Two Dorset restaurants have been included among the 100 best local ones as part of the Good Food Guide 2023.
Art Sushi in Bournemouth and Brassica in Beaminster were included in the list which was made after months of nominations, inspections and deliberations.
The awards were created 13 years ago to "celebrate the places that are the beating heart of communities around Britain".
The website adds: "This year, we received more than 37,000 nominations from diners advocating their beloved local haunts. It turned out to be the strongest field of contenders we’ve ever seen.
"So, alongside our national and regional winners, we are recognising an extended list of venues offering brilliant, creative, personal hospitality in all corners of Britain."
The full top 100 can be seen on the Good Food Guide website here.
What does the Good Food Guide say about the Dorset restaurants?
When discussing Art Sushi, the Good Food Guide said: "Art Sushi lies behind the Art Deco facade of Westbourne’s 1920s-built Grand Cinema – movies are no longer screened here, but this neighbourhood Japanese restaurant brings its own kind of showmanship to the outskirts of Bournemouth."
It is also well-received on Tripadvisor, earning a score of 5/5 from 55 reviews.
Eyes tend to be drawn to the long bar at the restaurant, where chef Kamil Skalczynski works his magic.
Sushi options are divided between gunkan maki, futomaki and California rolls.
It adds: "The craft extends to a smattering of non-sushi options too – Dorset seafood looms large in the shape of, say, flaky soft-shell crab tempura, or you can opt for a dish of sake yellowfin tartare with fukujinzuke relish."
When discussing Brassica, the Good Food Guide said: "Cass Titcombe and Louise Chidgey’s little eatery ‘has lifted Beaminster from forgotten Dorset village to design hot spot,’ enthused one visitor."
It is also well-received on Tripadvisor, earning a score of 4.5/5 from 336 reviews.
The "simply served, high-spec seasonal cooking" was a point of praise, with brunch and lunch being the main focus of the restaurant.
It adds: "Mediterranean flavours dominate many of the dishes, from nibbles of ‘quick-prove’ focaccia with aïoli or ‘barely grilled’ friggitelli peppers to a superb, crisp and light hazelnut and caramel doughnut with two big balls of proper vanilla ice cream, all draped in thick caramel sauce."
Three evenings a week, Brassica opens for more ambitious suppers where you could get dishes such as grilled cod fillet with agretti, piquillo peppers and chickpeas.
