After a closely-fought nine week televised competition, a Bristol restaurant has outshone the competition to take the title of Gordon Ramsay’s Best Restaurant In The UK.
Michelin-starred Casamia in Westbury-on-Trym was one of 12,000 restaurants nominated by the public to take part in the contest, and fought off competition from Bradford’s Prashad, an Indian restaurant, to earn the accolade.
Ramsay applauded chef-owners Jonray and Peter Sanchez-Iglesias for their unusual ingredient combinations and their modern and experimental approach – which has led to creations such as their signature dish of beetroot risotto with pistachio, shaved fennel in white wine vinegar and sour yoghurt ice cream – saying:
“Casamia is one of the most exciting restaurants in the UK. We’ve got two little geniuses. My god can they cook. *******g impressive.”
Starting out as a pizzeria in 1999, Casamia has been completely transformed since Jonray and Peter took over the reins from parents Paco and Susan in 2006. The pair are still very young – only 27 and 26 respectively – but have had a love of food from a very young age, since childhood holidays where their parents taught them how to select, clean and cook mussels, how to skin a rabbit, and how to forage for wild foods.
The pair, born locally in Whitchurch, say that their philosophy is to be as creative as possible and to challenge the conventional. They are keen to use local and seasonal ingredients, preferring south western suppliers such as Lahloo Tea, Jekka’s Herb Farm, Gale Farm Meats and The Valley Smokehouse.
The restaurant, on Westbury Village’s High Street, is open for dinner Tuesdays to Saturdays and lunch on Saturdays only. Rather than serving an a la carte menu, diners select from a choice of two tasting menus (each with vegetarian options) with either five or nine courses.
To book a table (although it seems as though availability is limited until December) head to the website and use their online booking system.
Website: www.casamiarestaurant.co.uk
Telephone: 0845 074 5692
Address: 38 High St, Westbury Village, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 3DZ
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[…] Village’s Casamia has found yet greater fame recently thanks to the restaurant’s victory in the Ramsay’s Best Restaurant series in November. My friend Laura and I were lucky enough to book a table in December with surprisingly […]