A handful of north west restaurants feature in the Michelin’s 2023 Guide.
Moor Hall and Solo, both in Aughton, and Mana in Manchester are among those that feature.
Here’s what the guide had to say about the north west restaurants.
North west restaurants feature in Michelin Guide 2023
These restaurants have either been newly awarded a Michelin Star or retained previous awards.
Moor Hall, Aughton - 2 stars and 1 Green Star (retained)
Cuisine: Creative British
The Michelin Guide says: “Charming grounds with a lake and a fountain lead up to this beautifully restored 16C country house, where you’ll be warmly welcomed by one of the slickest teams around. The Scandic-style restaurant is a truly striking space, with its blond wood tables, floor-to-ceiling windows and tempting cheese room – and the smoothness of the well-drilled chefs in the open kitchen is a sight to behold.
“Your meal commences with a tantalising array of snacks – the last served in the kitchen where you can chat with Head Chef Mark Birchall. His refined, highly original dishes feature some terrific English produce, including some lesser-known herbs and plants, and his versatility results in a range of cleverly blended flavours, textures and temperatures. The wine list will have oenophiles in raptures and contemporary bedrooms complete the package.”
Moor Hall is has a 5 star rating on Tripadvisor too with reviews praising the food and service.
One reviewer wrote: “Having eaten in many michelin star resturaunts this was by far my favourite meal I've ever eaten! Staff, food and rooms are all superb I can't fault anything. Already planning a return visit very soon!”
Solo, Aughton - 1 star (new)
Cuisine: Modern British
The Michelin Guide says: “Having worked at various well-regarded restaurants around the country, Tim Allen brought plenty of experience to his first solo venture in this brightly decorated and warmly run converted pub.
“His contemporary, seasonally pertinent dishes come with some unique touches; he lets each flavour-packed core ingredient shine but also carefully considers the textures of each dish. The lunch menu represents good value.”
The Barn, Aughton - 1 star (retained)
Cuisine: Modern British
The Michelin Guide says: “This rustic restored barn is the more informal sister to Moor Hall, and the two restaurants share the same ethos, with much of the seasonal produce coming from the five-acre grounds in which they both sit. Head to the open and airy first floor dining space, which comes with exposed beams, well-spaced tables and an open kitchen.
“Cooking is modern and imaginative and the appealing à la carte menu offers dishes which are British at heart, with understated elegance and well-judged combinations of delicious flavours. The set lunch menu is a steal!
“Hand-crafted cocktails are enhanced with their own fermented produce, staff are attentive and professional and, as dining spots go, on a sunny day the hedge-enclosed terrace by the lake takes some beating.”
You can find out more about the Michelin Guide via the website.
READ MORE: Aughton: the Lancashire village with four Michelin stars
Northcote, Langho - 1 star (retained)
Cuisine: Modern British
The Michelin Guide says: “This extensively refurbished Victorian house sits on the edge of the picturesque Ribble Valley and comes with a lovely fire-lit lounge and a bright, glitzy bar. An overnight stay in one of the stylish bedrooms is all part of the experience but it’s really the food that lures most people in.
“The restaurant’s reputation is forged on its relationship with numerous local biodynamic and organic suppliers – who have now become almost as famous as the restaurant itself – and as much produce as possible is taken from the kitchen garden.
“Head Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen’s refined, sophisticated cooking shows real depth of flavour and a lightness of touch, along with plenty of originality – and the accompanying wine list is outstanding. You can watch the chefs close-up from the glass-walled kitchen table and they also run a cookery school on-site.”
White Swan, Fence - 1 star (retained)
Cuisine: Modern British
The Michelin Guide says: “To the locals, ‘The White Swan’ will always be known as ‘The Mucky Duck’ – named after the coal miners who would stop in on their way home from work – and to this day it remains a traditional place where you’re guaranteed a laid-back atmosphere and a good pint. Jars of homemade fruit liqueurs and gins sit behind the bar, and a blackboard highlights their upcoming ‘guest chef’ evenings.
“Tom oversees the cooking while Gareth looks after things out front, and the concise menu allows the kitchen to concentrate on preparing good value dishes from small batches of locally sourced produce.
“Dishes might appear simple at first but have impressive depth of flavour – and you’ll find some playful elements too. The cheeseboard with homemade crackers and English truffle honey is a must, and there are some interesting wines available by the glass.”
White Swan is rated 4.5 on Tripadvisor with one reviewer saying: “Absolutely sensational food (the flavours, textures and presentation were all amazing) and the service was second to none. Will definitely be returning soon.”
Mana, Manchester - 1 star (retained)
Cuisine: Creative British, Modern Cuisine
The Michelin Guide says: “The personality of chef-owner Simon Martin shines brightly at this stylish, modern restaurant in the lively Ancoats area of Manchester, where every one of the well-spaced tables has a view of the kitchen. The same fixed price, surprise multi-course menu is now served at both lunch and dinner, and the emphasis is on seafood because, as Simon puts it, “we live on an island”. While most of the produce is British, dishes incorporate influences from Simon’s travels and experiences, most notably Japanese and Nordic.
“Powerful flavours are the chef’s hallmark, and the sophisticated, modern dishes are precisely crafted, original and well-balanced. Each dish has a thoughtfully chosen wine to complement it, the ambience is calm and unhurried, and the bright young team are enthusiastic and refreshingly free from pomp.”
Fraiche, Birkenhead - 1 star (retained)
The Michelin Guide says: “Marc Wilkinson has spent many years behind the stoves at Fraiche; a unique and intimate place which sits within the tiny Victorian village of Oxton, inside a conservation area.
“You start and end your night in the bar, where movie clips are projected onto the wall above illuminated tables and a diverse selection of music plays. The dining room itself has a darker, more moody feel with colourful acrylic tables laid with unique tableware.
“A maximum of 10 diners are seated at the same time to experience a global tour of delicate, flavour-filled dishes with a playful edge. Ingredients come from across the world and are innovatively combined in different textures and flavours. There are two matching wine flights and a great range of half bottles available too."
The Spärrows, Manchester - Bib Gourmand (new)
Cuisine: Modern
The Spärrows has received a Bib Gourmand award which recognises the restaurants that offer great quality and great value cooking.
This restaurant is praised on Tripadvisor too with reviews highlighting both the food and service.
The Spärrows has a 5 star rating on the reviewing website with one reviewer writing: “great food but the service was excellent. the man who greeted us at the door and ran through the menu with us was a credit to the team!!
“i was really looking forward to this restaurant as my partner is german and i wanted to try some more unusual european dishes and it was really good!
"The atmosphere was lovely and i loved how we were advised to share four plates between us.”
You can find out more about the Michelin Star restaurants via the website.
