The reputation of Pine in Northumberland is branching out even further with news that the restaurant has earned another top UK award - which sees it rank higher than The Ritz - as well as a European honour.
Since it opened in 2021 at Vallum Farm, Wallhouses, in the heart of Hadrian's Wall country, Pine has won a string of awards including a Michelin star - and a Green Star in recognition of its sustainable practices - and now its chef patron Cal Byerley and partner, front-of-house manager Siân Buchan, who run it, have two more big reasons to celebrate. Joined by head chef Ian Waller, they have Pine's name with a multi-course tasting menu showcasing Northumbrian ingredients, including many from the restaurant's own kitchen garden.
And the combined talents of the three have created a dining destination in Pine who now has been named one of the top UK restaurants at the National Restaurant Awards. The news was announced at a ceremony on Monday night, revealing Pine features at a remarkable number six in the influential list of the top 100 places to dine in 2023 - a list which previously saw it ranked at number 48 - and it comes in ahead of such prestigious venues as The Ritz, the famous London hotel, which took seventh place.
Our region's other Michelin star restaurants featured too, with Kenny Atkinson's Solstice on Newcastle quayside, which recently won its star, ranked at number 17 out of 100 and his House of Tides at number 23 while Hjem in Northumberland was placed at 63 and The Raby Hunt at Darlington at 82.
On the same night Pine learned it is also the UK’s highest new entry in a European list of must-dine restaurants. This OAD - Opinionated About Dining - dining guide list, drawn up with the help of reviewers worldwide, highly recommends it as one of the top restaurants to visit in Europe, ranking it at number five out of 30 venues, just behind Igniv at the Bad Ragaz resort in Switzerland at number four; Lyst in Velje, Denmark, in third place; Oba in Casas-Ibáñez, Spain, in second and Jan in Munich, Germany in top spot.
A delighted Cal, who earlier this year was on BBC's Great British Menu, and co-owner Sian said: ''2023 has been more than a little bit hectic and that’s being really, really polite! To be recognised by some of the most discerning foodies there are, is pretty overwhelming especially in two very significant industry lists.
"All we can say is that absolutely everyone in the team is totally buzzing with excitement - we’re all made up and it might take a little while for it all to sink in!’’
Both new listings, which also see House of Tides, The Raby Hunt and Hjem featured among the highly commended European restaurants, are hugely important. The National Restaurant Awards, which launched in 2007, are out to celebrate the best of a vibrant UK dining scene, from gastropubs to Michelin venues, and reward the talents behind them, from chefs to front-of-house staff. The 100 restaurants featured in the list are voted for by 200 industry experts from across the UK who include chefs, restaurateurs, critics and food writers.
For the full list of places included in the National Restaurant Awards see here and for more about 2023's OAD European lists see here.
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