Virtuous circle for gastropubs
The past decade has seen gastropubs shift identity from a metropolitan oddity to a high- street staple. So mainstream is the gastropub that it's moved into a new stage of its evolution - a "theme" to plug into all manner of unusual retailing contexts. There are gastropubs at airports, and now Centerparcs is planning to convert a couple of existing restaurants into gastros.
Not everyone likes the term gastropub or some of the trends in the movement's growth that are becoming apparent. As an umbrella term it's universally disliked; it has been hi-jacked by Marks & Spencers and accused of introducing inflated prices to humble boozers carried away by their own gastro-pretensions - The Good Pub Guide 2008, in particular, has questioned whether prices are excessive given some venues' food quality. Nevertheless, if the gastropub movement didn't exist, someone would have to invent it. Because, in essence, it's recognised that the way to consumers' hearts is through their stomachs.
People love eating in pubs - and given something decent to eat, they love pubs even more. It's a virtuous circle. The gastropub movement continues to grow, driven by increasing consumer demand for good-quality, freshly prepared food. We're not talking about food with snob value: Gordon Ramsay's arrival on the gastro-scene is driven by recognition of the need for traditional pub food to be re-invented for the modern age.
Our annual search to find the UK's Top 30 Gastropubs had us stalking those in the know and popping the big question - what's your favourite? We've polled gastropub operators, food writers and critics on who they rate and is worthy of a place in our Top 30 Gastropubs list. It's an exhaustive search, with 400 of the industry's best-informed observers taking part. From new pubs on the block and awesome urban sites to country gems, our list celebrates some of the UK's best dining pubs.
Read on to find out who they are...
See you in the New Year,
Jo Bruce, PubChef editor
Leave a message: 01293 610487 or email jo.bruce@william-reed.co.uk
Lucy Britner: 01293 610365 or email lucy.britner@william-reed.co.uk
