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***

Restaurant

Score

Comments

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

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

   

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

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

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

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.

https://sessionsartsclub.com/

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

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

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

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

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

14=  Blonde, Edinburgh***

20

Guest reviewer Lesley Johnston said it was "very nice". I visited later and can't disagree. www.blonderestaurant.co.uk

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.

1 Comment

  1. Lesley on 30th December 2022 at 3:47 pm

    Well done. That’s a lot of research and writing. L

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