The annual Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list, which celebrates talent and excellence in the sector, was announced on Monday. (January 22)
Now in its 15th year, the awards are voted for by an academy of around 350 UK industry experts including gastropub operators, food writers, pub caterers, executive, celebrity and hospitality chefs, pub guide editors, industry chiefs and food operators.
There are also categories for chef of the year, highest new entry, highest climber, sustainable pub of the year, and the ‘one to eatch’.
This year’s top 50 includes The Baring in Islington, The Bull & Last in Highgate Road, Dartmouth Park, The Parakeet in Kentish Town, and The Red Lion & Sun in Highgate.
The Bull & Last has undergone a major refurb in recent years to install hotel rooms and has earned praise for its daily changing seasonal menus with recipes captured in a popular cook book. Alongside Sunday roasts the menu includes seafood bouillabaisse, roast pork belly sandwich with apple sauce, and roasted rainbow trout with trout roe butter sauce.
The pub posted on Instagram ‘Such a nice treat receiving this. Great for all the team, we love being involved. See you all at the awards.’
The Baring in Baring Street takes pride in “cooking simply and sustainably in the heart of Islington”.
Serving up the likes of venison, with creamed kale and beetroot, Cornish gurnard with sauce bouillabaisse and grilled ratte potatoes, and quail shish, garlic yoghurt and pul biber chilli.
The pub posted on Instagram: “Delighted to be included in the @top50gastropubs for the second year in a row. A lot of big players in this field and feeing very humbled to make the list.”
The Parakeet opened in the former Oxford Arms in Kentish Town following a rename and major refurb last March, earning praise for its flavourful cooking over custom-made grills, includng smoked mutton sausage, wood-smoked John Dory and smoked beetroot with pecans.
They posted on Instagram: “Thrilled to be in the @top50gastropubs 🎉
Massive thank you to our amazing team, and lovely regulars who make our pub so wonderful.”
And The Red Lion & Sun in North Road, Highgate has been on the top 50 list since 2016. The independent pub with two beer gardens, wood burning fire, and daily changing menu describes its offer as “rustic modern British pub food” braised shoulder of lamb, roast suckling pig lemon sole fillets and beef cheek and bone marrow pie.
The posted on Instagram: “Maintaining consistency is fundamental to our business, and being included in the prestigious @top50gastropubs list since 2016 highlights our unwavering dedication. It’s a true honour to be recognised alongside some exceptional establishments and talented individuals. Our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation goes out to the industry professionals and experts who voted for us. In the face of the many current challenges, this recognition stands out as a beacon of hope. We extend our deepest thanks for this meaningful acknowledgment during these challenging times.”
https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/24065809.parakeet-bull-last-uks-top-50-gastropubs/
