks alongside rare spirits, vintage-led cocktails and Japanese whisky and sake. The Morning
Room presents a refined Afternoon Tea experience created with Head Pastry Chef Ashleigh Pitcher,
combining classic patisserie with modern technique and seasonal evolution.
Café TERRA is a boutique café and bakery serving hotel guests, spa visitors and locals throughout
the day, with pastry-led viennoiserie, savoury classics and light seasonal dishes. The Clubhouse
overlooks the championship golf course, offering an elevated sports bar concept with relaxed
classics, globally influenced dishes and live sport.
The restaurant will open Wednesday to Saturday for dinner, and lunch on Sundays from December.
For more information, and to book a table, please visit ATLAS James & Maria Close. Room bookings
are also open at Rockliffe. Follow ATLAS James & Maria Close on Instagram.
