Le Manoir's lavender path leads the way to fine dining
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With so many great restaurants to visit and so little time, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. So we’ve narrowed it down to our pick of the UK and Ireland’s best.
1 Murano
Angela Hartnett’s latest venture, Murano, opened its Mayfair doors in August this year and is currently impressing diners with its fine Italian cuisine, reflecting Hartnett’s distinctive ancestry. Along with head chef Diego Cardoso, exquisite dishes such as langoustine and shrimp risotto and braised beef cheek agnolotti make up the menu. A raised private dining area with a direct view of the kitchen offers unsurprisingly the most sought after tables. Cost??
Queen Street, London W1J 5PR
Contact: 020 7592 1222 www.gordonramsay.com/murano
2 The Fat Duck
Despite being awarded three Michelin stars in 2004 and named this year as the second best restaurant in the world, The Fat Duck continues its success without the snobbery usually associated with haute cuisine. Hailed as a culinary genius, self-taught head chef Heston Blumenthal showcases his talent for “multi-sensory cooking” in the eight course, plus extras, tasting menu. If you prefer more recognisible dishes, the à la carte menu offers modern British fare, includes roast scallop and saddle of venison. Tasting menu £125 pp, a la carte £95 pp.
Bray, Berkshire SL6 2AQ
Contact: 01628 580 333 www.thefatduck.co.uk
3 Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons
Surrounded by quintessentially English gardens Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons is a country house hotel, although many visitors come purely for the gastronomic pleasures on offer in Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin star restaurant. His faultless contemporary French menu focuses on flavours found in the finest organic ingredients and hundreds of fresh vegetables and herbs are handpicked from the two-acre kitchen garden and used in the restaurant dishes. Dinner menu from £95 pp.
Great Milton, Oxfordshire OX44 7PD
Contact: 01844 278 881 www.manoir.com
4 The Kitchin
The Kitchin is named after chef-proprietor Tom Kitchin who last year at 29 years old, became the youngest Scotsman ever to receive a Michelin star. With a philosophy of “from nature to plate”, only the freshest, local, seasonal ingredients make it to the menu. The restaurant is part of an old converted warehouse and despite the slate-grey dining room, where all natural light has been cut off, there remains a welcoming feel. French maitre d’ Philippe Nublat completes the dining experience with the confidence of a man who clearly knows the menu inside out. Average £50 pp for three courses, six course surprise tasting menu £60 pp.
Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6LX
Contact: 0131 555 1755 www.thekitchin.com
5 Gidleigh Park
Nestled between Dartmoor National Park and the North Teign River, Gidleigh Park is one of the UK’s finest and most charming country house hotels. Thanks to head chef Michael Caines’ inventive, modern European cuisine, the restaurant has held two Michelin stars since 1999. Diners can choose from an à la carte menu or a weekly changing tasting menu, both using local, seasonal produce. Walk off those extra calories after your meal among the beautiful surrounding woodlands and countryside. Three course menu £85 pp, tasting menu £95 pp.
Contact: Chagford, Devon TQ13 8HH
01647 432 367 www.gidleigh.com
6 Restaurant Gordon Ramsay
Surprisingly the only restaurant in London with three Michelin stars, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay serves exquisite, highly imaginative French cuisine. The intimate dining area, coupled with unparalleled service makes the restaurant perfect for romantic dining. Diners can choose from an à la carte menu or the menu prestige – an indulgent seven course tasting menu with dishes such as roasted Loire Valley foie gras with braised carrots and almond foam cooked to perfection. The high demand means you’ll need to book two months in advance to secure a table. Three course meal £90 pp, seven course tasting menu £120 pp.
Chelsea, London SW3 4HP
Contact: 020 7352 4441 www.gordonramsay.com/royalhospitalroad
7 The Marina Villa Hotel
With breathtaking, picturesque views of the Fowey estuary, Restaurant Nathan Outlaw in the Marina Villa Hotel has one of the best locations in Cornwall. Presented a ‘rising two star’ award this year, chef Nathan Outlaw’s talent shines through his unfussy, beautifully presented dishes – starters include squab pigeon with chocolate and cherries, and his creative flair makes the main courses exceptional. Together with the spectacular food comes attentive, knowledgeable service, chic nautical dècor and a confident wine list. Average £47 pp for three courses.
Fowey, Cornwall PL23 1HY
Contact: 01726 833 315 www.themarinahotel.co.uk
8 Sharrow Bay
Set in an idyllic country house hotel in the Lake District, Sharrow Bay benefits from stunning views of the shores of Ullswater. The dinner menu is a diverse and contemporary affair, including a stunning soufflè of stilton, spinach and roast onion and fried fillet of turbot with shrimp risotto. As the famed creators of a great British favourite, sticky toffee pudding, the desserts are a highlight, with a delicious dark chocolate and cherry soufflè heading up the menu. The award winning, diverse wine list is fairly priced, with 20 wines available by the glass. Three course meal £60 pp, including coffee and petit fours.
Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2LZ
Contact: 01768 486 301 www.sharrowbay.co.uk
9 Ashford Castle
Well-heeled American diners flock to the 13th century Ashford Castle, one of the most exclusive luxury hotels in the world. The beautiful grounds consist of hundreds of acres of wooded parkland and lakes, worth visiting for the scenery alone. With a choice of two restaurants, chef Stefan Matz makes good use of high quality local seasonal produce in the Connaught room, the original dining room in the castle dating back to the Guinness family era. There is a seven course tasting menu, or the à la carte option comprises of hearty Irish cuisine, such as cream of Galway bay oyster soup and apple juice braised local venison on creamed celeriac. The George V room functions as a main dining room serving sumptuous Irish or international cuisine. Seven course tasting menu in the Connaught room £95 pp, three course meal in the George V room £70 pp.
Cong, Co Mayo, Ireland
Contact: 00353 94 954 6003 www.ashford.ie
10 Ostler’s Close Restaurant
Tucked away down a narrow lane, Ostler’s Close is undoubtedly one of Scotland’s hidden treasures. Run for 27 years by husband and wife team Jimmy and Amanda Graham, they’ve given the restaurant an intimate and cosy feel. The menu changes daily and uses only the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients, including fish, game and Jimmy’s speciality – wild mushrooms. The couple’s beautiful garden provides insecticide-free fresh vegetables, salad and herbs year round, as well as beautiful flowers for the restaurant tables. Average £37 pp for three courses.
Cupar, Fife KY15 4BU
Contact: 01334 655 574 www.ostlersclose.co.uk
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