Latest news with #NationalRestaurantAwards
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
I tried the £49 lunch from Edinburgh's best chef and it was incredible
AwAyeMedia You will not be disappointed by this fabulous meal Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... I felt a bit sheepish on my visit to The Little Chartroom. This was my first time at its four-year-old location, on Edinburgh's Bonnington Road, where it decamped after three years on Albert Place. Although I've visited the owners' - chef Roberta Hall McCarron and front-of-house whizz Shaun McCarron - other, newer places, Eleanore and Ardfern, I hadn't returned to the mothership since it opened in its original spot, seven years ago. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Thankfully, now my tiller has steered me in the right direction. Hooray for the old internal compass, which is located somewhere in my gastric region. It feels like the right time. They've bagged a spot at number 79 of the top 100 venues in the National Restaurant Awards, and Hall McCarron has just launched a debut cookbook, The Changing Tides, Also, there's a new lunch menu, available Friday to Sunday, at three courses for £49, with matched wines for an additional £39. That's a steal, as the usual five-course version is £95, with wines at £65. This push to make it more accessible might explain the crew who were here on a Sunday afternoon. Young folk, families, oldies like us, and a real tombola of demographics. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The three-course option has a few extras on the list, should you want to upgrade. You can add pre-prandial oysters, for example, at £8 for two. However, we went straight in with the bread, which had obviously been hewn by carbohydrate-creating angels. This tearable and fluffy brioche loaf was varnished to a tan colour with Marmite, a bit like the gravy granule stockings of wartime, and topped with grated Spenwood cheese. There was a large quenelle of salted butter on the side. Oh my goodness, they had me at hello. Then there was the bewitching smoked mackerel course. Gaby Soutar It consisted of fish petals, with that familiar mercury-hued silver darling skin, in a beautiful pool of honeyed liquid, with dots of rapeseed oil marbling the surface. There were little pieces of tart gooseberry and fennel in there, but also gossamer thin slices of cucumber, vibrant green sea aster and nobbly halves of toasted almonds. The dish was so complex, with sweet and sour elements, but delicate, too. I don't think I've ever tasted anything like it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We'd gone for the wine pairing, and this fishy option was teamed with a lovely rounded Sauvignon Blanc that didn't compete with the starter's gentle acidity. Since there are two to choose from, we went for both mains, and shared, though he was rather possessive over his velvety and nori-powder-dusted North Sea cod. Fair enough, it was draped in THE pashmina of sauces, with a colourful polka dot of peas and tobiko, and an elderflower spiked beurre blanc sauce. Gaby Soutar To drink alongside, our sommelier had given us a beautiful minerally Lebanese white wine, with a raisin-y muscat edge. SO good. I loved my duck, too, with a beautiful pink breast and radicchio leaves and a chunky sunshine-y hued pickled apricot chutney on the side. The best element on the plate was the crispy bronzed pastilla, which had gamey confit duck and harissa in the centre. There was a glass of Australian natural red that came with this guy, and it synced perfectly. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The menu comes with two side dishes to share. We took delivery of barbecued green beans with Szechuan pepper on top, and a green parsley dressing, as well as gobstopper-sized garlic, mustard and truffle potato dauphine balls, with more of that Spenwood grated cheese. To paraphrase Annie Lennox, another carb angel was playing with my heart. At this point, you can add stilton and crackers for £15, but we stuck to dessert only, which came with a frothy and juicy glass of pink Savoie-region pet nat. This option was a lemon posset, but no ordinary version of this classic. Instead, the creamy and bright yellow citrus mixture was at the bottom of the bowl, then there were nibbly caramelised almond pieces and sliced Blacketyside Farm strawberries in a strawberry and balsamic-y consomme. On the very top, like the haar hovering over Leith, was a cloud of sabayon-style yoghurt fluff and a dehydrated strawberry powder. It was a lovely light pud, but I'd also want to have it for breakfast. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As we packed up, feeling a bit sad that it was all over, we were presented with two rectangles of fudge, each dusted with blackcurrant powder. Well, my internal compass might need a bit of recalibration, but it didn't fail me. It got me here in the end, and I know where I'm spending my next spare £49. The Little Chartroom, 14 Bonnington Road, Edinburgh (0131 556 6600,
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘There's nothing else like it': the Ritz is crowned best restaurant in the UK
