An imaginative Nottingham restaurant that serves a casual exquisite menu – and is about to lower its price – is celebrating being named the best in the country at the prestigious Food Awards England. The award is the latest in a long line of triumphs for No. 12 and comes not long after being named Blue Ribbon winner in the 2022 Good Food Awards, which are awarded to restaurants with high customer ratings.
The plant-based restaurant was named the best vegetarian restaurant in the Midlands and won the best in England, beating competitors in the North and South at the Food Awards England ceremony at Manchester’s Mercure Piccadilly Hotel.
Chef Ritchie Stainsby, who runs No. Twelve, along with her fiancé Lauren Nally, said: “We are very happy about it. We wanted to make sure that even though we are a plant-based restaurant, it was a restaurant that everyone could visit whether you follow a plant-based diet or not. .We just serve good honest food and I think that’s what sets us apart from other plant based companies that are predominantly trying to focus on selling the vegan idea.
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“We just want to be a top-class restaurant and focus on good quality UK produce, with an ever-changing seasonal menu and do things differently for people who offer a relaxed exquisite dining experience, which is something you don’t often get with plant-based “Quite often it’s junk food, and I think the reason we do it so well and receive recognition is that we follow these principles.”
Nr. Twelve have been trying a tasting menu ever since it was a small cafe in Hounds Gate where it held small dinner clubs in the evenings. It continued as they moved into larger premises in 2019 in a stunningly rebuilt brick mill under the archway to Eldon Chambers, off Wheeler Gate.
Customers have been treated to beautifully crafted dishes of eggplant, shiso, wasabi, shallots and cavolo nero; golden beets, gorgonzola, pine nuts and cherries; and chocolate delicacy with jam ice cream and tarragon cream pastry.
The wine tasting menu, which is currently served Thursday through Saturday nights (though it may be extended in the coming weeks), has become a popular attraction for diners, especially those celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. The seven-course menu also serves the classic menu of dishes that regulars love and keep coming back for.
Ritchie said: “The taste menu is a completely different concept and can be combined with either wines, cocktails or beer. We all make our petit fours by hand. It’s really cool, we love that concept. You can get a light bite, a bowl of olives and a cocktail upstairs, for a more relaxed experience downstairs, we have our classic menu, and if you fancy something very special, we have our seven-course tasting. “
The latest tasting menu launches tomorrow (June 9) – and while customers are facing more expensive bills due to rising food and energy costs, No. Twelve actually the price from 60 pounds per. per capita to between 50 and 55 pounds. The final cost is being worked out today.
“We are trying to make it a little more accessible to people. With the current climate and energy bills rising, we are fully aware that people do not have as much disposable income as they typically would have. We have made it a little cheaper. , and we hope we can offer it to more people to come and have a good experience, but not blow their entire monthly budget on one meal, “Ritchie added.
There were other Nottinghamshire successes at the Food Awards England, including a win for BOHNS on Broad Street, which was named the country’s best burger bar. The Artisan Bakery, which opened in 2019 in Stockwell Gate, Mansfield, was named the nation’s best craft bakery.
A spokesman for The Food Awards England said: “These awards are intended to thank those who work hard in the city’s food industry and help make England a great gastronomic place to visit. It is true that England combines taste and flavor from all over the world and visitors can find various restaurants, gastro pubs and bistros to meet their needs.
“These people strengthen the country’s reputation nationally and internationally, and we want to make sure that the hard work of England’s food professionals does not go unnoticed. It was great to be a part of this celebration and we would like to congratulate all the finalists and winners for their achievements! “
