Showing posts with label Awards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Awards. Show all posts

Sunday, 26 July 2015

Top 100 UK Restaurants 2015 - London

The National Restaurant Awards were held at the end of June and as one of the few remaining standards here, below is a summary of the London portion of the list. London has always had a fairly transient restaurant scene but the 23 new entries make for some fairly surprising reading. The highest of these is a bit of a bolter, with the Hart brothers' new Barrafina venture in Covent Garden taking the crown less than a year after opening. Last year's new entry number one, Gymkhana, moves down to fourth place overall.

The Ledbury maintains its excellent record amongst the country's elite, with notable climbs also for The Dairy, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Restaurant Story and 40 Maltby Street. Conversely, significant falls occur elsewhere for Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Le Gavroche, Quo Vadis, Chiltern Firehouse, Marcus and most notably, Pollen Street Social and St John.

As well as the big new entry at number one, the rest of the list sees other significant fresh venues as well as re-entries. Lyle's in Shoreditch proves the latest trend of down-scaled, simplified British food still remains, with local neighbour The Typing Room further down the list for the first time. Mayfair is all of a sudden an exciting place to eat again, with Kitty Fisher's, Fera and Scott's all present. The Middle East is also well-represented this year, with the Kings Cross branch of Dishoom, Honey & Co and The Palomar adding a little variation to the list.

Once again, over half the best places to eat remain in London; if you believe this list. Even though the overall number is a little lower than last year, the fact that we have such variety, excitement and change in London is only ever a good thing. Restaurants have to adapt and keep customers interested and, as ever, there are a huge array of places to eat, enjoy and celebrate.

4 Gymkhana (1)
6 Lyle's - New Entry
9 The Dairy (24)
12 Hedone (7)
15 The Palomar - New Entry
16 Kitty Fisher's - New Entry
17 Fera at Claridge's - New Entry
21 Dishoom King's Cross - New Entry
23 A Wong - New Entry
26 Zucca - New Entry
33 The Square (10)
35 Pizarro - New Entry
39 Hibiscus (25)
40 Honey & Co - New Entry
43 Grain Store (28)
44 Le Gavroche (21)
48 Wild Honey - New Entry
49 Scott's - New Entry
50 Sushi Tetsu (41)
58 Pitt Cue (70)
59 Quo Vadis (35)
60 Lardo - New Entry
64 Yauatcha - New Entry
70 Duck & Waffle - New Entry
71 The Typing Room - New Entry
74 Brawn - New Entry
76 Koffmann's (64)
78 Marcus (49)
82 Murano - New Entry
83 Otto's - New Entry
85 Hakkasan Mayfair - New Entry
89 MEATLiquor (80)
95 Little Social - New Entry
97 Antidote - New Entry
100 St John (34)
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Monday, 6 October 2014

Michelin Guide 2015 - London Restaurants

Like the inevitability of Christmas tastelessness in the shops, The Michelin Guide pops up startlingly early in the year. So much so that this post, whilst earlier than last year's, is actually slightly tardier in terms of the Guide's release. I would apologise but doing so seems patronising given my form so far this year.

To business, it's something of an anti-climactic year for London (or next year will be - it's the 2015 Guide I guess...) with two fewer restaurants in the list overall. There are no changes at the top, with the two- and three-star joints untouched. In the one-star category, there are some hard falls. Nobu and its sister restaurant in Berkeley Square both lost their stars, which somewhat vindicates my review but is a surprise nonetheless.

Bo London, Tom Aikens and Viajante all closed, rendering their losses academic. Aikens is looking at re-locating out of Chelsea into somewhere more central which will be an interesting story to keep an eye on. Elsewhere, Medlar lost its star which I thought near-impossible but at least it should ensure their pricing remains gloriously competitive. Worryingly, One Leicester Street (which replaced the St John Hotel restaurant) and Aspley's by Heinz Beck also lost their stars. Even more worryingly, due to closures. I can't find evidence of these at the time of writing but it's dreadfully sad if so.

The good news, despite the eight losses,  is there are six new stars to celebrate. Gymkhana, recently named the best restaurant in the country, is the most predictable of these, capping quite a first year. The Clove Club and Kitchen Table at Bubbledogs also see their high-ranking places on the list gaining official recognition. Jason Atherton's gradual spread across the capital sees a new star for City Social, while Claridges' decision to recruit Simon Rogan of L'Enclume to run their restaurant has paid swift dividends. I am personally pleased that Barrafina has got itself a star, though it's going to make getting a table even more difficult.

