The Michelin Inspectors have been out on the road throughout the summer, eating lunch and dinner in restaurants all over the British Isles – and some of these restaurants have impressed the inspectors enough to have earned themselves entry into the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland.
For September, we are pleased to share seven new additions to the guide, ahead of the yearly launch ceremony when the Michelin Stars, Bib Gourmands and Green Stars will be unveiled.
These newly added restaurants appear on both the website and the iOS and Android apps and are highlighted with a ‘New’ symbol for easy identification.
Plaza Khao Gaeng, Bloomsbury, London
JKS restaurants have another winner on their hands, this time in the shape of a Thai restaurant on the mezzanine level of their Arcade Food Hall, where they faithfully recreate the spicy curries of Southern Thailand (‘khao gaeng’ translates as ‘curry over rice’). Herbs and vegetables don’t travel well from Thailand, so chef Luke Farrell grows many of the ingredients himself in a custom-built tropical greenhouse in Dorset. Punchy Thai dishes like gung pad sator prik gaeng tai (tiger prawns with sator beans, stir-fried in a southern curry paste) or kua kling muu (dry wok fried pork) don’t hold back on the spicing.
Little Hollows Pasta, Bristol
This lovely little bistro-cum-deli is named after the first pasta shape chef-owner Chris learned to make many years ago; glance in the window as you enter, and you’ll see the handmade pasta hung out to dry. The best idea is to ignore the menu and just go with the team’s suggestions: you can’t go wrong with any one of the honest Italian dishes, which are authentic, fresh and full of flavour. Make sure you try one of the classic desserts – and don’t forget to grab something from the deli to take home with you!
1610, Dumfries
A beacon in the area, the historic Globe Inn is well known as a favourite haunt of legendary Scottish poet, Robert Burns, and with over 300 whiskies available – including some from the owners’ distillery – it’s a good idea to start with a drink in the cosy snug where he would have held court. Head afterwards to the atmospheric, vintage-style restaurant – whose name is a reference to the date it first opened – to enjoy creative, modern dishes, which are well-crafted and full of colour and flavour. Go for the tasting menu for the full 1610 experience.
Seacliff, Berrynarbor
Commanding views of the cliffs and the bay are a big part of the draw of this smart restaurant, located at the front of the long-standing, family-run Sandy Cove Hotel. The food is more than a match for the view, however, with modern techniques and local ingredients combining to make colourful, flavourful dishes like ‘Lundy lobster, saffron aioli, Devon crab, braised fennel, bouillabaisse’ or ‘cod, cauliflower with fennel, brown shrimp beurre noisette, samphire’. If you’re celebrating, look no further than the tasting menu, which comes with matching wines.
Rattle Owl, York
Chef Tom Heywood seems to have found his niche at this quirky spot set on a cobbled street within the city walls, where he showcases the finest Yorkshire ingredients – including some foraged by the team – in original, exciting combinations packed with bold flavours. Come at 1pm, Thursday to Saturday, to enjoy a 4 or 8 course lunch. Sunday sees a roast, and there’s a real buzz here in the evenings (Wed-Sat), when you should ask for a table on the first floor and try out the organic wine pairings. Friendly service completes the picture.
Arkle, Chester
While Simon Radley held a Michelin Star at the Chester Grosvenor Hotel for many years, 2022 marks a new chapter in its history, with Chester native Elliot Hill newly installed behind the stoves. The restaurant not only has a new name but also a new look, which blends modernity with the luxury and elegance for which this landmark spot is known. The tasting menu highlights the best seasonal British produce, be that Scottish lobster or Herdwick lamb from the Lake District, and dishes are tasty, modern and well-presented.
Apricity, Mayfair, London
Chef owner Chantelle Nicholson, formerly of Tredwells, is now settled into her new home just yards from Oxford Street. Her strong sustainability ethos extends far beyond kitchen practices to also include the design and decoration of the restaurant and even the staff uniforms. As expected, the menu focuses on seasonal British ingredients from small producers; vegetarians will find themselves with plenty of choice. Service is unfailingly sunny and the atmosphere, warm and unhurried.
Discover which restaurants were previously added to the Great Britain & Ireland Guide, in the months of March, April, May, June, July and August…
