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passion fruit ice. Subtler but equally dazzling

dishes include Rioja-braised snails with razor

clams, charred lettuce and Stilton, slabs of

belted Galloway beef with 'sticks and stones'.

For afters, it has to be Manchester tart.

12 The Kitchin

78 Commercial Quay, Leith, Edinburgh,

EH6 6LX; 0131 555 1755 ££ [8]

Culinary thrills galore on the waterfront

Following refurbishment, Tom Kitchin's

Michelin-starred restaurant is back with a

private dining room, temperature-controlled

wine cellar and whisky snug. 'From nature

to plate' remains the mantra and Kitchin's

"peerless cooking" is based on seasonal

Scottish produce, think boned, rolled pig's

head served with roasted Tobermory

langoustine and crispy ear salad. To   nish, try

the exquisite strawberry and basil mille-feuille

with basil ice cream. The chef's "creative yet

accessible" approach is appreciated, as are his

"simply brilliant staŠ ".

13 Restaurant

Mark Greenaway

69 North Castle Street, Old Town, Edinburgh,

EH1 3JT; 0131 226 1155 ££ NEW ENTRY

Innovative food from an Edinburgh hero

Chef Mark Greenaway and partner Nicola Jack

are now ensconced in a beautiful Georgian

building in Edinburgh's Old Town. Greenaway

wows punters with his constantly changing

menus and superbly presented dishes ("art

on a plate", thought one fan). You might   nd

venison carpaccio with soused tomatoes,

tomato tartare and Parmesan snow ahead of

monk  sh in Parma ham with crispy chicken

wings, baby turnips, con  t carrots and brown

butter jus. Desserts include a 'jam jar' of

lemon curd, rice pudding, jelly and ice cream.

14 Paul Ainsworth

at No 6

6 Middle Street, Padstow, Cornwall, PL28 8AP;

01841 532093 ££ [7]

Stellar cooking from a Cornish contender

Chef Paul Ainsworth took a risk when he

pitched up in Rick Stein's Padstow, but is

now a "serious contender to the local foodie

throne". His Georgian terraced house ticks all

the right boxes, from its elegant interior and

dedicated staŠ to its fashionable Michelinstarred

cooking. Inspired dishes include raw

scallops with kimchi-style cabbage and

Gentleman's Relish, and local hogget with

merguez roll, yeast-glazed celery root and

garlic. Dessert could bring a contemporary riŠ

on Cornish triš e with saŠ ron (c.1596).

15 Sticky Walnut

11 Charles Street, Hoole, Cheshire,

CH2 3AZ; 01244 400400 £ NEW ENTRY

O¢ eat eatery from a sparky young chef

Dreamed up by funky young chef Gary Usher,

the Sticky Walnut is "the de  nition of a local

high-street restaurant". Gary "puts his heart

into the business", with "reasonably priced"

food that absorbs inš uences from the Med

and beyond. The eponymous nut pops up in

salads, breads and suchlike, while the menu

spans everything from Jersey royals with

octopus and orange to roast duck breast with

char-grilled Hispi cabbage, hazelnut purée

and caramelised peaches. Informal service

hits just the right note.

16 Mr Cooper's House

& Garden

The Midland Hotel, 16 Peter Street, Manchester,

M60 2DS; 0161 937 7092 £ NEW ENTRY

Northern star Simon Rogan goes casual

As well as taking over the French restaurant,

Simon Rogan has revamped the Midland

Hotel's in-house brasserie. The result is a

casual eatery named after a local gent whose

house and renowned gardens occupied the

site in Victorian times. Today's visitors rave

about the venue's "fantastic layout" and

"great seasonal food" - a host of globally

inspired dishes ranging from buttermilk fried

oysters with kimchi purée, pear and pickled

fennel to sage-crusted pork chop with

green beans and creamy tofu. "Very friendly,

professional staŠ " are the icing on the cake.

1 Iberico World Tapas Nottingham 2 The Leaping Hare Suffolk

3 Simpsons Birmingham 4 The Swan at Lavenham Suffolk

5 Turners Restaurant Birmingham

5 More Reader Favourites...

MIDLANDS � EAST from Square Meal's 2015 reader survey

Casamia, Bristol: The

food is unique, but

respects tradition and

the service is tip top.

My favourite dish is

the broccoli and blue

cheese tart.

The Seahorse,

Dartmouth: My favourite UK

seafood restaurant. Super fresh fish

cooked over coals with great sauces.

Tolcarne Inn, Newlyn: Short, reassuring

menu and a fantastic Sunday lunch. Well

worth the travel for great seafood dishes.

NATHAN OUTLAW,

RESTAURANT NATHAN OUTLAW

Casamia, Bristol:

food is unique, but

respects tradition and

the service is tip top.

My favourite dish is

the broccoli and blue

cheese tart.

The Seahorse,

Dartmouth: My favourite UK

Chef's favourites

Restaurant Mark Greenaway

Restaurant Nathan Outlaw