THIS WEEK saw the release of The Sunday Times Top 100 restaurants in Britain.
Released annually, the esteemed list is coveted by restaurants nationwide and this year features two Manchester institutions; two time entry The French (voted 85th and 61st in 2013 and 2014 respectively), which leaps 31 spots to 30st this year, and new entry James Martin which takes 78th.
The list is compiled using over 63,000 reviews from more than 7,000 consumers
The French, nestled in the equally iconic Midland Hotel, celebrated its fortieth birthday last year and shows no sign of relaxing its gastronomic excellence under Michelin starred chef Simon Rogan’s stewardship.
After controversially missing out on a Michelin star in September for the third year running it’s some consolation for Rogan and his team (which incidentally was the Good Food Guide’s highest-ranked restaurant without a star this year).
James Martin’s namesake, meanwhile, has only just turned two; making it one of the youngest - and cheapest - to scoop the Sunday Times honour. The stylish venue, located within Deansgate’s 235 Casino, doesn’t compromise on quality however: blending signature dishes with Great Northern industrial aesthetics and its own walk-in meat market.
Celebrity chef James MartinAt the other end of the spectrum, Cartmel’s L’Enclume (another one of Rogan's) ranks as one the list’s most expensive, at £150 per head. The Lancashire hotspot has retained its position in the top ten, being one of four other North West venues to make the list overall. Langho’s Northcote also flies the flag for Lancashire whilst Cheshire gourmands are represented by Top 100 fixtures Simon Radley and Fraiche.
Now in its sixth edition, the list is compiled by The Sunday Times in partnership with Harden’s, using over 63,000 reviews from more than 7,000 consumers:
1 Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms - Nottingham
2 Midsummer House - Cambridge
3 L'Enclume - Cartmel
4 Casamia - Bristol
5 Restaurant Martin Wishart - Edinburgh
6 Gidleigh Park - Newton Abbot
7 Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons - Oxford
8 The Ledbury - London
9 The Araki - London
10 Harry's Place - Grantham
11 Restaurant Nathan Outlaw - Port Isaac
12 Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles - Auchterarder
13 One-o-One - London
14 Restaurant Story - London
15 The Waterside Inn - Bray
16 Kitchen Table - London
17 Raby Hunt - Darlington
18 Le Gavroche - London
19 Marianne - London
20 L'Ortolan - Reading
21 Yorke Arms - Pateley Bridge
22 Fraiche - Birkenhead
23 21212 - Edinburgh
24 Hedone - London
25 Hambleton Hall - Oakham
26 The Peat Inn - St Andrews
27 Winteringham Fields - Winteringham
28 The Black Swan at Oldstead - York
29 Llangoed Hall - Brecon
30 The French - Manchester
31 The Fat Duck - Bray
32 Hibiscus - London
33 The Clove Club - London
34 The Kitchin - Edinburgh
35 Drake's Restaurant - Ripley
36 Pied a Terre - London
37 Matt Gillan at The Pass - Lower Beeding
38 Mr Underhill's at Dinham - Weir Ludlow
39 Amberley Castle - Arundel
40 Texture - London
41 The Three Chimneys and The House Over-By - Dunvegan
42 The Square - London
43 The Five Fields - London
44 Fera at Claridge's - London
45 The Dining Room at Whatley Manor Hotel - Malmesbury
46 Rasoi - London
47 Yashin - London
48 The Harrow at Little Bedwyn - Marlborough
49 Bohemia - Jersey
50 The Boat House - Bangor
51 Andre Garrett at Cliveden - Taplow
52 Fischer's Baslow Hall - Baslow
53 Petrus - London
54 Purnell's - Birmingham
55 The Greenhouse - London
56 Box Tree - Ilkley
57 Restaurant Gordon Ramsay - London
58 Michael Wignall at The Latymer - Bagshot
59 Ametsa with Arzak Instruction - London
60 The Neptune Restaurant with Rooms - Hunstanton
61 Roux at Parliament Square - London
62 Typing Room - London
63 Northcote - Blackburn
64 Stovell's - Chobham
65 Menu Gordon Jones - Bath
66 Simon Radley at The Chester Grosvenor - Chester
67 Sushi Tetsu - London
68 Koffmann's - London
69 Hakkasan Mayfair - London
70 Cotto - Cambridge
71 Sketch (Lecture Room and Library) - London
72 Summer Lodge Country House Hotel - Dorchester
73 The Artichoke - Amersham
74 The River Cafe - London
75 Applecross Inn - Wester Ross
76 Zuma - London
77 Hunan - London
78 James Martin - Manchester
79 Roger Hickman's Restaurant - Norwich
80 Yauatcha - London
81 HKK - London
82 Chez Bruce - London
83 Dinner by Heston Blumenthal - London
84 Kai Mayfair - London
85 Roka Mayfair - London
86 Lavenham Great House Restaurant - Lavenham
87 Seven Park Place by William Drabble - London
88 Amaya - London
89 Adam's - Birmingham
90 Wiltons - London
91 L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon - London
92 Lords of the Manor - Cheltenham
93 Verveine - Milford On Sea
94 Dinings - London
95 Walnut Tree Inn - Abergavenny
96 Wedgewood - Edinburgh
97 The Lickfold Inn - Petworth
98 Marcus - London
99 Bentley's Oyster Bar and Grill - London
100 Benares - London