The full list of London's representation is below. Whilst awards don't always count for much, Michelin Stars usually give us all a steer on where to go when the occasion dictates...

Three Stars
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Mayfair
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Chelsea

Two Stars


One Star

Alyn Williams at the Westbury, Mayfair
Amaya, Belgravia
Ametsa with Arzak Instruction, Belgravia
Angler, Islington
Arbutus, Soho
Barrafina, Soho - New Star
Benares, Mayfair
Brasserie Chavot, Mayfair
Chez Bruce, Wandsworth
City Social, City of London - New Star
Clove Club, Shoreditch - New Star
Club Gascon, City of London
Dabbous, Fitzrovia
Fera at Claridges, Mayfair - New Star
Galvin at Windows, Mayfair
Galvin La Chapelle, Spitalfields
Gymkhana, Mayfair - New Star
Hakkasan Hanway Place, Bloomsbury
Hakkasan Mayfair, Mayfair
Harwood Arms, Fulham
Hedone, Chiswick
HKK, Shoreditch
Kai, Mayfair
Kitchen Table at Bubbledogs, Bloomsbury - New Star
Kitchen W8, Kensington
La Trompette, Chiswick
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Strand & Covent Garden
Launceston Place, Kensington
L'Autre Pied, Regent's Park & Marylebone
Lima, Regent's Park & Marylebone
Locanda Locatelli, Regent's Park & Marylebone
Maze, Mayfair
Murano, Mayfair
Outlaw's at the Capital, Belgravia
Pétrus, Belgravia
Pied à Terre, Bloomsbury
Pollen Street Social, Mayfair
Quilon, Victoria
Rasoi, Chelsea
Seven Park Place, St James's
Social Eating House, Soho
St John, Clerkenwell
Story, Bermondsey
Tamarind, Mayfair
Texture, Regent's  Park & Marylebone
The Glasshouse, Kew
The River Café, Hammersmith
Trishna, Marylebone
Umu, Mayfair
Wild Honey, Mayfair
Yauatcha, Soho
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Monday, 14 July 2014

Top 100 UK Restaurants 2014 - London

As with every year, the 100 best restaurants in the UK gives me an opportunity to maintain some sort of freshness and relevance. Whilst massively out-of-date reviews are of little consequence to anyone, making sure we all know where's where to eat is actually pretty useful. At the end of June, the National Restaurant Awards were held, giving us a revised list of the hundred best places to eat in the UK. As usual, I have catalogued the capital's interests, complete with last year's positions.

The most impressive news for London is the reclaiming of the top spot, with Mayfair's Gymkhana storming in at number one after less than a year in operation. Karam Sethi has been winning over diners and critics with an authentic style of cooking which I can't wait to sample. Something of a shock but an exciting surprise nonetheless.

The Clove Club of Shoreditch continues its meteoric rise, sitting at number 2, whilst The Ledbury's position of third is testament to the hard work which has given the restaurant years at the top. Hedone rises into the top ten whilst The Square deservedly holds its place in the higher rankings. Restaurant Story in Bermondsey won the award for highest climber, moving up nearly 70 places.

Other notable runs up the list came from the Kitchen Table at Bubbledogs, somewhere I had not realised as being such an appealing prospect, Koya of Soho which rose 30 places and Jose, shooting into the top 40. Goodman Mayfair may be at number 40 this year, but that's still a remarkable jump of 53 places. Conversely, there are significant drops for 10 Greek Street (42 places), La Petite Maison (40 places) and, most dramatically, Chez Bruce (49 places). Consistency expected at the highest level is unwavering.

The new entry count is encouraging too, with The Chiltern Firehouse cracking the top 20, The Dairy in Clapham the top 30 and Sushi Tetsu a rather disappointing 41. I say disappointing because there is a review of this place in the offing. And yes, it's superbly late as ever. Marcus Wareing's re-launch of his Berkeley Hotel outfit (as simply 'Marcus') sees the newly-appointed BBC MasterChef Professionals judge re-take a top 50 place.

Have a read, make a reservation, sample some of the UK's best. London might have a couple fewer restaurants in the top 100 than last year, but it's taken back the number one spot, shot a load of new places into the list and is still a great place to be eating food.

