Three Lancashire establishments have been included in the SquareMeal Top 100 UK restaurants list.
Moor Hall in Aughton came in 5th place, placing higher than the other North West restaurants that feature.
Northcote in Langho ranked 19th place while Parkers Arms in Newton-in-Bowland came in at 66th place.
SquareMeal is the UK’s leading independent restaurant guide and deliberately excludes London restaurants to allow venues from around the UK to be recognised.
Speaking about the list SquareMeal said: “Each of the top 100 results are a unique combination of our own in-house critic-led opinions and thousands of diner votes.
Find every single restaurant in our Top 100 Restaurants in the UK 2023 right here!
— SquareMeal (@SquareMeal) January 17, 2023
A HUGE congratulations to one and all👏 🎉
➡️ https://t.co/Fp5Ua5GmZ2#SMTop100UK pic.twitter.com/pSHhrGw3Oo
“It’s this dual approach that makes our list incomparable, representing not only our professional opinion but thousands of real-life experiences that help to reinforce and bolster our final decisions.”
The full Top 100 list can be viewed over at the SquareMeal website.
What did SquareMeal say about Moor Hall?
SquareMeal wrote: “Previously executive chef at two-Michelin-starred L'Enclume, Mark Birchall has brought his own distinctive style to this restaurant-with-rooms housed within a historic 16th-century manor house. Champagne and canapés served next to an open fire in a wood-panelled lounge set the historic scene, but the dining room couldn’t look any more up-to-date.”
It has also been well-reviewed on Tripadvisor, earning a 5/5 rating from 643 reviews.
A lot of Moor Hall’s produce is sourced close to home, SquareMeal added: “Much of the restaurant’s produce is grown on the five-acre estate or sourced locally – Aughton sits in the middle of some of the most fertile farmland in the country – and the result is two tasting menus showcasing Birchall’s innovation and formidable talents.”
What did SquareMeal say about Parkers Arms?
SquareMeal wrote: “Surrounded by Lancashire’s finest scenery, this picturesque country inn with rooms makes a welcome retreat with its relaxed dining space, sunny beer garden and roaring fire. Chef Stosie Madi and her business partner Kathy Smith are the brains behind this award-winning gastropub, having taken over the site in January of 2007. The pair undertook a full refurbishment of the venue, eventually reopening the doors in its current iteration in December of 2009.”
Parkers Arms has also impressed reviewers on Tripadvisor, earning a four star rating from 687 reviews.
Food such as the restaurant’s signature pies of the day, spiced ginger pudding and 70% baked Valrhona chocolate mousse slice topped with cultured cream were all praised.
SquareMeal recommended the restaurant, writing: “Add warm, friendly service, skilled cooking and the beautiful location into the mix, and this handsome country pub is well worth the trip.”
What did SquareMeal say about Northcote?
SquareMeal wrote: “A comfortable country house hotel on the edge of the Ribble Valley, Northcote has held a Michelin star for over two decades. And while there’s no mistaking you’re in traditional fine-dining territory here, fans appreciate the restaurant’s snow-white cloths and sparkling glassware as a sign of reassurance for the professionalism of the experience to come.”
On Tripadvisor, Northcote has impressed visitors, earning a 4.5 rating from 1,637 reviews.
The restaurant was praised for its food such as “a photogenic dish of fat, sweet scarlet prawns with wild-garlic foam and beurre blanc sauce” which was “a technically perfect rendition.”
SquareMeal added: “Further attractions include a chef’s table, a cookery school, afternoon tea, regular wine evenings and Obsession, which sees some of the UK’s most famous chefs each take over the kitchen for a night for two weeks at the end of January. Tickets sell out fast, as too the 26 individually designed bedrooms.”
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