The National Restaurant Awards 2013 results

Photo credit: http://www.10greekstreet.com/

The annual National Restaurant Awards, hosted by Restaurant magazine, were announced this week.

The awards recognise and celebrate the 100 best places to eat out in the UK, as voted for by industry experts.

Wine List of the Year was awarded to 10 Greek Street, Soho, London, to which I must hot foot it soon, especially since the lovely Martin Lam of now sadly closed Ransomes Dock has sung its praises.

Good to see Chefs’ Chef of the Year go to Stephen Harris, The Sportsman, Seasalter, Kent. We had the most amazing lunch there – own bread, own butter, own salt even! How great was their salt caramel mousse!!!!

Sustainable Restaurant of the Year went to Grain Store, Kings Cross, London, which I checked out this summer. The focus on vegetables suited me down to the ground (pardon the pun), as did their eclectic, not the usual suspects wine list.

There would also seem to be a trend in high end dining in former town halls. I recently wrote up an interview with Nuno Mendes, Chef/Patron of Michelin-starred & top 100 restaurant Viajante (here). This year’s award for Highest New Entry went to The Clove Club, Shoreditch, London, which is based in the former Shoreditch town hall. I notice they offer a vegetarian menu, so another one for the to dine list.

As for the Best Restaurant gongs:

National Restaurant of the Year and Gastropub of the Year – The Hand & Flowers, Marlow, Buckinghamshire

Best Restaurant in Scotland – The Kitchin, Leith, Edinburgh

Best Restaurant in Wales – The Hardwick, Abergavenney

Best Restaurant in Northern Ireland – Shu, Belfast

And click here for this year’s list of the 100 best places to eat out in the UK. Good to see it features Bristol neighbourhood restaurant and staunch supporter of Portuguese wines Flinty Red.