1 Gymkhana - New Entry
2 The Clove Club (5)
3 The Ledbury (2)
5 Pollen Street Social (3)
7 Hedone (14)
9 Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (10)
10 The Square (8)
15 Kitchen Table at Bubbledogs (38)
17 Chiltern Firehouse - New Entry
21 Le Gavroche (19)
22 Koya (52)
24 The Dairy - New Entry
25 Hibiscus (21)
26 Restaurant Story (95)
28 Grain Store (9)
29 Brasserie Chavot (16)
30 Mayfields - New Entry
31 Bocca di Lupo (15)
33 The River Café (44)
34 St John (42)
35 Quo Vadis (23)
37 The Quality Chop House (27)
38 Jose (63)
40 Goodman Mayfair (93)
41 Sushi Tetsu - New Entry
43 Social Eating House (33)
45 Galvin at Windows (71)
46 Berners Tavern - New Entry
47 Barrafina (46)
48 HKK (29)
49 Marcus - New Entry
53 Merchants Tavern - New Entry
57 Hawksmoor Air Street (32)
59 Restaurant Gordon Ramsay (62)
60 10 Greek Street (18)
61 Ember Yard - New Entry
64 Koffmann's - New Entry
65 L'Anima (30)
67 40 Maltby Street - New Entry
69 Alyn Williams at the Westbury (39)
70 Pitt Cue (70)
79 Hutong (88)
80 MEATliquor (77)
83 Chez Bruce (34)
86 La Trompette - New Entry
87 Bar Boulud (53)
89 Café Murano - New Entry
90 Toasted - New Entry
91 The Wolseley - New Entry
92 Newman Street Tavern (97)
94 Moro - New Entry
97 The Greenhouse - New Entry
98 La Petite Maison (58)
99 Gauthier Soho - New Entry
100 Umu - New Entry
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Thursday, 10 October 2013

Top 100 UK Restaurants 2013 - London

Following the announcement of the 2014 Michelin Guide, it seems strange that the National Restaurant Awards has just happened for 2013. It's a confusing industry. Either way, we have a new 100 best places to eat in the UK list. And whatever I think of it (I will give you a hint: I don't totally agree with it all), it's my obligation to report it here.

London's representation in the UK's best selection is still high but it has dropped by one to 58 out of 100. Not shabby by any means but interesting that the change has occurred. Of course some of this is down to closure. Roganic did not renew its two year lease which would almost certainly have stayed on the list, but some surprising drop-outs, from Medlar to Yauatcha have dented London's staying power a little.

Of course, the new entries have come flooding in, with 23 of them in total showing the London scene to be ever-changing and constantly positive. The Clove Club of Shoreditch is an impressive new entry at five whilst Bruno Loubet's Grain Store premiers at nine. This list has certainly added several venues to my list of places to go which may make for an expensive end of year.

Finally, at the very top, The Ledbury has been knocked off its perch by The Hand & Flowers of Marlow. I have been to both and I do prefer The Ledbury (despite the fact it is more expensive) but there is much to be said for the charm of a full-on pub restaurant leading the way. Pollen Street Social continues its excellent stay near the top of the tree and The Square's irrepressible consistency remains.

This year I have added the 2012 position of each restaurant (or listed as a new entry) in order to provide some comparison and context. Enjoy!

2 The Ledbury (1)
3 Pollen Street Social (2)
5 The Clove Club - New Entry
8 The Square (7)
9 Grain Store - New Entry
10 Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (10)
11 Dabbous (31)
14 Hedone (52)
15 Bocca Di Lupo (23)
16 Brasserie Chavot - New Entry
18 10 Greek Street (12)
19 Le Gavroche (63)
21 Hibiscus (26)
23 Quo Vadis (9)
27 The Quality Chop House - New Entry
29 HKK - New Entry
30 L'Anima (25)
32 Hawksmoor Air Street - New Entry
33 Social Eating House - New Entry
34 Chez Bruce (30)
38 Kitchen Table at Bubbledogs - New Entry
39 Alyn Williams at The Westbury (15)
41 Viajante (43)
42 St John (22)
44 The River Café (37)
46 Barrafina (80)
47 Polpo (88)
48 Galvin La Chapelle (18)
49 Zuma (14)
52 Koya (35)
53 Bar Boulud (65)
55 Zucca (27)
56 Bistrot Bruno Loubet (77)
58 La Petite Maison (59)
59 Locanda Locatelli - New Entry
61 Green Man & French Horn - New Entry
62 Restaurant Gordon Ramsay (69)
63 Jose - New Entry
64 Arbutus (46)
66 Bone Daddies - New Entry
68 Lima - New Entry
70 Pitt Cue (86)
71 Galvin At Windows (58)
73 Hix Soho (67)
76 Tom Aikens Restaurant - New Entry
77 MeatLiquor (75)
79 Balthazar - New Entry
81 Duck & Waffle - New Entry
85 Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester - New Entry
88 Hutong - New Entry
89 Cinnamon Kitchen - New Entry
91 Galvin Bistrot de Luxe (76)
93 Goodman Mayfair (96)
94 Hereford Road - New Entry
95 Restaurant Story - New Entry
96 Dinings - New Entry
97 Newman Street Tavern - New Entry
100 Roka (73)
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Wednesday, 9 October 2013

