| Mountsorrel’s John’s House has featured in the Top 100 Best Restaurants in the UK as decided by diners in the 33rd edition of the Harden’s guide, one of only two surviving established UK restaurant guides made available in print, and the only one based on feedback from normal diners rather than a group of professional inspectors. A total of 30,000 reports are submitted from a survey of 2,500 diners. Restaurants at all price levels are included: from street food vendors to the country’s most ambitious dining rooms, with 2,800 restaurants listed in total. John’s House on-site farm which enables diners to have a wander before or after their meal was noted with Harden’s Guide saying: “John Duffin’s family-owned venue uses produce from the surrounding property where he grew up (and you can also stay in one of his family’s converted cottages). A renowned culinary spark in part of the Midlands with a dearth of decent eateries, all reports applaud it as a “gem with superb food” and “such friendly staff”. Nearby Hambleton Hall also returned to the list for a consecutive year with Chef Director Aaron Patterson still at the helm after a remarkable three decades of service. The “quintessential country house” – Tim & Steffa Hart’s fine property provides “stunning views” and is considered “pleasantly old fashioned” which is intrinsic to its charm. “A perfect setting in which to enjoy a significant occasion, with magnificent service and a glorious setting” plus a “varied and well-chosen wine list, backed up by the excellent Dominique Baduel (Sommelier)”. Peter Harden, co-founder of Harden’s, comments: “Hambleton Hall has very much become a regular fixture of the Top 100 owing to the consistency of the high quality food provided by Aaron Patterson in his 30 plus years of service. It’s good to see Leicestershire lad John Duffin’s family-owned eatery making an appearance and being recognised for his use of high quality, local, seasonal produce that you can almost watch growing outside as you eat.” You can read the reviews as an app, in guidebook format, and also at www.hardens.com. |
LEICESTERSHIRE RESTAURANTS VOTED IN THE TOP 100
