Guides and restaurant awards have been published left right and centre over the last month, and therefore it’s time for another All in One Ultimate Restaurant Ranking update. There are the usual risers and fallers, along with 14 brand new entries, with all this movement a clear demonstration that Autumn is a nerve-wracking time for chefs across the capital. The major players, AA and Michelin, have had profound effects on the rankings, however, many other recent awards have also helped shape the list that is on cutting edge of the London restaurant scene.
The highest new entry is Jason Atherton’s Pollen Street Social, at an impressive 8th place. Jason’s flexible approach to fine dining and more importantly his food have been met by wide critical acclaim. Hedone, creation of Swedish lawyer, turned blogger, turned chef, Mikael Jonsson, who’s devotion to sourcing has seemingly paid off. His restaurant has scooped numerous awards and fired them into number 10. This is closely followed by the latest branch of steak specialists Hawksmoor, their Covent Garden branch is at number 11. Simon Rogan’s London outpost Roganic is the last new entry inside the top 20, at number 18. Other notable new entries are Medlar at 27 and two restaurants from the Russell Norman and Richard Beatty empire: Polpetto and Spuntino, ranked 91 and 97 respectively.
There have been some high profile casualties falling out of the top 100 completely. These include Tom Aikens, currently undergoing an extensive 3 month refurbishment, Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s, Hix at the Albemarle and Roux at The Landau. Big fallers include L’Anima, tumbling a colossal 36 positions, Maze, down 33 places and Koya falling 27. Although, it is not all doom and gloom, the 14 new entries had to be accommodated, and there were many establishments who made surges up the table. Just off Hyde Park, French brasserie Angelus takes the crown of biggest climber, up an impressive 26 places to number 78, closely followed by Ristorante Semplice, with an improvement of 24 positions. Galvin La Chapelle moved closer to the top 10, up 6 places to number 13, and Gauthier Soho have improved 9 places to 27.
The top two have held their respective positions, but The Ledbury’s stellar year continues and they have closed the gap on Marcus Wareing. Dinner by Heston has fallen to number 6, with Michel Roux Junior’s Le Gavroche closing out the top three. All this shuffling of positions is a clear indication that there is a thriving culinary scene in the capital. Furthermore, with the majority of guide books published for this year chefs across London can breathe a sigh of relief and focus their energies on their winter menus. However, as per usual All in London will continue to keep you up to date with any new developments, ensuring the All in One Ultimate Restaurant List is the most comprehensive and cutting edge resource for where to eat today, tonight or tomorrow...
