Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-buckinghamshire">BUCKINGHAMSHIRE</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hand-and-flowers-marlow"><a href="https://www.thehandandflowers.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hand and Flowers</a>,&nbsp;Marlow&nbsp;★★</h2>



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<p>Marlow marvel Tom Kerridge’s first pub opened in 2005 and received its first Michelin star a year later,&nbsp;the first&nbsp;boozer to receive the accolade in the UK. The pub, which focuses on simple, quality ingredients, now has two stars, plus rooms in the nearby Flower Cottage, with breakfast thrown in with your stay.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-artichoke-amersham"><a href="http://www.artichokerestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artichoke</a>, Amersham&nbsp;★</h2>



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<p>This fine dining hotspot sandwiched between two boutiques in central Amersham (one of which is Whistles so that’s extra points from us) has retained its well deserved Michelin star for the fourth year. Raymond Blanc is a massive fan and so are we.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-coach-marlow"><a href="https://www.thecoachmarlow.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Coach</a>,&nbsp;Marlow&nbsp;★</h2>



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<p>Tom Kerridge’s second pub/bar made it onto the Michelin Guide four years ago and is still going strong with its selection of groovy tapas-style dishes and small plates. The Coach is tiny and resolutely un-bookable, so turn up and take your chances.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-three-oaks-gerrards-cross-bib-gourmand"><a href="https://www.thethreeoaksgx.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Three Oaks</a>, Gerrards Cross&nbsp; – Bib Gourmand&nbsp;</h2>



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<p>This elegant gastropub is serves fantastic food with impeccable presentation – definitely worth the trip round the winding South Bucks countryside to find it. There’s a neat courtyard outside for summer months.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CAMBRIDESHIRE<a href="https://www.restaurant22.co.uk/"><br>Restaurant Twenty-Two</a>, Cambridge&nbsp;<strong>★</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/03/restaurant-22.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-31898" /><figcaption>Image credit: Cris Barnett/ Restaurant Twenty-Two</figcaption></figure>



<p>Massive congratulations to Sam and Alex from Cambridge’s Restaurant Twenty-Two, which has been awarded a Michelin Star for the first time this year. Cambridge locals have been in love with this top quality restaurant for years, so be prepared to join the waiting list to bag a table. The guide said: “Sam’s food is poised, detailed and very precise; he has all the techniques and his plates are beautifully presented – go for one of the set menus and you’ll leave feeling impressed but also sated.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxfordshire">OXFORDSHIRE</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-le-manoir-aux-quat-saisons-great-milton-green-star"><a href="https://www.belmond.com/hotels/europe/uk/oxfordshire/belmond-le-manoir-aux-quat-saisons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons</a>,&nbsp;Great Milton ★★(★ Green Star)</h2>



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<p>No introduction needed for Raymond Blanc’s picturesque 15th-century Oxfordshire gaff which retains its two star status year on year with its offering of&nbsp;<em>haute cuisine</em>, as well as a Green Michelin star for the restaurant’s commitment to sustainability.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-nut-tree-murcott"><a href="https://www.nuttreeinn.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Nut Tree</a>,&nbsp;Murcott&nbsp;★</h2>



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<p>The charming century thatched pub/restaurant, near Bicester, has retained its star status for a cool 15 years running with its refined menu that champions British produce. Respect.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>LEICESTERSHIRE</strong><br><br><a href="http://johnshouse.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">John’s House</a>, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire ★</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/leics/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2023/03/johns-house-mountsorrel-rutland-michelin-star-muddy-stilettos-leicestershire-rutand.jpg" alt="John's house mountsorrel leicestershire " class="wp-image-42414" /></figure>



<p>This fine dining hotspot in Leicestershire, John’s House has retained its well-deserved Michelin star (the only one in the county), and we we couldn’t be happier for John and his team. No flashy decor, no busy city centre location, no fancy lighting or posh-looking menus – everything about John’s House is charming, humble and seriously refined (obvs!).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">RUTLAND</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hambleton-hall-nr-oakham"><a href="https://www.hambletonhall.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hambleton Hall,&nbsp;</a>nr Oakham&nbsp;★</h2>



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<p>Celebrating over 40 years, Hambleton Hall is an absolute gem tucked away in the picturesque Hambleton peninsula, Rutland. Chef Aaron Patterson started out here in 1984 before leaving to sharpen his skills by working with the likes of Raymond Blanc before returning as Head Chef in 1992. He’s been here ever since and has has the longest retained single star in the UK. Respect!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WARWICKSHIRE</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.thecrosskenilworth.co.uk/">The Cross, Kenilworth</a>&nbsp;★</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/03/Untitled-design-1641.jpg" alt="The Cross Kenilworth Michelin Star" class="wp-image-53147" /></figure>



