| Le Bouchon Breton best in Harpers Drinking Out Excellence Awards |
| Industry News |
| Written by Gemma McKenna |
| Tuesday, 25 January 2011 10:00 |
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Le Bouchon Breton in London’s Spitalfields market has been named the best place for a drink whilst out dining in the 2011 Harpers Wine & Spirit Drinking Out Excellence Awards. It was singled out from fierce competition from restaurants, bars, pubs and hotels across the country in an awards ceremony that looks to reward outlets for the excellence of their drinks offer and wine list as well as their food. As well as being named Best Overall Establishment, Le Bouchon Breton won the Champagne Venue of the Year award, and Best French Wine Restaurant of the Year at the Harpers Drinking Out Excellence Awards held at London’s Haymarket Hotel on January 24. Other notable winners on the night included Chez Bruce (European Wine Restaurant of the Year), L’Anima (Italian Wine Restaurant of the Year), Morito Tapas Bar (Spanish Wine Restaurant of the Year) and Gaucho Grill (New World Wine Restaurant of the Year). The winners were chosen by a panel of restaurant critics, wine writers, on-trade consultants and sommeliers. Richard Siddle, editor of Harpers Wine & Spirit, said: “Too often the excellence and quality of a restaurant drinks offer and wine list is over looked in favour of the food. But it is such a crucial part of any meal occasion that we thought the very best in the country deserved this recognition. The awards are chosen by those in the know. Experts who put these outlets to the test every day of the year. “If you have not been to one of our finalists or winners recently, get along and you will be treated to an all round dining and drinking experience.” Gerard Basset, currently the World’s Best Sommelier of the Year, was named Wine Personality of the Year for the work he continues to do not only at Terravina in the New Forest, but as an inspiration to the restaurant trade as a whole. Other winners included: Spirits Personality of the Year: Jake Burger of London’s Portobello Star After Dinner Drinks Venue of the Year: Boisdale Best Drinks List in an Asian Restaurant: Zuma Wine Bar of the Year: Vinoteca Wine Pub of the Year: The Anchor in Walberswick, Suffolk Spirits Venue of the Year: Mark’s Bar at the Hix Newcomer of the Year: Cigalon The event was sponsored by wine and drinks brands Cavit, Iceberg Vodka, Mission Estate Winery, Chambord and Brown Brothers. |
