The Michelin Guide for 2014 was published in October for Pubs & Restaurants in GB & Ireland and we thought we’d comment on the suitability of them for disabled customers – as they don’t include this!?
We agree with the comment from The Telegraph that
“Finally. Michelin shows signs of good taste the Guide has realised that eating out should be a joyful experience, not a quasi-religious rite”
The Guide now includes plenty of good, (not so expensive) and unpretentious restaurants, such as Lima, Hibiscus, Angler and Social Eating House (all reviewed by us here at BBS, just click on the links). Unfortunately 9/15 of the new awards are in London but there are plenty of Bib Gourmands and existing Stars around the country.
For those who want to know the sign for Michelin stars is as per below:
The definition of a One Michelin star: “A very good restaurant or pub in its category. The star indicates a good place to stop on your journey.”
A Two Michelin star: “Excellent cooking, worth a detour. Specialities and wines of first class quality. This will be reflected in the price.”
Three Michelin star: “Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey. One always eats here extremely well, sometimes superbly. Fine wines, faultless service, elegant surroundings. One will pay accordingly.!”
There’s also the Bib Gourmand category which denotes “good food at moderate prices”. The sign for these is:
We’ll review the 3 Michelin Stars first – The 2 Stars we’ll do next week and the 1 Stars the week after that. If anyone has been to any of the restaurants do send us a review here; doesn’t have to be long. The GB & Ireland 3 Michelin Stars, which are expensive, a treat & well worth a visit, are:
Waterside Inn – Bray, only gets 2 BBS Ticks. Even though we know the food is exceptional there is no disabled toilet – built in the 1500’s “there’s no room” and no plans to build one (you can’t even use the pubs in the village as they don’t have one, a la our review of Bray here). There’s also no disabled accommodation which isn’t so bad but 1500 year old ideas re sanitation is a let down! However there is private parking and a portable ramp to get you up the 2 steps at the front. Everything after that is on one level.
Gordon Ramsey, Chelsea gets 3 provisional BBS Ticks. Again we agree the food is exceptional but we haven’t tried the disabled access or facilities but they assure us the disabled toilet is fully equipped and there’s a portable ramp for the one step at the entrance (let them know when you’re going so they have it ready).
Hi Fiona,
La Trompette gets my 1* vote. Excellent facilities, fabulous food and exceptionally helpful staff. Definitely my favourite. Too many good restaurants not only lack disabled toilet but have their facilities on another floor. I was recently in Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse in SW3. Managed to get in on crutches but as a member of staff helpfully came to warn me on arrival the toilet was down three flights of steps and not even a handrail. The steak was excellent and I would happily recommend it for the steaks but won’t be returning because of the complete disregard for comfort – the tables are packed pretty tightly as well.
Are you generally interested in opinions on venues, hotels and restaurants. I have recently given up work and would be happy to offer some views if required.
I use crutches and quite often a wheelchair when out and about, particularly to arts venues.
Best wishes,
Amanda Morris
Hi Amanda,
Agree with La Trompette my favourite as well, we have reviewed previously. Marco Pierre we provisionally reviewed so we will add your comments to that one as well. And yes send your reviews whenever you can, that would be brilliant! Thanks