Attended by the world’s best chefs, leading hoteliers and outstanding restaurateurs, the AA Hospitality Awards is a highlight in the industry calendar.
This year’s awards event was hosted at Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel, London on 25th September 2017, after a panel of judges spent the last year travelling the country to sample the nation’s best pubs, restaurants and hotels.
The award ceremony evening also marks the release of the 2018 editions of the AA Hotel Guide and the AA Best Restaurant Guide. Included in the guide will be the following North East and North Yorkshire restaurants that have won three or four Rosettes this year.
House of Tides, Newcastle-upon-Tyne – Awarded Four Rosettes
“Kenny Atkinson is one of the country’s prime exponents of the modern British style, his skills and ingenuity spread liberally over seasonally changing seven-course tasting menus that are full of dynamic appeal.
This is food that doesn’t pull any punches, but delivers exactly where it should, on the palate.
The winter journey may begin with a Lindisfarne oyster intuitively matched with cucumber, ginger and caviar, with stops along the way for a voguish partnership of sea bass with a chicken wing and artichoke purée, and dry-aged Goosnargh duck with apple and parsnip, to arrive at its final dark chocolate destination, amid garnishes of banana, lime and meringue.” – AA
The Orangery at Rockliffe Hall, Darlington – Awarded Four Rosettes
“Richard Allen heads up the team to deliver a contemporary 9-course tasting menu, plus veggie, pescetarian and 4-course à la carte options.
Local produce and seasonality is key, some of it foraged from Rockliffe’s 365-acre estate, and it’s all presented in imaginative juxtapositions of flavour, texture and temperature.
Pigeon breast with various forms of broccoli, chickpea dhal, and fig and ginger jam is a dish full of creative flair and sound judgement; likewise Staithes Village crab mayonnaise, butter-poached potato and spring beauty sprigs.” – AA
Horto Restaurant at Rudding Park, Harrogate – Awarded Three Rosettes
“Latin for kitchen garden, Horto uses seasonal ingredients from Rudding Park Kitchen Garden. The menu is dictated by nature, the skill of the Gardener and the flair of the Chef.
The dining experience offers an a la carte menu and tasting menu which change on a regular basis. If the tasting menu is selected, guests are encouraged to resist the temptation to look at the menu and discover the dishes and taste sensations as they go.
Chefs and waiters interact to create a friendly and relaxed ambience.” – Horto
The Coach House at Middleton Lodge, Middleton Tyas – Awarded Three Rosettes
“At the heart of Middleton Lodge, an expansive Georgian country estate not far from Richmond, The Coach House is a restaurant with rooms in the modern style.
Its continuing development extends to the current planning of a 2.5-acre kitchen garden, due to come on stream in 2018.
Inside, well-spaced chunky wood tables and shelves displaying ornamental glassware beneath a beamed ceiling are the setting for a Yorkshire menu influenced by the bounty of the local countryside. Dishes are pleasingly based in British culinary tradition, with modern flourishes in the form of wild ingredients and eye-catching presentation.” – AA