<p>A Michelin-starred&nbsp;19th century inn run by restaurateur Andreas Antona –&nbsp;once described by The Sunday Times as ‘the godfather of modern Birmingham food’ – and executive chef Adam Bennett, previously head chef at Simpsons in Edgbaston. The Cross offers&nbsp;stylish food, relaxed service and a down-to-earth approach to gourmet food without the stuffiness of ‘haute cuisine’.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.salt-restaurant.co.uk/">Salt, Stratford-upon-Avon&nbsp;</a>★</h2>



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<p>Paul Foster and wife Rhiain opened their a characterful crowdfunded restaurant in a 16th Century beamed building on historic Church Street in central Stratford in 2017. The Coventry-born chef’s restaurant “loves to&nbsp;take humble, underrated ingredients and use them to create beautiful plates of food.” Michelin inspectors say: “Start with a beer in the characterful bar, then dine in the summer room or out on the terrace. Forgo the pub classics and choose one of the more ambitious dishes such as John Dory with celeriac, pea, leek, apple fricassée, gnocchi and courgette.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-west-midlands">WEST MIDLANDS</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.adamsrestaurant.co.uk/">Adam’s, Birmingham</a>&nbsp;★</h2>



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<p>Exquisite, innovative food by chef Adam Stokes. This larger reincarnation of his original pop-up restaurant gives him the ability to pursue a second Michelin star, which would be a first for Birmingham, but he still wants to maintain the small, cosy vibe his old venue was so well known for. A&nbsp;la carte, weekday lunch and tasting menus are available, and a separate dining room for up to 16 guests.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://cartersofmoseley.co.uk/">Carters of Moseley, Birmingham&nbsp;</a>★</h2>



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<p>Brad Carter and partner Holly Jackson’s small neighbourhood restaurant is renowned for its exceptional friendliness, professionalism, value-for-money menu and intense, well-balanced dishes. The Michelin Guide said: “It is run by an infectiously friendly, engaging team, who will turn your visit into a real event. The set tasting menu lists ambitious, creative dishes, and the accompanying natural, organic and biodynamic wines are all available by the glass.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="https://www.upstairs.restaurant/">Upstairs by Tom Shepherd, Lichfield</a>&nbsp;★</strong></h2>



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<p>Tom’s dream has always been to open his own restaurant, and it came true when he opened Upstairs – above his father’s jewellery shop. The contemporary, British fine dining restaurant is a hit with locals and bookings are hard to come by – but if you do manage you’re in for a treat. The Michelin Guide said: “Like the chef himself, the cooking is confident yet restrained. Tom’s experience shines through in the detailed yet unfussy dishes, which are beautifully presented and come with well-thought-through flavour combinations.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://purnellsrestaurant.com/">Purnell’s, Birmingham&nbsp;</a>★</h2>



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<p>Chic, contemporary fine-dining occupying a Victorian redbrick building in one of Birmingham City Centre’s finest conservation areas,close to Colmore Row, run by chef Glynn Purnell.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.simpsonsrestaurant.co.uk/">Simpsons, Birmingham</a>&nbsp;★</h2>



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<p>Executive Chef Luke Tipping describes his style as “very natural, very seasonal and free flowing”. A&nbsp;professor of culinary arts, from University College Birmingham, he runs the restaurant with head chef Nathan Eades.&nbsp;The restaurateur behind Simpsons is Andreas Antona, who opened the first incarnation in Kenilworth, Warwickshire in 1993. It quickly built up a reputation as one of the best restaurants in the region. Michelin inspectors say: Dishes are balanced and pure, with subtle modern touches and a pleasing clarity of flavour; be sure to try the signature tapenade bread rolls and delicious soufflés. Service is enthusiastic and brims with personality.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://opheem.com/">Opheem, Birmingham</a>&nbsp;★</h2>



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<p>Opheem chef director Aktar Islam opened his solo restaurant in 2019. His progressive Indian cooking blends “traditional techniques with a modern outlook”.&nbsp;The Michelin guide said: “Aston-born chef-owner Aktar Islam – who grew up working in his father’s restaurant – has created something quite unique, and his pride in having his name above the door is palpable.”</p>


The new Michelin star winners for 2023 worth the drive

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