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12 The Sportsman

Faversham Road, Seasalter, Kent,

CT5 4BP; 01227 273370 £ [25]

Serious food in a dressed-down boozer

Overlooking the bleak Kent marshes, this

shabby-chic boozer is home to Michelinstarred

gastro maverick Stephen Harris

- famed for his self-su› cient cred and

full-on cooking. The menu is chalked on a

blackboard, orders are placed at the bar and

service is cheerfully informal. Brilliant breads

set the tone, while  sh is as fresh as can be.

13 Midsummer House

Midsummer Common, Cambridge,

CB4 1HA; 01223 369299 ££ [11]

Dazzlingly creative cooking by the river

"A beautiful haven of comfort and isolation",

this Victorian villa is serenity itself - complete

with a conservatory dining room overlooking

the walled garden. Now into his second

decade as chef/patron, Daniel Cli ord

continues to deliver direct, unabashed

­ avours and distilled freshness - think stone

bass with razor clams, cucumber, wasabi

and sorrel. As be ts a two-Michelin-starred

kitchen, fabulous desserts are a joy to behold.

14 André Garrett

at Cliveden

Cliveden House, Taplow, Maidenhead, Berkshire,

SL6 0JF; 01628 668561 £££ NEW ENTRY

Impressive food in a lavish country pile

Country houses don't come much more

extravagant than this ­ amboyant Italianate

mansion, but Cliveden is also regaining its

reputation as a dream ticket for gustatory

satisfaction - thanks to the arrival of London

chef André Garrett. His contemporary French

cuisine is "guided by the seasons", whether it's

a superb roast game consommé topped with

Jerusalem artichoke cream or a voguish take

on classic sole Véronique. "You can still turn

up without a jacket and tie," notes one reader.

15 The French by

Simon Rogan

The Midland Hotel, 16 Peter Street, Manchester,

M60 2DS; 0161 236 3333 £££ [8]

Cumbrian star's Mancunian debut

It may have (controversially) missed out on

a Michelin star, but this is a must-visit for

Mancunians and Londoners alike. Rogan's

henchman Adam Reid delivers "intensely

pleasurable" food in his master's image:

smoked cod with pickled mushrooms,

marrow and garlic; Yorkshire rhubarb with

crab apple, Douglas  r, oats and yoghurt.

The verdict? "A perfect balance between

deliciousness and innovation."

16 The Walnut Tree

Llanddewi Skirrid, Monmouthshire,

NP7 8AW; 01873 852797 ££ [13]

A Welsh icon that's back on £ ne form

We've always had great a ection for The

Walnut Tree and applaud what Shaun Hill

has brought to the party, winning back

its Michelin star and regaining a loyal

following - particularly among those who

appreciate honest, intelligent food in no-frills

surroundings. Cracking set lunches are a

bargain, while à la carte is "expertly balanced".

About me: I love

finding hidden gems

in Glasgow (and

beyond) and sharing

them, whether they

be restaurants, bars,

places or products.

girlaroundglasgow.

wordpress.com

Favourite restaurant: La Lanterna,

Glasgow. Luca's award-winning food

never fails - from homemade risottos

and ravioli to steaks. The restaurant has

old-school charm, a fantastic wine list

and the staff treat you like old friends.

"AMAZING

RESTAURANT,

PURE CLASS"

EDWARD

FITZPATRICK ON

ANDRE GARRETT

Blogger favourite

LAURA SIMPSON,

GIRL AROUND GLASGOW

About me:

finding hidden gems

in Glasgow (and

beyond) and sharing

them, whether they

be restaurants, bars,

places or products.

girlaroundglasgow.

wordpress.com

"BEAUTIFUL FOOD"

SUSIE TRAVERS ON THE FRENCH

1 Clarkes Peterborough 2 The Company Shed West Mersea, Essex

3 The Jews House Lincoln 4 Titchwell Manor Brancaster, Norfolk

5 Turners Restaurant Birmingham

5 More Reader Favourites...

MIDLANDS � EAST from Square Meal's 2014 reader survey

Midsummer House