1 Star Michelin
I don’t even think it would be rude to describe The Sportsman as a run down old boozer – if anything it might even be a compliment. But that is most certainly its charm. Along with it being by the sea, if the weather is good, it’s all rather beautiful. It’s even got a Michelin star. It’s as unpretentious as it gets; there’s a bar, … Continue reading The Sportsman, Kent
I’ve not had much luck with Nathan Outlaw’s restaurants: even though I really want to love them, apart from an incredible meal at his two star eponymous restaurant in Cornwall, they never quite deliver. Outlaw’s at the Capital played it far too safe and Mariners at Rock was just a bit weird. Michelin-starred Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen is based in picturesque Port Isaac, which you might … Continue reading Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen, Port Isaac
I remember my first dinner at St John, a Michelin-starred institution by Trevor Gulliver and Fergus Henderson, a good few years back. I tried tongue for the first time, both lamb and ox, and my gentleman companion struggled to finish a grouse so rare it was practically squawking. It was brilliant. We recently returned on a Thursday evening (after Lizzie Mabbot‘s Chinatown Kitchen book launch at … Continue reading St John, Farringdon
Umu is a Michelin starred Japanese restaurant that has been around for over ten years now. It’s owned by the same group who run The Greenhouse and Morton’s members club. It was a slightly stern welcome from a chap who could have easily been a headmaster as opposed to a maitre d’; certainly not rude but not forthcoming with the lovin’ either. The room was … Continue reading Umu, Mayfair
Relae was the last of the Michelin starred restaurants we visited during our time in Copenhagen and it was based in the slightly rougher part of town – mind you, it’s worth bearing in mind I’m a total wimp! The restaurant had a totally relaxed feel about it; the wine and water were left for you to help yourself and there was also rather loud … Continue reading Relae, Copenhagen
Michelin starred Kokkeriet isn’t Copenhagen’s newest or trendiest restaurant, in fact very few of the locals we spoke to had heard of it (that might be because our pronunciation was wrong though). We didn’t let that deter us however and off we trolloped for dinner. The welcome from each member of staff was as warm as it gets; they exuded friendliness as soon as we … Continue reading Kokkeriet, Copenhagen
We had a truly brilliant meal at Nathan Outlaw’s Michelin starred restaurant in Cornwall a few years back; the service was outstanding and it was the only time we’ve ever had a seafood tasting menu. I wasn’t entirely convinced the whole ethos of fresh and mostly local fish would transport well to his second restaurant (in the Capital Hotel, Knightsbridge) but it got a Michelin … Continue reading Outlaw’s at The Capital, Knightsbridge
Alimentum is a Michelin starred restaurant based in Cambridge which is run by a chap called Mark Poynton, whom you might recognise from BBC’s Great British Menu. He used to be head chef at Midsummer House (a two Michelin starred restaurant, also in Cambridge) so he’s got plenty of experience in the art of fine dining. The dining room simply wasn’t my cup of tea; … Continue reading Alimentum, Cambridge
Our first visit to Paul Ainsworth’s restaurant No.6 in Padstow, Cornwall was absolutely faultless; cracking food and service and totally deserving of its Michelin star. On a return visit to the area with my parents, I couldn’t resist dragging them in for lunch. If you haven’t been to Padstow before, you really must; it’s a beautiful harbour town which is filled with great restaurants. As … Continue reading Paul Ainsworth at No 6, Padstow
Located in Knightsbridge, Amaya is a Michelin starred Indian restaurant by the same people as Veeraswamy, Chutney Mary and Masala Zone. After a recent incredible meal at Indian restaurant Gymkhana, I was really excited to see what Amaya had to offer – but sadly the whole experience from start to finish was a total disappointment. The restaurant was an attractive space which was flooded with … Continue reading Amaya, Knightsbridge
Father and daughter duo Juan Mari Arzak and Elena Arzak Espina own their eponymous restaurant in San Sebastian, Spain and have held their three Michelin star status for over twenty years. Rather than open their own venture over here, they’ve instead decided to oversee a restaurant, thus creating Ametsa with Arzak Instruction – not the most exciting name ever created! The restaurant is based in … Continue reading Ametsa with Arzak Instruction
Owned by the Galvin brothers, Galvin La Chapelle near Spitalfields Market has held its Michelin star for over two years. The brothers also own one starred Galvin at Windows on the 28th floor of the London Hilton hotel on Park Lane, so the pair have plenty of experience in classical French fine dining. We arrived at the restaurant and were taken aback by its enormity; the … Continue reading Galvin La Chapelle
Pied à Terre is a Michelin starred restaurant in Fitzrovia – all the good places are in Fitzrovia these days! It’s owned by David Moore (you might remember him from the TV series The Restaurant with Raymond Blanc) who also owns Michelin starred L’Autre Pied and the new pop-up Pieds Nus in the old Roganic site, both in Marylebone. I first visited the restaurant a … Continue reading Pied à Terre
Angler is a seafood restaurant owned by the D&D group – they own a staggering 24 restaurants in London including Michelin starred Launceston Place, Coq d’Argent, Bluebird in Chelsea, Butlers Wharf Chophouse…I could go on for days. It’s based in the rather swanky South Place Hotel near Liverpool Street and as the restaurant recently received a Michelin star we thought we’d pop along for lunch. … Continue reading Angler
I was super excited to be visiting Casamia for lunch – even the two and a half hour drive from London to Bristol didn’t even deter me. It’s owned and run by Bristolian brothers Jonray and Peter Sanchez-Iglesias whose food I’ve eaten before at The Cube pop-up on the Southbank – and loved. The restaurant used to be owned by their parents who ran the … Continue reading Casamia, Bristol
