Gidleigh Park voted best restaurant in Top 100 list

22nd January 2010, 9:59am

Online restaurant reservation service, toptable.com, has announced Gidleigh Park winner of the ‘Top Diner Rated’ award.

The two Michelin-starred restaurant earned rave reviews from toptable members for its 'amazing' food, 'faultless' service and 'stunning' location. Several toptable foodies agreed that they had eaten their 'best meal ever' at Gidleigh Park Restaurant.

Gidleigh Park's executive chef, Michael Caines, said: "I am delighted that we have been nominated so often in these awards. It is always satisfying to receive recognition and praise, but it is particularly gratifying that the impartial views and ratings of toptable users, our diners, have positioned us so highly."

Gidleigh Park earned a hat trick of prizes, winning top place in the categories 'Best for Romance' and 'Best Over £45'.

Another Michael Caines restaurant, Abode in Exeter, was voted fourth in the 'Celebrity Chefs' category, just above Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester in London and Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley.

toptable CEO Karen Hanton said: "It's exciting to observe the development of chefs and restaurants through the prism of the Top 100 Restaurant list. Last year's winner in the Hidden Gems category, The Case Restaurant with Rooms in Sudbury, Suffolk, was voted runner-up in both the Top Diner Rated and Best Value categories this year – well earned recognition for the advances they have achieved.

"Michel Roux Jr and Le Gavroche won second place in the Celebrity Chef category, bracketed by Martin Wishart in Edinburgh in first place and Brian Maule of the Chardon d'Or in Glasgow in third, and both Martin and Brian trained under Michel Roux Jr for many years.

"Likewise, Shane Osbourne of Pied a Terre in London has come in just one place below Tom Aikens in London – Shane was once Tom's sous chef.

"It's also hugely important for the British food scene that so many winners are outside the capital and even beyond major metropolitan areas. We may have been called a nation of shopkeepers once, but in the 21st century Britain has become a nation of diners who really recognise and appreciate a good dining experience."

The 'Hidden Gems' category is the list where local treasures are unveiled, with top spot going to Kendells Bistro in Leeds - also top restaurant 'Under £25'.

The awards reveal that the most searched for cuisine at toptable is Italian, followed by Indian and French, suggesting that we are also a nation of pasta and curry lovers.

Related Articles:

• 09 May 2011 - Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines launches new college academy

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