It is lunchtime in central London and hungry patrons are filing into the newly crowned best restaurant in the country. This time, it is not a sparsely furnished warehouse conversion where you have to squint to see your natural wine. Nor is it a buzzy A-list hotspot, where the chefs will vet your social media before you have even arrived. Instead, it is the Ritz: the 119-year-old British institution where denim is outlawed, etiquette is king and selfies are met with a disapproving frown. Hailed the best restaurant in the UK this week by the National Restaurant awards, the hallowed dining hall of one of London's grandest hotels harks back to a time of heavy tablecloths and silver service, straight-backed chairs and seven courses. A meal at the Mayfair hotel, whose gilded restaurant is as renowned for its stringent dress code (men are expected to wear a jacket and tie) as its £62 crêpe suzette, was described by the competition's judges as a 'wonderful and memorable assault on the senses'. But what do its patrons, who come from far and wide to sample the beef wellington and hay-aged Bresse duck served arts de la table, really think? 'It's second to none – there's nothing else like it,' says Yvonne Robertson, a 55-year-old fitness instructor from Glasgow who came last year and is now back for a photograph under the hotel's arches. 'It's first class – a whole-day experience. We got all dolled up and were in there for hours.' It is no wonder that for many it is a once-in-a-lifetime trip: the restaurant's three-course lunch menu rings in at £92, while the five-course à la carte dining experience will set you back £199 (throw in another £700 if you want the prestige wine pairing). 'It's not cheap,' admitted the competition judges, 'but when eating at this level of luxury you wouldn't expect it to be.' Robertson's companion, Audrey O'Neill, an administrator, is inclined to agree. 'It's exceptional,' she says. Just try not to drop anything on the floor. 'My champagne glass fell off the table – I was mortified,' she says, laughing. The waiters came to her assistance faster than you could say: 'White gloves.' In the hotel lobby, which smells like fresh peonies, French perfume and, well, money, even the hotel's youngest patron is enamoured of the chandeliers and soft piano music. 'It's her first trip to the Ritz,' says 38-year-old Marie-Claire Lowry, motioning to her baby daughter, Marlie, who is propped happily on an ornate green sofa with a crumbled scone. 'Everything is pristine,' says Lowry, who is treating her mother, Janice Lowry, to a 'posh cup of tea' for her 74th birthday. They will not quite make it all the way into what the judges called 'London's most decadent dining room' this time, but will definitely be back. 'We dropped something of the baby's on the floor and we're not even worried because it's probably so clean,' she says. 'Even my hands smell amazing from the soap in the bathrooms.' Headed by the executive chef, John Williams, the historic dining room – visited by prime ministers and princesses, and painted in a pink colour palette designed to complement a lady's blush – was quietly awarded its second Michelin star in February. Now, it has beaten Notting Hill's celebrity favourite the Ledbury to be crowned best in show. Not everyone, though, is quite so charmed by its grandeur. 'I had a very nice beef wellington,' says Clayton Such, a 44-year-old chief executive from San Francisco. 'But I'm not sure it's the best restaurant in the UK. I think the whole vibe of the Ritz … is people who want to pretend to be wealthy versus just being wealthy.' It did not help that he was politely but firmly told to put on a jacket and tie for dinner when he wandered down from his hotel room in a short-sleeved shirt. 'It definitely seems like a place where people want to put on airs,' he says.
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Gordon Ramsay reveals staff ban in place at restaurants – and customers love it
He insists they don't need to be asked about the quality of their meals YES CHEF Gordon Ramsay reveals staff ban in place at restaurants – and customers love it Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GORDON Ramsay has revealed he bans staff at his restaurants from asking customers how their food is. The celebrity chef said diners find being interrupted while eating to be questioned annoying. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 1 The Scots chef revealed he bans his staff from asking customers how their food is Credit: Getty He insists they don't need to be asked about the quality of their meals because the food shouldn't have been served if there is anything wrong with it. The 58-year-old Scot owns more than 50 restaurants around the globe, including his three-Michelin-star Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in London. He said he also insists that his staff have good personal hygiene because he doesn't want them to put customers off their food. He said: "There is nothing worse than a sweaty fat f**k that comes out of the kitchen and goes to the table and he's got dehydrated skin, a beard that isn't trimmed, he's sweating from the armpits and his fingernails are black. Then he asks you 'How's your lunch?'. "I mean that's the worst question. First of all you should never have sent that food if it wasn't good anyway so don't ask that question and secondly it's a bad advert for the restaurant. "It's just common sense. I hate laziness, I hate slobs, I'm not good at that. "Laziness is the worst thing anyone can bring into any workplace. "When chefs start cutting corners in our business you're screwed, it's the beginning of the end." Speaking on the Smartless podcast, Ramsay also told how he likes to change the staff at his restaurants every three or four years. He said: "It's important to change the staff so they don't get complacent and lazy. Gordon Ramsay reveals customers are using BATHROOMS in new skyscraper restaurant for X-rated acts "I've been a great motivator of planning succession as well. This industry is an absolute bitch and it's notorious for the burnout so when I start to spot that in the team it's important to take a bit of a sabbatical and move them on." We told previously how Scotland best food spot has been crowned at a prestigious industry bash. Lyla in Edinburgh - helmed by a Gordon Ramsay-trained chef - was handed the plaudit from the National Restaurant Awards.
