Seven Cumbrian restaurants have been named among the top 100 restaurants in the UK.
SquareMeal has released its prestigious list, which excludes London restaurants, this week.
The list is compiled using a combination of thousands of reader votes and expert insight from SquareMeal’s critics.
Restaurants are judged on far more than food, with consideration given to service, interiors, drinks, sustainability and overall ethos.
L’Enclume came in at number five, the Old Stamp House in Ambleside was 23rd, Heft in Newton in Cartmel was 29th, Forest Side at Grasmere was at 61, Cottage in the Wood at Whinlatter, near Keswick, was 62nd, Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai at Farlam Hall, near Brampton was at 73 and Henrock at Linthwaite House in Bowness-in-Windermere was at 94.
Simon Rogan’s Umbel Hospitality Group runs L’Enclume and Henrock.
Skof, in Manchester and run by Barrow-born chef Tom Barnes, is also part of the group. It was second in the top 100.
Sam Ward, managing director of Umbel Hospitality Group, added: “We’re incredibly proud to see three of our North West restaurants recognised in this year’s SquareMeal UK Top 100.
“Skof’s ranking is a remarkable achievement, and alongside the continued success of L’Enclume and Henrock, it reflects the passion, creativity and dedication of our teams across the region.
“Our London outpost, Aulis, also performed exceptionally, ranking number nine in SquareMeal’s London list. I’d like to thank everyone across Umbel for their continued hard work and commitment.”
Ryan Blackburn, chef-owner of the Old Stamp House, said: “It’s a real honour to be included in the UK Top 100, especially for the first time.
“To be recognised alongside restaurants we admire from across the country is incredibly humbling and a real credit to the whole team.
“I’d like to thank them, our brilliant suppliers who make what we do possible, and our guests for joining us on an unforgettable journey around Cumbria.”
Kevin and Nicola Tickle, co-owners of Heft, said: “Awards like this benchmark where you’re at and help you develop as a business.
“Being listed in SquareMeal’s UK Top 100 for the third year in a row is pretty special. We all work incredibly hard, and sometimes you lose sight of that.
“That’s why awards like this are important – they make you take a step back and take the time to celebrate as a team. I’m sure we’ll have a beer or two and then crack on and keep pushing again.
“We think we’ve struck a good balance for our pub goers and our fine dining customers, and being ranked in both the Estrella Top UK Top 50 Gastropubs and SquareMeal UK top 100 restaurant list validates that hard work.’’
Jack and Beth Bond, co-owners of Cottage in the Wood, said: “Being listed in SquareMeal’s Top 100 UK Restaurants for the second year in a row is huge for us.
“It recognises the hard work and dedication of the entire team and reflects what we continually strive to deliver for our guests. To be included in such a respected list is incredibly rewarding for everyone involved.”
