Eat Well with Michelin

Drinking and driving may not be a sensible combination but pubs and tyre manufacturers seem to go well together. Michelin has launched the 2008 edition of its Eating Out in Pubs guide. Priced at £14.99, this year’s guide includes 564 of the best pubs serving good food in the UK and Ireland – and of these, 76 are new additions.

The guide is divided into counties and regions and each is preceded by a brief overview of that area followed by a map showing the location of each pub. Every pub has a full-page entry with a colour picture and descriptive text giving an insight into its character. Other essential information includes opening times, directions, prices, typical dishes and the beer they serve.

All the pubs in the guide have been selected for the quality of their cooking. However, a number of them deserve a special mention as they boast at least one extra quality that makes them particularly special. This could be the delightful setting, the charm and character, the excellent service, the overall value for money offered or the exceptional cooking. To distinguish these pubs we highlight them with our ‘we most liked’ Bibendum stamp.

Commenting on the continuing rise in pub food standards, Derek Bulmer, the guide’s editor said “cooking in British pubs has reached new heights and there is a huge choice available to diners. Some pubs are taking the organic route with the help of small, local suppliers while others focus on regional specialities and long-established local recipes. Some serve creative, contemporary cooking with more of an international flavour, but equally there are plenty of places offering traditional British favourites’.

A full list of the pubs in this year’s guide can be downloaded at www.michelin.co.uk.