The North East dining scene is celebrating this Tuesday following news of its huge Michelin star success which sees Newcastle's Kenny Atkinson 'ecstatic' at earning a first star for his second city restaurant Solstice and the region's previous winners all holding on to their own stars - no mean feat given the consistent standards this requires.
At a grand Michelin Awards ceremony attended by Atkinson on Monday night, it was announced that Solstice, the fine dining venue he opened on the Side last summer with his wife Abbie, has been awarded a Michelin star and, in a double win for the chef-restaurateur, his debut restaurant House of Tides, just along the road from Solstice, retains its own star which it first won in 2015.
It brings the region's tally of star-holder resturants to five for the first time as, in further good news for the region, fellow previous winners Hjem and Pine in Northumberland also retain their Michelin stars and Raby Hunt in County Durham keeps its two, making it one of just 20 restaurants in the UK to achieve two stars.
Read more: UK's 'most beloved restaurants' are revealed and four are in Newcastle
At news of his own double win, Atkinson told the ceremony he was "ecstatic", adding his team had not expected anything but had "hoped". He said: "I'm very happy, overwhelmed for the team, they've worked so hard this year.
"This is a journey that started back in 2020, between the two lockdowns so I think it's a reward that's great for the team and great for the city as well."
The Michelin Guide highlights Solstice's multi-course tasting menu of "well-balanced, intricate and modern dishes" and says that the "sauces are particularly memorable", advising "go for the wine pairing for the ultimate dining experience", while House of Tides is praised for top quality produce and "accomplished, creative dishes" which evolve with the seasons.
Its review of Pine, run by Siân Buchan and chef patron Cal Byerley at Vallum Farm in Wallhouses, said its multi-course tasting menu showcases Northumbrian ingredients which are skilfully used with flavours reflecting the area. It adds: "Cal knows the local area intimately and, as well as plucking fresh ingredients from their kitchen garden, leads his team on foraging missions and seeks out small independent producers, farmers and growers.
"Using this produce, he creates small finely crafted dishes which are full of colour and really pack a punch." Last year Pine also won a Michelin Green Star in little more than nine months after its launch in 2021 and of its latest success Cal and head chef Ian Waller said: ‘’We’ve both been on a rollercoaster year since being awarded a Michelin Star and a Michelin Green Star.
"Successfully retaining our award reflects every single member of the team’s dedication to what they do. For all of us this isn’t just a job it’s a passion and to have the opportunity to shout out loud about where you live, the produce that’s grown there and the people that create those ingredients is what it’s all about for us.’’
Co-owner Siân added: ‘’Every single one of us in the team has worked incredibly hard since being presented with our star last year, and we’ve continued to build momentum." She says she has no doubt that the region's success is down to having access to some of the best ingredients to be found anywhere, the best talent and "incredibly passionate people" and she added: "The dining scene in the North is thriving and is definitely the one to watch."
For fellow Northumberland success Restaurant Hjem, in Wall in the heart of Hadrian’s Wall Countrys, Monday's awards - held at the Silverstone Circuit - was the first chance head chef Alex Nietosvuori and his restaurant manager wife Ally Thompson have had to attend the ceremony in person due to its past two years being in virtual format because of the pandemic.
Hjem has won Michelin praise for the likes of its "precise original cooking" with finesse and its "surprise" menu. Alex, who brings his native Scandinavian cooking techniques to bear upon local produce, calls the star "an absolute honour", adding: “We have an amazing team at Hjem and it’s testament to their hard work - as well as our wonderful local suppliers - that we are where we are today.
"We started Hjem in 2019 determined to do something special from our restaurant in Northumberland and it never gets old to be told that the Michelin inspectors think we’re doing just that." Ally added: “We’re so incredibly proud of what we have achieved so far at Hjem and look forward to continue reaching for the stars as we move forward.”
Raby Hunt at Summerhouses near Darlington, run by self-taught chef James Close, was singled out by the Michelin Guide for signature dishes including poached razor clams and wagyu beef and it said: "The enticing, highly original menu is a showcase of precision" with "some of the country's most sublime desserts".
In response to clocking up a remarkable seventh year with two stars, Close tweeted "I will not take this for granted", saying he and his wife, head pastry chef Maria, "strive for perfection" and adding: " We are truly a small family business and through the hard times and the good we stick together." Among the messages of congratulations to follow was one comment which said: "If there’s a better place to dine in England I have yet to find it ."
For the full Michelin Guide news see here.
Read Next
- 'It feels great' - Terry Laybourne repens St Vincent in Newcastle
Northumberland's Pine named sixth in list of UK’s top 100 restaurants
-
10 restaurants that don't have a Michelin star but we love anyway
Three North East restaurants named among UK's best for brunch or lunch
Michelin Guide reveals best place for onion rings around Newcastle
