Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland out now

The wait is over for those hungry to read up on Michelin’s latest gastronomic tips – the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2013 arrives in bookshops today, priced at £14.99 (€16.99 in Ireland). This year’s guide sees three restaurants promoted from one to two Michelin stars. Sketch, in Mayfair, opened in 2002 and received its first Michelin star in 2005; L’Enclume, in Cartmel also opened in 2002 and was awarded its first Michelin star three years later; while Michael Wignall at the Latymer, Bagshot, opened in 2007 and won its first Michelin star in 2009.

“These are three equally worthy recipients of our two star award but each restaurant is very different in nature. Michael Wignall’s cooking offers a distinct sense of sophistication, Jean Denis Le Bras at Sketch has a much more ambitious style, while Simon Rogan’s cooking has steadily evolved and is now much more aligned with nature,” commented guide editor Rebecca Burr.
 
Eighteen restaurants have been awarded one Michelin star. The furthest north is James Close’s Raby Hunt in Summerhouse, Darlington, while the furthest south is Paul Ainsworth at No.6 in Padstow, Cornwall.  There are eight new one star establishments in London.
 
“I am very pleased to reveal that there are two further pubs included in this year’s star awards”, added Burr. Heston Blumenthal’s Hinds Head in Bray, and Guy and Britt Manning’s Red Lion Freehouse in East Chisenbury have received this distinction. “This suggests that the trend for British pubs acknowledging diners as well as drinkers, and striving to raise their standards of cooking, is continuing to move in a positive direction.
 
“There are also two one star additions in Ireland – Locks Brasserie in Dublin and Aniar in Galway. Like the pubs, these two offer fairly simple surroundings and focus their attention where it really matters: on excellent quality food”.
 
There are 39 new Bib Gourmands, 11 of which are in London. The Bib Gourmand recognises restaurants offering particularly good value for money – the current limit being £28 for three courses (€40 in Ireland).
 
“In difficult financial times, establishments awarded a Bib Gourmand have been a real hit with our readers, proving that providing good value for money doesn’t have to mean compromising standards”, Burr concluded.
 
In total, 346 restaurants and 138 hotels have been added to the guide this year; the ‘New’ (N) symbol has been introduced to highlight these establishments.
 
Also published today is the Michelin Guide London 2013, priced at £10.99 (€12.99 in Ireland). This provides extended text on London’s restaurants, with additional photographs and information on all starred establishments. It also includes a selection of London’s best hotels, across all categories of comfort.