Winner
Chosen by our judges:
Orbis, Stamford, Lincolnshire
Shortlist
The top public vote-winners:
Orbis, Stamford, Lincolnshire
Dom, Thurlaston, Leicestershire
Ashiana, North Muskham, Nottinghamshire
The Monk, Quorn, Leicestershire
The winner is Orbis of Stamford in Lincolnshire – a stylish restaurant offering an eclectic menu of small plates.
Orbis offers a tempting selection of dishes, from sirloin of Waygu beef with sesame, soy and truffle; to soft-shelled crab with matcha emulsion and XO sauce; and Vietnamese tofu with a chilli and coconut glaze. As a bonus, all the food is gluten-free so coeliacs can order with confidence.
On our visit, Miso stone bass saw exceptionally well-cooked, soft and juicy fillets topped with corn puree and ketchup of red peppers, which complemented but did dominate the fish.
Barbary duck breast comprised elegantly presented slices of meat with a sticky sauce topped with a chiffonade of cucumber and nicely crisped shallots. Probably our favourite dish, and apparently their best-seller, was bang bang cauliflower – lovely, firm florets covered in a thin coating of a gloriously sticky and spicy batter: a simple dish that makes a big impact.
Service was good-humoured and attentive, even down to chasing after us to return a forgotten bag of shopping. Orbis is an all-round classy venue that offers something for everyone.
The other finalists
Dom, Thurlaston, Leicestershire
Dom Restaurant offers a diverse range of world cuisines. Small plates come out when ready, and while the menu leans towards the Mediterranean, there are dishes with influences from Cuba, Mongolia, Thailand and China. Around 40 wines are available by the glass, and cheeses are available individually. There’s a vast amount to discover and enjoy here.
Ashiana, North Muskham, Nottinghamshire
All the classic British curries are here, but that’s not why people come. More unusual dishes at Ashiana come with provenance and a distinct regional character, while the chef’s signature creations include lobster, quail, scallops and duck. Outstanding during our visit were the Hydrabadi kebab and the Bahari Murgh from north of Kolkata. We left wanting to return to try more.
The Monk, Quorn, Leicestershire
We enjoyed The Monk‘s thoughtfully presented plates including a substantial burrata, delightfully creamy and nicely matched with heritage beetroot, tomatoes and a pesto dressing. The terrine of chicken was faultlessly made. The chefs here are dab hands at elevating everyday dishes to something rather special. The Monk is both a destination restaurant and a classy neighbourhood bar.
