Two Oxfordshire restaurants have been named among the UK’s top 100.
Cygnet at The Swan Inn in Islip and Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Great Milton are included in a new list by SquareMeal.
Le Main aux Quat’Saisons takes the 60th spot whilst Cygnet at The Swan Inn comes in at 94th place.
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Celebrity chef Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons has two Michelin stars and foodies travel from miles around to enjoy the finest French cuisine.
The SquareMeal list said: “Few places hold as much gravitas as Le Manoir, a bastion of Franco-British hospitality for over three decades and the brainchild of one Monsieur Blanc.
“Its Tudor, wisteria-clad exterior and spellbinding organic gardens are almost as iconic as the main man himself, but the beating heart of it all is the kitchen.
“After 24 years the team waved off head chef Gary Jones and ushered in Luke Selby in 2023; a full circle moment with the young chef returning to the very stoves he started on as a trainee in 2009.
“Understandably, there are tight reigns in the kitchen, with guests of Le Manoir expecting a certain style of timeless French cuisine.
“There are glimmers of Selby making his mark however, with his love of Asian ingredients subtly spiking the menu.
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“A flawless scallop escabeche, intense with orange, had a hum of lemongrass, and later a strawberry dessert came buoyed on an undercurrent of ginger.
"The old half of the dining space is all low beams and spot lit tables, which gives way to the brighter, more spacious conservatory.
“The decor is old school and simple with immaculate, double layered crisp white tablecloths and dark wood accents.
“It's a combination that oozes class, and the atmosphere is one of utmost hospitality."
The Swan Inn closed its doors in the autumn of 2021 before it announced its return late into 2022 after being taken over by Migg Inns, which is led by local resident Nina Gray.
Starting from scratch, the 17th-century pub introduced the Cygnet restaurant and announced that Michelin star chef Paul Welburn would be at the helm of the kitchen.
The SquareMeal list said: “The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner, serving a seasonally changing menu of two and three courses for lunch and a four course menu for dinner.
“The menu is regularly changed to reflect the seasons, but an example of the dishes you might find on the menu include maple glazed butternut squash, fresh Cornish monkfish, and heritage breed sirloin beef served with black garlic and kale.
“Vegetarian options are also available with dishes such as wild mushroom 'hash brown cake' and cauliflower steak served with green sauce.
“The bar menu sounds equally as tempting, serving small plates of Paul's popular dishes. Here you will find options such as crispy potatoes 'caesar salad' and mushroom risotto served with parmesan and bearnaise.
“Unlike the main restaurant where booking is essential, the lounge does not take bookings, so you can just walk in.
“You will also find a good drinks menu which includes a selection of quality wines, local beers and accompanying cocktails.”
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