Region’s Michelin guide winners

The 2011 Michelin Guide was launched on January 19.

So who from Leicestershire, Rutland and nearby appears in the highly respected tome, which this year is celebrating its centenary? Great Food has digested the info and here’s the distilled information…

Best places to eat in the whole of Leicestershire & Rutland according to Michelin’s team of anonymous inspectors are the Olive Branch of Clipsham (and their adjacent B&B Beech House), and Hambleton Hall of Hambleton, Rutland Water. Both were awarded a single Michelin star.

To put that into perspective, 123 establishments in the UK and Ireland have one star; 16 have two stars; four, including Heston’s Fat Duck in Bray, have three stars.

Awarded a prestigious Bib Gourmand (‘good food at moderate prices’) were the Red Lion of Stathern and Jim’s Yard of Stamford.

Those given ‘particularly pleasant’ pub or hotel status by Michelin were The Pheasant of Keyston, Cambs; the Brownlow Arms, Hough on the Hill, Lincs; and Harry’s Place, Great Gonerby, Lincs. This trio clearly fall just outside Rutland & Leics but are within an evening’s drive of most of Great Food‘s readership.

Beyond that, 32 other local hotels, pubs and restaurants are listed in the 2011 guide, which means, according to Michelin inspectors, that they serve good food and/or offer impressive levels of comfort.

Appearing in the guide full stop is a fine achievement, but special congratulations should go those awarded a star or Bib Gourmand.

Here’s the full list for the region. Scroll down and click on the links to be taken to their individual websites:

ONE MICHELIN STAR
Olive Branch
Hambleton Hall

Hambleton Hall

Olive Branch head chef Sean Hope

BIB GOURMAND
Red Lion, Stathern
Jim’s Yard, Stamford

The Red Lion, Stathern

Jim’s Yard, Stamford

————-

OTHER EATERIES LISTED FOR 2011

VALE OF BELVOIR & JUST BEYOND
Brownlow Arms, Hough on the Hill – particularly pleasant restaurant
Harry’s Place, Great Gonerby – particularly pleasant restaurant
The Gregory, Harlaxton – good pub food
Chequers, Woolsthorpe By Belvoir – good pub food
Langar Hall, Langar – comfortable hotel
Martin’s Arms, Colston Bassett – good pub food

LEICESTER
Marriott Hotel, Leicester – top-class comfort
Boot Room, Leicester – quite comfortable
Hotel Maiyango, Leicester – comfortable hotel
Belmont Hotel, Leicester – very comfortable

STAMFORD
The George, Stamford – very comfortable hotel
The Crown, Stamford – comfortable hotel
Collyweston Slater, Collyweston – good pub food

MELTON
Stapleford Park Hotel, Stapleford – top class comfort

RUTLAND
Barnsdale Lodge, Oakham – comfortable hotel
Exeter Arms, Barrowden – good pub food
Finch’s Arms, Hambleton – good pub food
Old White Hart, Lyddington – good pub food
Lake Isle, Uppingham – comfortable restaurant

LOUGHBOROUGH & NW LEICS
Queen’s Head, Belton – good pub food
Woodhouse, Woodhouse Eaves – comfortable restaurant
Three Horseshoes, Breedon on the Hill – good pub food

SOUTH LEICS
Joiner’s Arms, Bruntingthorpe – good pub food
Baker’s Arms, Thorpe Langton – good pub food
Firenze, Kibworth Beauchamp – comfortable restaurant
Kilworth House Hotel, North Kilworth – top-class comfort
Boboli, Kibworth Harbourt – quite comfortable restaurant

NORTHANTS & CAMBS
The Falcon, Fotheringhay – good pub food
Crown Inn, Elton – good pub food
Pheasant, Keyston – particularly pleasant pub
Village Bar at the Bell Inn, Stilton – good pub food

RECOMMENDED GUESTHOUSES
Horseshoe Cottage Farm, Cropston
Leathermill Grange, Caldecote
Kegworth House, Kegworth
Homestead House, Medbourne

WHAT MICHELIN WROTE ABOUT THE BEST

Hambleton Hall
“Looking over Rutland Water, a beautiful Victorian manor house with gardens, still run by its founding family. Charming period interiors and immaculate, antique filled bedrooms. Cooking is confident and continues to evolve; it is based on classic techniques but with modern touches.”

Olive Branch & Beech House
“Characterful, rustic pub with charming garden, which really captures the heart of the local community. Well-prepared, classically based dishes are flavoursome and robust, and display plenty of respect for fresh, local ingredients. Stylish bedrooms include a host of extras and the homemade breakfasts are a delight.”

Red Lion, Stathern
“Menus offer straightforward cooking and refined pub classics with the odd international twist. Produce is sourced from their allotment and local suppliers.”

Jim’s Yard, Stamford
“Two 18^th century houses in a courtyard: conservatory or first-floor dining options. Smart tableware enhances enjoyment of great value menus employing well-executed, classic cooking.”

Stapleford Park, Stapleford
“Astoundingly beautiful stately home in 500 glorious acres, exuding a grandeur rarely surpassed.”

The George, Stamford
“Historic inn, over 900 years old. Crusading knights stayed here en route to Jerusalem. Walled garden and courtyard and 17^th century mulberry tree. Original bedrooms; designer décor. Oak panelled dining room exudes elegance. Garden Room boasts leafy courtyard.”

Thanks to Michelin for their permission to publish this. To buy the new Michelin Guide, click here.