Whatley Manor makes top 30 in Which? Good Food Guide

In the Which? Good Food Guide 2009, Whatley Manor, the beautifully restored Grade II listed Wiltshire manor house hotel steamed in at number 28 to snatch a place in the top 30 ranking for the first time ever, with a confident score of 7 out of 10 for the quality of its cuisine and is the only restaurant in Wiltshire to appear in this exclusive league table.

This score demotes a ‘high level of ambition and individuality, attention to detail, accurate and vibrant dishes’ according to the Good Food Guide criteria.

In awarding these marks the Guide praised all the chefs gaining 7 or 8 out of 10 and Elizabeth Carter, editor of the Good Food Guide commented that “these are exciting times for the UK restaurant scene with some really talented young chefs emerging who could go all the way to the top”.

In the case of Whatley Manor, the creative force behind its success is 36 year old Head Chef Martin, Burge who has been in charge of the hotel’s gourmet restaurant, The Dining Room since the hotel opened in 2003 and it is where he has developed his classical French cuisine delivered with a modern interpretation. To complement his cuisine, in January 2008, The Dining Room underwent a total refurbishment to create a fresh new look using a sumptuous mix of Italian silks, luxurious velvets and discreet lighting. This, the Guide pointed out, has resulted in a room that ‘looks better than ever’ and ‘carries an air of quiet dignity’.

The guide also praised the quality dishes which it said ‘are elaborately worked and yet emerge from the kitchen with a deceptive feeling of effortlessness about them. A case in point might be the ‘sublime and delicate’ goats’ cheese ravioli that came dressed with hazelnut sherbet, crisp apple and young leeks’. It went on to praise the main courses which were said to ‘exhibit stunning technique and a sound understanding of what works with what, and why’ and these high standards it said ‘are maintained through to desserts which dazzle with fruity fireworks, as when roasted black figs are accompanied by pistachio and yoghurt ice cream, mandarin sorbet and red wine reduction’.

The wine list was is also listed as ‘formidable’ going on to say that it ‘opens in France before heading off into the wider world in search of interesting flavours. Not everything costs an arm and a leg either. If you wish to start modestly before working up a head of steam, a glass of Californian Merlot for £5.50 should do the trick’.

Commenting on the news Martin Burge said “My team and I are thrilled with this recent recognition, which we feel reflects our consistent high standards whilst also demonstrating our commitment to evolving the menus and remaining creative. This recognition also helps to motivate my team and me to achieve even more for the future”.

The À la carte menu in the Dining Room costs from £65 per person. The seven course tasting menu is £80 per person. Wine matching alongside the Tasting menu is £125 per person. A one-night stay at Whatley Manor costs from £290 per room for a standard room including bed and breakfast and 10% discretionary service charge and VAT, plus use of the spa Aquarias. Spa treatments cost from £80 for a 60-minute treatment or £115 for a 90-minute treatment.

For further information log on to Whatleymanor.com.