Michelin Guide 2014 - London Restaurants

The Michelin Guide has been released again. And London has sxty-four Michelin-Starred restaurants to report. A staggering number and one which further proves our fine city's status as a true gastronomic world capital. There are movers and shakers, losers and winners, and in keeping with tradition, they're all here.

Perhaps the biggest news is in the two-star section. Dinner By Heston continues its elevation as one of the world's most top-end eateries, whilst a stalwart of the London scene (and somewhere I'm still yet to go) The Greenhouse also gains a second star. In more surprising news, L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon loses one of its stars to drop down to the 'one' bracket for the first time in many years. The food there is exquisitely, opulently high-end French but it can be over-expensive and it's possible they have become a little complacent.

There are new first stars aplenty across the capital, with an Asian representation in Bo London and HKK. Both places look to use European themes within their authentically oriental outlook and it appears to be working. Jason Atherton continues his rise with Social Eating House of Soho adding another star to his belt. Two star chef ventures in the capial, Ametsa and Outlaw's, also obtain unsurprising first stars.

Several stars have been lost throughout the capital but most of these are down to closures rather than losses of form. The theme of this year is ambitious, impressive chefs bringing more and more recognition to the capital for excellent food. Whilst some of the stars are debatable, it's no bad thing that London continues to fly the flag for some of the most internationally-renowned cuisine in the UK.

Three Stars

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Mayfair
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Chelsea

Two Stars

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Hyde Park & Knightsbridge - One to Two Stars
Greenhouse, Mayfair - One to Two Stars
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, Mayfair
Hibiscus, Mayfair
Le Gavroche, Mayfair
Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley, Belgravia
Sketch (The Lecture Room & Library), Mayfair
The Ledbury, North Kensington
The Square, Mayfair

One Star

Alyn Williams at the Westbury, Mayfair
Amaya, Belgravia
Ametsa with Arzak Instruction, Belgravia - New Star
Angler, Islington - New Star
Apsleys, A Heinz Beck Restaurant, Belgravia
Arbutus, Soho
Benares, Mayfair
Bo London, Mayfair - New Star
Brasserie Chavot, Mayfair - New Star
Chez Bruce, Wandsworth
Club Gascon, City of London
Dabbous, Fitzrovia
Galvin at Windows, Mayfair
Galvin La Chapelle, Spitalfields
Hakkasan Hanway Place, Bloomsbury
Hakkasan Mayfair, Mayfair
Harwood Arms, Fulham
Hedone, Chiswick
HKK, Shoreditch - New Star
Kai, Mayfair
Kitchen W8, Kensington
La Trompette, Chiswick
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Strand & Covent Garden - Two to One Star
Launceston Place, Kensington
L'Autre Pied, Regent's Park & Marylebone
Lima, Regent's Park & Marylebone - New Star
Locanda Locatelli, Regent's Park & Marylebone
Maze, Mayfair
Medlar, Chelsea
Murano, Mayfair
Nobu Berkeley St, Mayfair
Nobu, Mayfair
One Leicester Street, Soho - Replacing St. John Hotel Restaurant
Outlaw's at the Capital, Belgravia - New Star
Pétrus, Belgravia
Pied à Terre, Bloomsbury
Pollen Street Social, Mayfair
Quilon, Victoria
Rasoi, Chelsea
Seven Park Place, St James's
Social Eating House, Soho - New Star
St John, Clerkenwell
Story, Bermondsey - New Star
Tamarind, Mayfair
Texture, Regent's Park & Marylebone
The Glasshouse, Kew
The River Café, Hammersmith
Tom Aikens, Chelsea
Trishna, Marylebone
Umu, Mayfair
Viajante, Bethnal Green
Wild Honey, Mayfair
Yauatcha, Soho
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Sunday, 28 October 2012

Top 100 UK Restaurants 2012

A little later than usual (why break the habit of a blogging lifetime?), I've got my hands on the London venues featured in the National Restaurant Awards' top 100 UK restaurants for 2012. It seems London grows ever more prominent in the country's top 100, with 59 in this year's list. For the third year in a row, The Ledbury holds on to its top spot; a remarkable feat.

