Lympstone Manor has been ranked by Square Meal as the 38th-best restaurant in the UK.
Every year Square Meal releases a list of the top restaurants in the UK. It’s a chance for them to shout about the best of the best in both emerging and established culinary roles and celebrate the chefs and hospitality teams.
Lympstone Manor was 38th in the list, receiving a gold award, which is compiled through a combination of reader votes and reviews by SquareMeal's own critics.
Critics said: "An experience like this comes at a price – £225 a head for the food alone – but you get to walk away knowing you‘ve experienced cooking from one of the greatest chefs of our time."
The listing reads: "Michael’s signature eight-course menu comprises some of his most iconic dishes. A soft langoustine tail served in its own bisque mingles with the umami richness of truffle cream, and is followed by butter-smooth duck liver pate offset by tangy pickled daikon and crunchy hazelnuts. The highest note of all was a dish made entirely of bass notes; a crimson medallion of venison paired with sweet chestnut puree, a viscose red wine jus and red cabbage which had been reduced to the most deliciously sweet and vinegary puree. More joy is found around every corner; a smart square of tangy blue cheese served with sweet quince puree, truffle honey and a trio of homemade crackers is the sort of crowd-pleasing dish more menus should include.
"Wine plays a major role in dining at Lympstone, and if the 600-bin list makes you feel giddy, a curated wine pairing guides you through an exciting array of bottles, including a couple from Lympstone’s very own vineyard."
SquareMeal’s restaurants editor Pete Dreyer said: "Restaurants never cease to amaze us - every year we're blown away by talented teams, who always seem to find new, innovative ways to push the boundaries of food.
'As always we're so grateful to everyone who works in hospitality, and we're forever in awe of the passion and love that goes into restaurants up and down the country. A huge thank you also to the thousands upon thousands who voted to support their favourite restaurants this year."
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