SOME of the best restaurants in the UK are just a short journey from Runcorn and Widnes – 30 minutes and you could be enjoying top quality food that’s out of this world.
SquareMeal – a well-known restaurant, bar and venue website – has announced its top 100 restaurants in the UK.
They have recognised the best of the best in both emerging and established culinary venues and celebrated chefs and hospitality teams going above and beyond to give diners top class experiences.
Pine
Top spot in this year’s Top 100 UK Restaurants list goes to Pine in Northumberland – a renovated cow barn run by chefs Cal Byerley and Ian Waller.
You might have seen Cal appearing on this week’s North East and Yorkshire heat of BBC One’s Great British Menu.
The talented pair embrace boundless creativity and techniques from all over the world to create exciting new flavours and dishes.
L'Enclume
Three-Michelin-starred L’Enclume in Cartmel owned by Simon Rogan came seventh in the ranking and this is about 90 minutes from Warrington – but well worth the drive if you can get a table.
A spokesperson for SquareMeal said: “We say it every year, but this year truly must have presented the highest calibre of restaurants yet.
“Whittling down the UK’s burgeoning dining scene into just 100 top spots was an excruciating job that took months of planning and deliberation.
“Despite incredibly tough economic circumstances, our homegrown hospitality professionals have overcome it all and managed to deliver top-class experiences for diners, with flair, ingenuity and individuality.”
Seven of the best UK restaurants within half an hour or Runcorn and Widnes:
Moor Hall
Moor Hall restaurant with rooms, Prescot Road, Aughton, Lancashire
Mark Birchall continues to blaze a trail at Moor Hall with unique tasting menus powered by innovation and incredible talent.
Much of the restaurant’s produce is grown on the five-acre estate and almost everything is produced in house from bread and beer to dairy and charcuterie.
Higher Ground
Higher Ground, New York Street, Manchester
Ideally located in Manchester city centre, Higher Ground is the British bistro showcasing everything the UK has to offer.
Changing the menu based on seasonality, you can always expect a creative selection of dishes showcasing ingredients from land and sea.
The Barn at Moor Hall
The Barn at Moor Hall, Prescot Road, Aughton
This venue is more relaxed than the flagship Moor Hall but the attention to detail, conscientious service and top-class produce remain, making this a good way to experience some of the Moor Hall magic with the price tag.
Northcote
Northcote, Northcote Road, Langho, Lancashire
A fine example of how brilliant hotel restaurants can be.
Michelin-starred Northcote is led by the highly-talented Lisa Goodwin Allen where she focuses on bringing British produce and dishes up to date.
Erst
Erst, Murray Street, Manchester
Erst deals in the kind of fare that is made for impressing diners.
The smart natural wines and stylish small plates lend themselves equally as well to dates as group dinners.
Manifest
Manifest, Watkinson Street, Liverpool
Setting up in a Baltic Quarter warehouse, Manifest sounds a little chilly but is anything but.
There’s clever British cooking and carefully sourced wines, which are served with warmth and generosity.
10 Tib Lane
10 Tib Lane, Manchester
Devoid of any unnecessary gimmicks and tricks, 10 Tib Lane is assertive and refreshingly uncomplicated.
This seasonal sharing plates and natural wine bar marrying traditional sensibilities and contemporary flair offers a revitalised dining experience.
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