The notable entries begin with Quo Vadis, which is now astonishingly one of the ten best places to eat in the UK. The second outing I had there last year was nothing to write home about and I was surprised to see it so high. 10 Greek Street is the highest new London entry, with much buzz being generated around its modern, simple menus.

Elsewhere there is a general slide outside of the top 10, where Pollen Street Social and The Square maintained their high rankings. The excellent Polpo falls over 60 places, with a similar decline for Koffman's. Most other restaurants experience a slide of a few places here and there, with Texture and Koya two of the biggest climbers.

Other unsurprising new entries are Dabbous and Medlar who have both earned their first Michelin Stars to top off a fantastic year. Alyn Williams takes the highest new entry for London outside of 10 Greek Street to go along with the award of a first star also. José Pizarro endured an interesting year, with his tapas bar José dropping out of the list completely but his restaurant Pizarro shooting in at 28.

Once again, the moral of the story is that London really is the place to be when it comes to eating out in the UK. There are so many amazing restaurants that aren't on this list, but it's usually a good barometer of how a restaurant is faring. With over half the best restaurants in the UK, London is doing very well indeed.

1 The Ledbury
2 Pollen Street Social
7 The Square
9 Quo Vadis
10 Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
12 10 Greek Street
14 Zuma
15 Alyn Williams
18 Galvin La Chapelle
21 Roganic
22 St John
23 Bocca Di Lupo
25 L'Anima
26 Hibiscus
27 Zucca
28 Pizarro
30 Chez Bruce
31 Dabbous
32 Brawn
33 Texture
35 Koya
37 The River Café
38 Yauatcha
39 Medlar
43 Viajante
45 Hawksmoor Seven Dials
46 Arbutus
47 Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley
48 Hakkasan Mayfair
50 Upstairs at The Ten Bells
51 The Dock Kitchen
52 Hedone
54 St John Hotel
55 Burger and Lobster
56 Corrigan's Mayfair
58 Galvin at Windows
59 La Petite Maison
61 Theo Randall at the Intercontinental
62 The Delaunay
63 Le Gavroche
65 Bar Boulud
67 Hix Soho
69 Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
71 The Wolesley
73 Roka
74 Koffmann's
75 MeatLiquor
76 Galvin Bistrot De Luxe
77 Bistrot Bruno Loubet
80 Barrafina
81 Moro
82 CUT at 45 Park Lane
83 Umu
86 Pitt Cue
88 Polpo
92 Racine
93 Helene Darroze at The Connaught
95 Brasserie Zedel
96 Goodman Mayfair
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Wednesday, 3 October 2012

Michelin Guide 2013 - London Restaurants

It's barely October and yet we appear to have been given a list of new Michelin-Starred restaurants. Well, not given... Apparently results have been leaked and as such I'm obliged to summarise what this means for eating out in London.

There are a couple of big moves, the most notable being the elevation of Sketch's restaurant from one to two stars. The excessive gaudiness of Sketch seems to be doing the trick, making it the eighth London restaurant to currently hold two stars. The rest of the elite group of two- and three-star restaurants remains unchanged.

More good news abounds for the eight new star recipients which I've highlighted below. Tom Aikens' refurbishment finished and the star duly came back with the re-opening. One of my favourites - Launceston Place - finally got the star it has deserved for some time. The restaurant everyone seems to be going to right now - Dabbous - continues its meteoric rise and the least surprising new star of all goes to Medlar of Chelsea.

The two casualties of the 2013 guide are Gauthier Soho and Zafferano. The latter represents another dent in A to Z restaurants' reputation, given that they closed the former Michelin-Starred Aubergine a few years back. The latter vindicates me slightly for this piece I wrote on Gauthier Soho, though having been back (with a review to come), I'm slightly conflicted since the more recent visit wasn't too bad.

There are now 62 restaurants in London with at least one Michelin Star. Whatever you think about the guide itself, this shows an impressive recognition of just how stocked we now are with amazing restaurants. With a new Top 100 UK Restaurants to come by the end of the year, there is a good chance over half the UK's best could now be in London.

