I haven't visited/posted in quite a while but do miss the food chat so am planning to visit more often.
2018 marked the first year since 2012 in which we didn't have a baby to look after. Our dining horizons broadened accordingly and it was a very strong year. Another baby arrived early in 2019 so it will be slower!
My biggest take-away from the list is just how good Brooklyn Fare is. This was my second visit and, strange to say for a restaurant with three stars from Michelin and four from the New York Times, it feels underrated. It doesn't seem to get the recognition it deserves as one of the best restaurants in the world.
Mirazur is wonderful and I was delighted to see it get its third star. Our meal at L'Ambroisie managed to exceed the memory of my first meal there 10 or so years ago. Raby Hunt is maybe a name which won't be familiar to everyone, and it's quite a hike from pretty much anywhere, but served us our favourite meal in the UK in 2018. In terms of style, it's closer to Brooklyn Fare than anything else on the list (it's a common style in Darlington...)
Eleven Madison Park, L'Enclume, Hide and Bibendum all slightly disappointing (for different reasons). Sushi Ginza Onodera was even better than expected (whilst Sushi Yasuda seems to have dropped off quite a bit). Bonhams will be missed. Le Gavroche did exactly what you would expect/hope. Barrafina is amazingly consistent and our pre-theatre standby (another thing we managed to do a lot more of in 2018). The Square was pretty bad.
1. Brooklyn Fare
2. L’Ambroisie
3. Mirazur
4. Raby Hunt
5. The Sportsman
6. The Ledbury
7. Sushi Ginza Onodera (NY)
8. Eleven Madison Park
9. Bonhams
10. L’Enclume
11. Le Gavroche
12. St John
13. Hide
14. The Nomad
15. Bibendum
Other notable meals: Le Cap, Barrafina, Noble Rot, Barbary, Brigadiers, Gymkhana, Keene's, Sushi Yasuda, The Square.