SIMON Rogan at The French and Manchester House both missed out on a Michelin star in the 2015 listings. This after the former restaurant was awarded four AA rosettes and the latter three, raising hopes that their Michelin ambitions would at last be rewarded. The French, in particular, looked nailed on for a star.
It wasn't to be in a year when the Michelin judges have been particularly parsimonious, unveiling only 14 new starred restaurants none of them in the North West. The nearest Michelin Star restaurants to Manchester remain Simon Radley's restaurant at The Grosvenor in Chester and Nigel Haworth's Northcote Manor at Langho near Blackburn.
Consolation came for Rogan with a rapid elevation to one star for his recent opening, Fera at Claridges (yes, it is in London), while his original fine dining venue, LEnclume in Cartmel in Cumbria, retained its two Michelin Star rating on the new list.
He was in bullish mood after The AA awards at The Grosvenor, London, proclaiming: "The team at The French gets stronger and stronger every day. I am so proud of what our head chef Adam Reid is doing in the kitchen, and Kamila with the front of house. The restaurant has become a pretty seamless operation, incorporating the DNA of what we do at LEnclume but with its own Manchester personality and achieving our four AA rosettes is a perfect acknowledgement of all of the hard work.
Collecting his own three rosette AA gong Manchester House's Aiden Byrne (pictured with wife Sarah) said: Receiving such a prestigious accolade is a great reward for all of the hard work that the whole team at Manchester House put in. We pride ourselves on offering fine cooking served in an informal, fun and funky way. Consistency is key for us, we ensure every guest receives the whole unique experience of dining at Manchester House.
The French at the Midland Hotel is one of seven restaurants joining the elevated four AA rosette brigade in this year's guide the only restaurant in the North to achieve this. Gary Usher's amazing Chester restaurant Sticky Walnut is deservedly named the AA's Restaurant of the Year 2014 for England.
Manchester House, along with its 12th floor lounge bar, has been nominated on four categories for the Manchester Food and Drink Awards 2014. The winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner in the Town Hall next Monday (September 29). Rogan's restaurant was last year's Restaurant of the Year.
Manchester House, Tower 12, 18-22 Bridge Street, Manchester M3 3BZ http://www.manchesterhouse.uk.com/
Simon Rogan at The French, The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS http://www.the-french.co.uk/. Image from Claridge's website