Four North East Michelin Star restaurants have been named among the top 100 dining establishments in the UK.
House of Tides on Newcastle Quayside, Restaurant Pine and Restaurant Hjem in Northumberland, and The Raby Hunt in Darlington were all listed in the top 100 of the prestigious Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards, which were announced yesterday at a ceremony at London's Hurlingham Club. The list is voted for by 200 industry experts from across the UK, including chefs, restaurateurs, critics and food writers.
The highest placed in the North East was Kenny Atkinson and wife Abbie's award-winner House of Tides in 14th place - though undoubtedly an amazing result, it has dropped ten places from fourth in the awards last year. Described as a "beacon of excellence in a city that's not especially known for its food" and the dining area as "unpretentious in feel," Atkinson was praised for being back home "to give the north-east restaurant scene a shot in the arm."
A post on the House of Tides Facebook page read: "No words can express how happy and proud we are just to make this year's top 100 national restaurant awards. Well done to everyone at team House of Tides for their continued hard work and support.
"It was so heart warming to have so many of our industry friends vote for us yet again. The North East is looking very strong on the UK restaurant scene now."
Next up was a new entry to the list, Pine at Vallum Farm, which opened last summer and picked up its first Michelin Star within a year of opening, shortly after getting a rave review from Times' food critic Marina O'Loughlin. Its 16-course tasting menu bagged it a spot in the top 50, coming in at number 48.
Located in an old cow barn with views of the Northumberland countryside, it's described as: "A tactile environment of light woods and furs with the room taking on an almost ethereal warm glow as the sun sets through its large window for a truly bucolic dining experience. The cooking is progressive, using techniques such as preserving, fermenting and ageing to full effect, but never feels overwrought."
Chef Cal Byerley and front of house manager Siân Buchan, the couple behind Pine, said: "‘We can’t say how much this means to us all. We’ve had a stellar year so far and featuring alongside the UK’s top restaurants; including the likes of Ynyshir, Core, House of Tides, Hjem and L’Enclume is amazing!
"Being listed at No.48 is huge for us, especially as it massively recognises the hard work of every member of the team in the restaurant as we continue to improve and evolve on our journey."
Pine was ranked four places above Northumberland's first Michelin Star restaurant, Hjem, which saw a drop from 25th to 52nd for this year's list. Located in the tiny village of Wall near Hexham and inside the Hadrian Hotel, it opened in 2019 and serves 'the very best local produce come together with Scandinavian values and cooking techniques'.
Rounding off the North East's entries into the top 100 was the Raby Hunt in Summerhouse in Darlington. Despite being ranked in 72nd place, it actually has more Michelin stars than the other North East entries, retaining its two Michelin Stars for the sixth year in a row in February.
Of self-taught chef James Close's restaurant, it was written: "The line-up changes with the seasons, but expect a procession of meticulously crafted dishes such as a crab tartlet; aged otoro nigiri; and razor clam with almond and celeriac. Presentation is never short of exquisite, with beautiful crockery specifically matched to each dish, while the comprehensive wine list offers value and detailed tasting notes."
As well as recognising the most exciting fine-dining restaurants in the country, six other categories gave dining establishments around the UK the chance to get an award, with Horticulture in Newcastle City Centre nominated for the Food Lovers Award - the general public's favourite restaurants in the country. However, it lost out to Beach House in Swansea.
Earlier in the year, two North East pubs made the list of the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs: The Rat Inn in Corbridge and the Broad Chare on Newcastle Quayside. To read the full list of the top 100 restaurants in the UK, click here.
Have you been to any of the restaurants listed above? Let us know!
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