South Wales Argus
13-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Cardiff restaurant named among UK's best at national awards
The National Restaurant Awards took place on Monday (June 9), celebrating "the brilliance and vibrancy of the UK restaurant scene, honouring the best chefs and operators across the country". Awards handed out at the annual event included: National Restaurant of the Year Gastropub of the Year Chef of the Year Cocktail List of the Year Wine List of the Year Opening of the Year Best Restaurant in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (four individual awards) A list of the UK's top 100 restaurants was also revealed, featuring one Cardiff-based restaurant - Gorse. The best restaurants in the UK The best restaurants in the UK, according to the National Restaurant Awards, are: Why Gorse is among the UK's best restaurants Gorse was ranked the 56th best restaurant in the country at the National Restaurant Awards. It has been described as a "tiny yet brilliant modern Welsh restaurant" and made history in 2025 by bagging Cardiff its first ever Michelin star. The National Restaurant Awards said: "Not bad going given that Gorse is the chef's debut restaurant and had been open for less than 12 months." Gorse: Cardiff's First MICHELIN Star, As Seen By Our Inspectors@gorserestaurant #Cardiff #MICHELINStar Dive deep into the latest MICHELIN Star in Wales, and the first in its capital, with this Inspector's-eye view of a truly wonderful dining experiencehttps:// — The MICHELIN Guide (@MichelinGuideUK) February 11, 2025 The "unassuming" Pontcanna restaurant (named after the shrub) is focused on seasonal Welsh produce and is fronted by chef Tom Waters. The awards website continues: "Gorse is one of the most accessible fine dining restaurants on this list offering tasting menus from as little as £60 per head. "But the longer tasting menu is where the kitchen's ambition shines, with standout dishes including the likes of Pembrokeshire mackerel with horseradish, lovage and apple; roasted kelp custard with N25 Kaluga Hybrid caviar; and a clever dish of rhubarb partnered with toasted hay cream, egg yolk jam and lavender. "Service is polished but relaxed with the minimalist Nordic-inspired 22-cover interior keeping the focus firmly on the food. "Striking a balance between classic and new wave winemakers, Gorse's wine list complements Waters' cooking beautifully but don't miss out on the restaurant's signature Martini, which is flavoured with local seaweed." Customers agree Michelin star Gorse is "exquisite" It's not just the experts who love Gorse, but customers as well, with it boasting a 4.8 (out of 5) rating on Tripadvisor from 25 reviews. Surpurlatives used to describe the Pontcanna restaurant by visitors include "exquisite", "unbelievable" and "outstanding". One person, commenting about their experience at the restaurant, said: "I had the 10 course menu with wine pairings - each course was delicious and the wine was paired perfectly. "The staff were attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. Well deserving of a Michelin star." RECOMMENDED READING: Another customer added: "Exquisite just about covers it.... sublime food, fantastic atmosphere, open kitchen and prep areas makes for an enhanced experience watching the meticulous detail from Tom and his team. "Matched with really interesting and very reasonably priced wine (especially the 5% Contero Moscat meaning I could enjoy the dessert even more). "Pontcanna continues to shine in the food universe."