Three Stars:
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Mayfair
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Chelsea

Two Stars:
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, Mayfair
Hibiscus, Mayfair
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Strand & Covent Garden
Le Gavroche, Mayfair
Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley, Belgravia
Sketch (The Lecture Room & Library), Mayfair - One to Two Stars
The Ledbury, North Kensington
The Square, Mayfair

One Star:
Alyn Williams at the Westbury, Mayfair - New Star
Amaya, Belgravia
Apsleys, A Heinz Beck Restaurant, Belgravia
Arbutus, Soho
Benares, Mayfair
Chez Bruce, Wandsworth
Club Gascon, City of London
Dabbous,Fitzrovia - New Star
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Hyde Park & Knightsbridge
Galvin at Windows, Mayfair
Galvin La Chapelle, Spitalfields
Greenhouse, Mayfair
Hakkasan Hanway Place, Bloomsbury
Hakkasan Mayfair, Mayfair
Harwood Arms, Fulham
Hedone, Chiswick - New Star
Kai, Mayfair
Kitchen W8, Kensington
L'Autre Pied, Regent's Park & Marylebone
La Trompette, Chiswick
Launceston Place, Kensington - New Star
Locanda Locatelli, Regent's Park & Marylebone
Maze, Mayfair
Medlar, Chelsea - New Star
Murano, Mayfair
Nobu, Mayfair
Nobu Berkeley St, Mayfair
North Road, Clerkenwell
Petersham Nurseries Café, Richmond
Pétrus, Belgravia
Pied à Terre, Bloomsbury
Pollen Street Social, Mayfair
Quilon, Victoria
Rasoi, Chelsea
Rhodes Twenty Four, City of London
Rhodes W1 (Restaurant), Regent's Park & Marylebone
Semplice, Mayfair
Seven Park Place, St James's
St John, Clerkenwell
St John Hotel Restaurant, Soho - New Star
Tamarind, Mayfair
Texture, Regent's  Park & Marylebone
The Glasshouse, Kew
The River Café, Hammersmith
Tom Aikens, Chelsea - New Star
Trishna, Marylebone - New Star
Umu, Mayfair
Viajante, Bethnal Green
Wild Honey, Mayfair
Yauatcha, Soho
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Monday, 31 October 2011

Top 100 UK Restaurants 2011


It seems to be the season for handing out awards. Following the early publication of the 2012 Michelin Guide, the National Restaurant Awards for 2011 have taken place. As usual, I have listed the London-based ventures within the 100, along with their overall ranking.

There have been a few big moves but not at the top, where the Ledbury holds on to the prestigious honour of being number one. Coupled with a spot on the world's 50 best restaurants earlier this year, Brett Graham's Notting Hill stronghold seems to be riding a wave. As I found when I went there, it certainly is a special restaurant, but maybe not quite what I would expect from a two-time best in the UK winner.

The biggest achievement for me is the new entry at number two for Jason Atherton's Pollen Street Social. Not a bad month, considering it started with a Michelin Star. It seems as if this place is right at home in the west end already. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal also shot in at number three (one place above the Fat Duck interestingly) to go along with its new recent star also.

Four other restaurants did well to hold on to roughly the same positions they had been in for the previous couple of years: Hibiscus, The Square, St. John and Chez Bruce all show the value of consistency and quality in this year's list. It's good to see some of the best recognised as such.

Have a look and start devising lists of where you want to go in the coming year. As usual, there is loads of quality food to be eaten in London - 57 of the top 100 UK restaurants are here - and a hell of a lot of enjoyment therein.

1 The Ledbury
2 Pollen Street Social
3 Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
6 Hibiscus
7 The Square
10 Bar Boulud
11 Le Gavroche
13 St John
15 Chez Bruce
16 Roganic
18 Hawksmoor Seven Dials
20 Arbutus
21 Viajante
23 Koffmann's
25 Polpo
26 Brawn
27 Galvin at Windows
32 Scott's
35 Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley
37 Bistrot Bruno Loubet
38 Galvin La Chapelle
40 L'Anima
42 The Ivy
43 Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
44 The River Cafe
46 Bocca di Lupo
47 Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
50 Texture
51 Zucca
54 José
55 The Gilbert Scott
56 The Dock Kitchen
57 Murano
61 J Sheekey
62 Opera Tavern
64 Terroirs
65 Zuma
66 Nahm
68 Hakkasan Mayfair
70 Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill
71 Les Deux Salons
73 La Trompette
75 Goodman Mayfair
76 The Quilon
78 Cambio de Tercio
80 Hereford Road
81 The Cinnamon Club
84 Nobu
88 Koya
89 Hix
90 The Greenhouse
91 Locanda Locatelli
92 L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon
94 Medlar
97 Theo Randall at the Intercontinental
98 The Modern Pantry
99 The Bingham

