Three Nottingham restaurants have made their way into a UK-wide Top 100 list of high-flying culinary gems. The list has been put together by Squaremeal, which was founded in 1990 and hailed the country's best-known restaurant, bar and venue website.
The Nottingham restaurants are no strangers to making the news - two are Michelin-starred and one has a Michelin recommendation. The 2023 list includes movers and shakers in the food and drink world including Ynyshir in Wales, L'Enclume in Cumbria and The Fat Duck in Bray. Restaurant Andrew Fairlie in Scotland, last week named number one by the prestigious food guide Harden's, also features.
The results are a combination of the views of Squaremeal's in-house critics and thousands of diner votes. "It’s this dual approach that makes our list incomparable, representing not only our professional opinion but thousands of real-life experiences that help to reinforce and bolster our final decisions," they said.
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The best-rated locally on the list is Alchemilla, in Derby Road, near Canning Circus, coming in at number 13. It is described by Squaremeal as "a progressive, forward-thinking restaurant in Nottingham run by Restaurant Sat Bains alumni Alex Bond. Its tasting menus are filled with invention and modern ideas, including the likes of nori with fermented mushroom caramel and aged parmesan."
Two-Michelin starred Restaurant Sat Bains, in Lenton Lane, ranks in 15th place. "This small but mighty restaurant with rooms has held on to its two Michelin stars for over a decade now, not least because it’s turning out some of the most exceptional plates in the UK both in terms of style and quality," says the list.
Also making the grade is Japanese-inspired Kushi-ya in Cannon Court, off Long Row. Featuring in 25th spot, the restaurant is described as "inventive, refined and affordable in equal measure, Japanese sharing plates restaurant Kushi-ya is an immense addition to Nottingham’s dining scene. Pop by for a staggering display of skewers, small plates and sake."
Topping the list is Grace & Savour at Hampton Manor in the West Midlands. The idyllic countryside retreat is hailed a "gleaming jewel with a very bright future."
Announcing the winners Squaremeal said: "This year truly must have presented the highest calibre of restaurants yet. Whittling down the UK’s burgeoning dining scene into just 100 top spots was an excruciating job that took months of planning and deliberation by both our team, and our readers.
"With a whole host of new openings included in the ranks, there’s never been a more exciting time to explore our Great British Isles in pursuit of a once-in-a-lifetime meal. That being said, it’s some of the old-timers, the classics, that stood out to us most. While you might have already heard of them, we’re here to tell you they’re still at the top of their game and are worth adding to your eating itinerary over the next 12 months."
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