AA serving up rosettes to county’s best restaurants

Nine Nottinghamshire restaurants feature in the highly anticipated AA Restaurant Guide 2022.

nine restaurants are all featured in the AA’S guide, which has just been released and gives readers an idea of the best places to visit across the country if they want a meal out.

All of these restaurants received at least one coveted AA rosette, awarded to outstanding restaurants and hotels since 1956.

To receive just one rosette is a rare honour, according to the AA’S Restaurant Guide: “Of all the restaurants across the UK, approximately 10 percent are of a standard worthy of one rosette and above.

“The taste of a dish is what counts, and whether it successfully delivers to the diner the promise of the menu. A restaurant is only as good as its worst meal.

“We are often asked by chefs and proprietors: ‘What is the difference between one and five rosettes and how can I get to the next level?’ We answer that it’s how well a chef manages to apply advanced technique while retaining maximum flavour, and assuming an appropriate quality of source ingredients.”

Here is wahat the AA has to say about the Notts restaurants that feature in its latest guide:

1. FARNDON BOATHOUSE

The restaurant, near the River Trent in Newark, makes an appearance in the restaurant guide for 2022 – receiving two rosettes.

The AA says: “The leafy banks of the River Trent make an interesting contrast to the contemporary exposed ducting, industrial-style lighting, stone floors and glazed frontage of the stylish Boathouse.

“The kitchen uses modern cooking techniques such as sous-vide, to squeeze every molecule of flavour from the ingredients.”

2. TOM BROWNS BRASSERIE

Tom Browns in Gunthorpe is a POPTHESE ular stop-off for walkers who go for a stroll along the village next to the River Trent – and it has earned itself two AA rosettes.

It is run by Robin Perkins, and boasts an outside dining area, and was praised for its “well-considered” cooking – in a building that was once a place of education back in the 19th century.

The guide tells its readers: “The homage to Thomas Hughes’ plucky Victorian schoolboy denotes the fact that this large riverside building was a place of education in the 19th century. No risk of having to face school dinners here now, though. This is a robustly complex, well-considered brasserie cooking in the modern style.”

3. ALCHEMILLA

Alchemilla, on Derby Road, has been given four rosettes in the guide.

It is called a “hidden gem”, found in a former coach house which was derelict for more than half a century.

The result is described as “modern cookery of the best kind, supported by an understanding of classic techniques, and with an inspired take on the plant-based elements of dishes”.

The celeriac starter is called “memorable”, with its Moroccan lamb also getting a special mention.

Their dessert recommendation is

the creamy chocolate gelato while the petits fours are described as “top notch”.

4. BYRONS

Byrons in Colwick Hall Hotel has been given one AA rosette.

The restaurant was named after poet Lord Byron, and is an informal bar and brasserie with cream leather chairs and dark wood floors and tables. “The kitchen follows suit,” the guide says, “offering an appetising menu of modern, uncomplicated ideas that aims to please all comers.”

5. HART’S KITCHEN

Another addition to the list in Hart’s Kitchen, earning two rosettes. It is based in Hart’s Hotel in Park Row, Nottingham, and serves modern British cuisine.

It offers an “approachable” menu which changes weekly – keeping regular visitors on their toes. The food is labelled as clean and simple, with fresh ingredients used. The guide tells visitors to “look out for the gallery of signed celebrity photos” as it awards Hart’s two rosettes.

6. MEMSAAB RESTAURANT

Memsaab in Maid Marian Way is the only Indian restaurant in Nottingham to make the list – earning two rosettes.

The sizable restaurant can cater for 200 covers, but the quality of food does not suggest it is such a big operation, according to AA.

They say: “Easily able to cater for 200, Memsaab is a pretty big operation, but its size doesn’t dilute the quality of the outstanding menu and its stunning choice of modern and traditional Indian cooking styles.

“The décor demonstrates Memsaab’s ethos, a mix of traditional Indian design and themes, with a modern approach and execution.”

7. WORLD SERVICE

Two-rosette World Service is in the 17th-century Newdigate House which has strong connections to the local United Services Club.

The other part of the restaurant’s name reflects inspiration drawn from around the world, which has created a combination of British cuisine with global influences, using a blend of techniques and flavours.

8. PARK PLAZA NOTTINGHAM

Another restaurant in Maid Marian Way makes the list, this time offering guests pan-asian cuisine. AA say Park Plaza is “Latin America meets the Far East” in its Nottingham branch. “Set across two levels,” it says, “this buzzy restaurant and bar fuses pan-asian cooking with international cuisine on the globe-trotting menu. Thai and Korean dishes appear in the mains.” It was awarded two rosettes.

9. RESTAURANT SAT BAINS with ROOMS

It is no surprise that two Michelin Star chef Sat Bains makes this list of top Nottingham restaurants. In fact, with five rosettes, it is the top-rated restaurant featured on the AA’S list. They call it an “unexpected location” in Lenton Lane, underneath Clifton Bridge, but describe the experience of dining there as “perfect”.

It writes: “Sat’s reputation has elevated him to the ranks of this country’s super-chefs.

“For him, it’s all about research, development and creativity that goes into his dishes.”