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Monday, 10 October 2011

Michelin Guide 2012 - London Restaurants

It's that time again. No, actually it isn't that time again. With the Michelin Guide having been released just nine months ago, this is absolutely not the right time for a new guide. Still, the powers that be have realised that by releasing the 2012 guide in October, Christmas will become that much richer for the tyre-wearing restaurant reviewers.

Unsurprisingly, there haven't been many changes in London since last year. Dinner by Heston got its first star as everyone expected, Marcus Wareing missed out again and Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester still confounds those who opposed its third star in the first place.

In general, the heavyweights still reign in London. Ramsay's flagship restaurant deservedly (in my view) held on to its stars. The Square, The Ledbury (despite the windows getting kicked in during London's riots) and Hibiscus are all still in the two-star club. Unfortunately Pied A Terre lost one of its two stars which is something of a surprise, and Tom Aikens' main venue in Chelsea lost the one star it held previously, mainly down to a massive refurbishment. The only other demotion was Richmond's Bingham Hotel Restaurant.

The two new entries for London are Pollen Street Social, helmed by Jason Atherton and Christoffer Hruskova's North Road. Both promoting the kinds of food that everyone wants to eat these days (one main ingredient, other ingredients listed underneath), whilst retaining quite an individual slant within.

Last year I merely listed the restaurants according to area but didn't actually specify the area they were in. This year I've done it alphabetically along with the area to boot. You're welcome. Get out there and get eating. There are 54 Michelin-starred establishments in London so there's something for everyone. Here's to a food-filled 2012!

Three Stars:
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Mayfair
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, Chelsea

Two Stars:
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, Mayfair
Hibiscus, Mayfair
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Strand & Covent Garden
Le Gavroche, Mayfair
Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley, Belgravia
The Ledbury, North Kensington
The Square, Mayfair

One Star:
Amaya, Belgravia
Apsleys, A Heinz Beck Restaurant, Belgravia
Arbutus, Soho
Benares, Mayfair
Chez Bruce, Wandsworth
Club Gascon, City of London
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Hyde Park & Knightsbridge
Galvin at Windows, Mayfair
Galvin La Chapelle, Spitalfields
Gauthier Soho, Soho
Greenhouse, Mayfair
Hakkasan Hanway Place, Bloomsbury
Hakkasan Mayfair, Mayfair
Harwood Arms, Fulham
Kai, Mayfair
Kitchen W8, Kensington
La Trompette, Chiswick
L'Autre Pied, Regent's Park & Marylebone
Locanda Locatelli, Regent's Park & Marylebone
Maze, Mayfair
Murano, Mayfair
Nobu, Mayfair
Nobu Berkeley St, Mayfair
North Road, Clerkenwell
Petersham Nurseries Café, Richmond
Pétrus, Belgravia
Pied à Terre, Bloomsbury
Pollen Street Social, Mayfair
Quilon, Victoria
Rasoi, Chelsea
Rhodes Twenty Four, City of London
Rhodes W1 (Restaurant), Regent's Park & Marylebone
Semplice, Mayfair
Seven Park Place, St James's
Sketch (The Lecture Room & Library), Mayfair
St John, Clerkenwell
Tamarind, Mayfair
Texture, Regent's  Park & Marylebone
The Glasshouse, Kew
The River Café, Hammersmith
Umu, Mayfair
Viajante, Bethnal Green
Wild Honey, Mayfair
Yauatcha, Soho
Zafferano, Belgravia
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Monday, 24 January 2011

Michelin Guide 2011 – London Restaurants


Amidst a howl of derision from some (Jay Rayner in particular) and a whoop of jubilation from others, the latest Michelin Guide has been published. The full UK list is here, but as usual it is London's achievements I intend to focus on.

