Moor Hall in Aughton has been named England’s number one restaurant at the National Restaurant Awards 2023.
The Ormskirk restaurant, which is run by chef Mark Birchall, also came second in the UK overall, after coming first in 2021. The annual awards brings together the top 100 places to eat across the UK, voted for by a panel of elite chefs, restaurateurs, food writers, and critics from across the country.
The restaurants are judged on various factors, including menus, quality, and presentation. Moor Hall, which is a 30 minute drive from Liverpool, is a Grade II-listed building that dates back to the 13th century, is set in five acres of gardens with its own lake and has two Michelin stars.
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Moor Hall came second to Ynyshir in Wales, which has a singular Japanese-influenced tasting menu of numerous small courses.
Third place was awarded to Da Terra in east London, with a climb of eighteen places.
The National Resturaunt Awards Website says: "Chef Mark Birchall opened Moor Hall in 2016 having spent the best part of a decade working at Simon Rogan’s then two-starred restaurant L’Enclume, promising at the time to create ‘something special’. He’s succeeded.
"His stunning Lancashire restaurant with rooms is located in a Grade II-listed building that dates back to the 13th century and is set in five acres of gardens with its own lake, no less. Within just two years of opening, Birchall replicated the success of his mentor, also winning two stars, and he has no intention of stopping there.
"The setup at Moor Hall is impressive. The beautiful glass-fronted restaurant has an open kitchen as well as a walk-in cheese room, where diners are encouraged to visit to make their selection.
"The restaurant makes its own charcuterie in house and uses honey from its five beehives located within its verdant grounds. At Moor Hall the food really does the talking.
"The ambitious restaurant is tasting menu only, offering four and eight courses although guests can expect rather more than this in reality, such is the restaurant’s generosity when it comes to ‘extras’. An evening meal starts at the bar with a charcuterie selection before moving to the high-ceilinged room for the main event.
"It’s impressive stuff from a chef at the top of his game, one that marks Moor Hall out as a true Lancashire gem."
The Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards is Restaurant’s annual countdown of the top 100 restaurants in the UK as voted for by the UK’s leading chefs, restaurateurs and food writers.
James Healey, UK Head of On-Trade for Estrella Damm, ’the beer of Barcelona’, said: “Estrella Damm has always been proud to support the National Restaurant Awards and each year we are amazed at the array of incredible talent, who are all fully deserving of this recognition of being the very best in the UK. We are honoured to share our passion for brewing with the best restaurants in the UK, who also clearly share our devotion to quality and taste in all that they do. We hope this list encourages everyone to get out and support each and every one of these restaurants and join us in celebrating the success of the industry.”
The Full List of Awards:
● Estrella Damm National Restaurant of the Year: Ynyshir
● Best Restaurant in England: Moor Hall
● Best Restaurant in Northern Ireland: Ox
● Best Restaurant in Wales: Ynyshir
● Best Restaurant in Scotland: The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant
● Chef of the Year: Kenny Atkinson
● Restaurateur of the Year, sponsored by Entegra: Samyukta Nair
● Chef to Watch, sponsored by Belazu Ingredient Co: April Lily Partridge
● Opening of the Year, sponsored by Tripleseat: Bouchon Racine
● One to Watch, sponsored by Woods Foodservice: The Midland Grand Dining Room
● The Sustainability Award, sponsored by Estrella Damm: Pensons
● Gastropub of the Year, sponsored by Estrella Damm: Parkers Arms
● The Service Award, sponsored by Liberty Wines and Rathfinny Wine Estate: The Ledbury
● Wine List of the Year: Maison Francois
● Cocktail List of the Year, sponsored by Franklin & Sons: Roots
● Innovator of the Year, sponsored by Sevenrooms: Apricity
● Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Nespresso: Fergus Henderson and Trevor Gulliver
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