Review of the Year 2022 Part 2: 1 – 20
Well, here they are, the champions of 2022. 21 scoring 70% or over; 7 over 90%, and 1 perfect 25/25, only the second in the history of Tom Eats! Wow! Congratulations to the ladies and gentlemen in question, and their teams.
| *** Signifies Guest Reviewer*** | ||
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Restaurant |
Score |
Comments |
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1 Aizle, Edinburgh |
25 |
Take a bow, Stuart Ralston. Only the second perfect score in the history of Tom Eats!, the other one being Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck. Stuart's new venture Tipo will be a hot ticket for 2023. www.aizle.co.uk |
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2 Unalome by Graeme Cheever, Glasgow |
24.5 |
The coolest cooking space ever, and undoubtedly the finest food in Glasgow created by the quiet genius Graeme Cheevers. www.unalomebygc.com |
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3 The Tollhouse, Edinburgh |
23.5 |
Latest venture for Stuart Muir and Paul Brennan of Dine fame. Head chef Giorgios Alexiou produces stunning food in an elegant setting overlooking the Water of Leith. www.tollhouse.scot |
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4= Clipstone, London |
23 |
A gem of a place tucked away in the shadow of the O2 Tower. Lovely people, great unpretentious food. www.clipstonerestaurant.co.uk |
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4= Restaurante José Carlos Garcia, Malaga |
23 |
A rare visit to a Michelin starred joint for Tom Eats! Port side in Malaga. Elegant and very impressive. www.restaurantejcg.com |
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4= Sessions Arts Club, London |
23 |
Fabulous food in an eccentrically converted court building in Clerkenwell. Yet another brilliant choice made by The Former Brewing Giant. |
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4= The Little Chartroom, Edinburgh |
23 |
A new venue for Roberta Hall to work her magic. You can see why she's a regular in The Great British Menu. Wonderful. www.thelittlechartroom.com |
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8= Ignite, Edinburgh |
22 |
Unassuming place near Haymarket where you will be served curries as good as they get, without going "designer." Don't miss the Sag Gust (lamb and spinach). www.igniterestaurant.co.uk |
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8= Passorn, Edinburgh |
22 |
Sadly no more, but the score says it all. I believe Cindy Sirapassorn may be opening in London. Capital dwellers, keep your eyes open. A treat could be heading your way. www.passornthai.com |
| 10= Birnam Brasserie*** Auchterarder | 21 | The ever reliable David Dickson eats at Gleneagles Hotel brasserie. www.gleneagles.com/eat-drink/the-birnam-brasserie |
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10= Dulse, Edinburgh |
21 |
Another venture for the energetic Dean Banks in Edinburgh's West End. Restaurant upstairs, wine bar with snacks downstairs. Check out the lobster crumpet. Pretty darn fine - though the service needs sharpening up. www.dulse.co.uk |
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10= Noble Rot, Soho, London |
21 |
This is the second restaurant from Messrs Keeling & Andrews glorious little empire of wine, food and other pleasures. noblerot.co.uk |
| 10= Café Murano, St James, London | 21 | Speaking of empires, this is one of three of Angela Hartnett's less formal places in central London. All good, but the pasta is unbelievable. www.cafemurano.co.uk |
| 14= Frango da Cidade, Olhão, Portugal | 20 | An unforgettable Algarve feast. 60€ for 4, including wine. Now remember, in Tom Eats! cheap is not the same as value for money. This was wonderful. (No website.) |
| 14= The Orchard, Edinburgh | 20 | Much anticipated after rave reviews from Scotland's Finest Former Journalist (East). The steak pie is indeed legendary, and the other home made pub grub offerings were darn fine too. theorchardbar.co.uk |
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14= Blonde, Edinburgh*** |
20 |
Guest reviewer Lesley Johnston said it was "very nice". I visited later and can't disagree. www.blonderestaurant.co.uk |
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17= Côte Brasserie, Edinburgh |
19.5 |
SFFJ(E) and I were very impressed by one of a chain of French style bistros. Worth paying to upgrade your steak frites. www.cote.co.uk |
| 17= Gordon Ramsay Bread Street Kitchen, Edinburgh | 19.5 | Pretty decent fare in a lovely setting in St Andrew Square. Mostly surprisingly good value apart from the overpriced beef. www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com |
| 17= Jack 'O' Bryans, Dunfermline | 19.5 | A revelation. Not only is there a huge selection, it's all good. The Iberian Black Pig is highly recommended. www.jackobryans.com |
| 17= Timberyard, Edinburgh | 19.5 | Tricky to assess this converted builders merchants premises. Interesting food, a little overpriced and rather slowly delivered. www.timberyard.co |
When I wrote Part 1 last week, I see I got it wrong. We reviewed 36 places, not 35. The missing link? Red Onion, Glasgow. At a miserable 15/25 it's not worth saying more about it now, but in case you're related you can find it here.
Tom Eats! wishes all readers and friends a very joyous and fun festive season, and best wishes for 2023 when it comes.
Well done. That’s a lot of research and writing. L