The biggest news is that Hélène Darroze has obtained a second star for her restaurant at The Connaught. Good for her, I say. I ate there a while back and had a wonderful time. Of course, prices will duly increase and I'm sure it will now be taken off Toptable, but good-o all the same. On a personal point, this now makes Marcus Wareing's restaurant the only Michelin two-star venue in London which I have yet to eat in. (Reviews are following for a few of these...)

On the topic of Marcus Wareing, a few people were rather surprised that he didn't get his much-coveted third star last year. That he has missed out this beggars belief (apparently). What may gall the Ramsay protege even further is that Ramsay's re-launched and much-maligned Pétrus has been awarded one star also. This is a real surprise, and some welcome news for Ramsay Holdings after what has been a tough year for the loud-mouthed Scot.

The two three-star institutions in London remain as before - though many in more sophisticated quarters than I questioned why Alain Ducasse ever got one for The Dorchester in the first place - in both Ducasse's hotel restaurant and Ramsay's flagship on Royal Hospital Road.

Two restaurants - Nahm and Roussillon - lost the one star they had, but plenty of restaurants were awarded a first star. Seven Park Place, Gauthier Soho, Galvin La Chappelle, Petersham Nurseries Café, Viajante and Kitchen W8 were all recognised when previously they hadn't been. I have been to some of these and others are very much on my 'to do' list.

Overall, a good Michelin year for London and a very good one for the UK, with more stars being awarded here than ever before. We may not yet be up there with Paris or Tokyo, but the times are slowly changing.

The full list of Michelin-starred restaurants in London for 2011:

Three Stars:
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester

Two Stars:
Pied à Terre
The Ledbury
Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
Le Gavroche
Hibiscus
The Square
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

One Star:
Hakkasan
Club Gascon
Rhodes Twenty Four
Harwood Arms
River Café
La Trompette
St John
Rasoi
Tom Aikens
Kitchen W8
The Glasshouse
Bingham Restaurant
Petersham Nurseries Café
Viajante
Galvin La Chapelle
Chez Bruce
Amaya
Apsleys, A Heinz Beck Restaurant
Pétrus
Zafferano
Benares
Galvin at Windows
Greenhouse
Kai
Maze
Murano
Nobu
Nobu Berkeley St
Semplice
Sketch
Tamarind
Umu
Wild Honey
L'Autre Pied
Locanda Locatelli
Rhodes W1
Texture
Seven Park Place
Arbutus
Gauthier Soho
Yauatcha
Quilon
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Thursday, 14 October 2010

Top 100 UK Restaurants 2010

The NRA rears its ugly head again. I'm not talking about gun nuts from America, but the National Restaurant Awards. They have seen fit to bestow us with another list which aspiring gourmands, critics and gluttons (I'm all of the above) can ponder and peruse as we set ourselves places to visit in the coming 12 months.

As usual, the full list is here, but I've picked out the London specific eateries for your pleasure. Notable changes are the huge falls from grace for Corrigan's Mayfair (shame), Bentley's Osyter Bar & Grill (good) and Tom Aikens (worrying). In general, the list seems to have been hit with big falls and substantial new entries.

The most notable newcomer is bang in at number three with Bistro Bruno Loubet of Clerkenwell shooting almost to the top of the list in its first year. Hot on its heels is Bar Boulud, the new Knightsbridge-based venture opened by world-renowned Daniel Boulud, famed for his stellar New York restaurant. Galvin La Chapelle, the not-quite-yet-last season venture of the Galvin brothers (who have three places in the list), steams in at 10 and various other notable newbies punctuate the top 100.

However, the name everyone is applauding is The Ledbury, for jumping up 30 places to number 1. The small place in Notting Hill is on my list and a review will be published here before the end of the year. It's been on the radar ever since I wandered past there by accident a couple of years back, and I hope it's every bit as glorious as its ranking suggests.

So here's to London, with over half the best restaurants in the UK within our fair city's walls. (Yes, I realise I've made some huge semantic errors there but let's assume that this list is correct and London is still walled. And fair.) There is a city of fine eating out there, not always at ludicrous prices, and it's up to us to enjoy it.

The London venues within the UK's top 100 restaurants:

14 Hix
32 Maze
39 Roka
54 Zuma
96 Koya
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Thursday, 15 October 2009

Top 100 UK Restaurants 2009

Restaurant magazine recently published the National Restaurant Awards 2009 listings. Comprising the top 100 restaurants in the UK plus some other choice prizes, the winners podium is an interesting read. Click here for the full list of winners and the specific awards. Below is a list (along with positions) of all the London-based restaurants in the top 100:

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