The Lighthouse wins Bib Gourmand

Lino and Sarah Poli’s Lighthouse restaurant in Kibworth Beauchamp has been awarded a Bib Gourmand in 2014 Michelin Guide just a few months after opening.

The restaurant, formerly run as the fine dining Italian venue Firenze, was relaunched earlier this year as a predominantly seafood restaurant. It now offers British classics such potted shrimps and fish and chips with homemade mushy peas, together with Mediterranean dishes such as nicoise salad with griddled swordfish.

Sarah Poli told Great Food that the award, which recognises good food at affordable prices in relaxed surroundings, affirmed they had done the right thing by relaunching: “It’s ironic that after 14 years at the fine dining end of things it seemed we were close to a star, but it never happened. Restaurants are there for their customers, not the critics, but equally it’s all always nice to get accolades,” she continued. “The new restaurant has been received really well, and our other location Boboli is also doing well, so we’re delighted.”

Elsewhere in the guide Sat Bains retained his two stars for his Nottingham restaurant, while Fischer’s at Baslow Hall in Derbyshire and Hambleton Hall in Rutland kept their single stars.

The Lighthouse, Boboli, Fischer’s and Hambleton Hall are all part of our Great Food Club network.