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Scotland's six best restaurants named at prestigious National Restaurant Awards
Here are the top eateries in the country. Scotland's top restaurants were crowned earlier this week at the National Restaurant Awards. The list of 100 is described as the "definitive guide to the UK's best restaurants". Revealed on Monday, June 9, a total of six Scottish restaurants are featured on the prestigious roundup. Three Edinburgh eateries are included, as well as restaurants in Perth and Kinross, Fife, and Argyll and Bute. The Daily Record has compiled a list of all of the restaurants in Scotland named on the National Restaurant Awards' top 100. From fine dining establishments to trendy venues that won't break the bank, there is something for everyone. Read on for the six Scottish restaurants that were named among the best in the UK at the National Restaurant Awards. The full list can be found on the National Restaurant Awards website. Lyla, Edinburgh The highest-placing Scottish restaurant on the list, coming in at number 17, is Lyla. The fine dining restaurant, which has been recognised with a Michelin star, is located on Royal Terrace in the Scottish capital. As reported by the Daily Record, Lyla champions Scotland's natural larder. It sources line-caught fish and shellfish from the Scottish islands, as well as organic meats and vegetables. The restaurant serves up a 10-course tasting menu between Wednesday and Saturday that is priced at £165 per person. It also offers a five or seven-course lunch menu, costing £65 and £95 per person respectively. The Glenturret Lalique, Crieff The Glenturret Lalique placed at number 41 on the National Restaurant Awards' list. Housed within the iconic Glenturret whisky distillery, it has received two Michelin stars. The restaurant's menu takes inspiration from The Glenturret, as well as Scotland's stunning landscapes. Its food was praised by the National Restaurant Awards for being "playful in concept but always graceful and elegant". Priced at £220 per guest, The Glenturret Lalique's sample dinner menu includes dishes such as BBQ Orkney scallop XO, line caught bream, and 'Bisque-it'. The Kinneuchar Inn Next up is The Kinneuchar Inn in the village of Kilconquhar. The 17th-century pub and restaurant came in at number 66. The Kinneuchar Inn was noted by the National Restaurant Awards for its "good-value daily-changing à la carte menu that celebrates seasonal, locally sourced ingredients". It also earned praise for its "down-to-earth" atmosphere. Guests at The Kinneuchar Inn can enjoy dishes such as tagliatelle with Trombetta courgette, basil, and pecorino and grilled Balcaskie mutton chop with Manteca beans, kale, and green sauce. Other options include roast hake with braised fennel, chickpeas, monk's beard, and aïoli and white peach with goat's curd, oak leaf, and hazelnut. Inver, Argyll and Bute Inver is a small restaurant nestled along the shores of Loch Fyne that specialises in simply prepared fresh seafood and native meat and game in season. It placed at number 78 on the National Restaurant Awards' roundup. The restaurant was noted by the experts for its commitment to sustainability. Inver previously became among the first restaurants to be awarded a Michelin Green Star—recognising sustainable gastronomy. Inver's tasting menu is priced at £115 and includes dishes such as scallop with white asparagus and argan and potato handkerchiefs springtime onions. There is also an à la carte menu available, with dishes like Arbroath smokie broth with scallop dumplings and green asparagus and spring chicken terrine with white asparagus and dandelion shoots. The Little Chartroom, Edinburgh Elsewhere, The Little Chartroom in Edinburgh came in at number 79 on the roundup. Situated in the Scottish capital's buzzy Leith district, the eatery serves up a small menu of high-end dishes. The restaurant was described as "low key", but was noted for its modern interiors. Meanwhile, the food itself was praised for its "great confidence and imagination". The Little Chartroom offers both three and five-course dinner menus, priced at £73 and £95 respectively. Dishes include St. Bride's duck breast and leg pastilla with cauliflower, courgette, and apricot and wild garlic fazzoletti with asparagus, pheasant back mushroom, and caramelised cream. The Palmerston, Edinburgh Finally, The Palmerston in Edinburgh is the last Scottish restaurant to be included on the National Restaurant Awards' list of 100. The retro restaurant and bakery is known for its old-fashioned decor and daily-changing menu of locally sourced dishes. The Palmerston was applauded for its "familiar and comforting" atmosphere, as well as its varied menu. The restaurant was also noted for its affordable prices, with a three-course set lunch menu costing less than £25. Visitors to The Palmerston can enjoy dishes such as fish stew with cod, hake, mussels, violet artichoke, fennel, and aïoli and roast turbot with asparagus, sea spinach, agretti, and hollandaise. There is also a huge variety of desserts to choose from, including everything from tarts to trifle.
