After the news that the 2025 Great Britain and Ireland Michelin Ceremony would be held in Glasgow, Michelin inspectors have revealed the latest additions to the coveted guide.
Every month the inspectors reveal the restaurants that have caught their attention and are worthy of inclusion in the Michelin Guide.
While stars and bib gourmands will be revealed next year, the inspectors are on the road all year round, eating their way around some of the country’s best restaurants.
Three restaurants in Scotland have been included in the October roundup. These are: Avery in Edinburgh, Elements in Glasgow and 1887, the restaurant in the Torridon hotel.
Of Avery, the Michelin inspectors wrote: “It’s not every day you hear a story like the one behind Avery. You see, the restaurant may be a relatively new part of the Edinburgh dining scene, but for years it existed in another form around 5,000 miles away in San Francisco.
“Having become infatuated with the Scottish capital during a visit here, Chef Rodney Wages moved himself and his business there for Avery 2.0. A classic Edinburgh Georgian townhouse provides the setting for Rodney’s creative, finely crafted dishes that fuse global influences with superb Scottish ingredients.”
Speaking on our Scran podcast, Wages made it clear that his aspirations were to gain a Michelin star for his Edinburgh restaurant, as he had done at his San Fransisco one. He said: “The experience that we give I think it definitely deserves a star. I think in Michelin's eyes, there's so many boxes that they need to fill that I think you never know. But we are hopeful and wishful for the star.”
Michelin inspectors were also impressed with Elements, chef Gary Townsend’s first solo restaurant which opened in Bearsden earlier this year.
Of this venue they wrote: “A smart neighbourhood restaurant in a very smart neighbourhood, Elements occupies a swish, lavishly renovated premises blending royal blue fabrics with dark wood and gold furnishings.
“The kitchen applies classical techniques to top-quality Scottish ingredients, while incorporating some subtle international influences – West Coast langoustines combined with chawanmushi and vadouvan is a prime example.
“Each dish delivers an interesting range of flavours and textures, without ever being too showy in its makeup. The on-display wine is a nod to the well-stocked list featuring something for every palate and purse.”
Finally restaurant 1881 in the luxury Torridon hotel also made the October list. The hotel has been described as a ‘magical experience’ by one reviewer and Michelin had this to say: “Situated on the banks of Upper Loch Torridon with majestic mountains in the background and manicured gardens outside, this vibrantly decorated restaurant inside The Torridon hotel is in a truly stunning location.
“The kitchen’s local and sustainable ethos results in superb Highlands produce from hand-dived West Coast scallop to Ross-shire lamb, in dishes that demonstrate a mature ‘less is more’ approach where the accompaniments enhance rather than mask the central ingredients. An extensive global whisky collection adds to the appeal.”
See the full list of new restaurants in the guide here.
