AA unveils new three and four rosette winners

The Burlington restaurant at the Devonshire Arms hotel in Bolton Abbey and restaurateur Jason Atherton were among the big winners when the AA unveiled 22 new three- and four- AA rosette awards this morning.

The Burlington restaurant, headed by 2012 Roux Scholar Adam Smith, was the only establishment to win four AA rosettes.

Smith, who is also a former Acorn winner, left his role as premier sous chef at the Ritz London less than two years ago for his post as head chef at the Burlington, where he replaced Steven Smith.

The award, which the AA gives to restaurants and chefs that demonstrate "intense ambition, a passion for excellence, superb technical skills and an appreciation of culinary traditions", puts the Burlington on par with other four-rosette establishments such as the Waterside Inn in Bray, Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester in London, and Le Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham.

Three of the 21 restaurants to be awarded three AA rosettes this year are supported or run by Jason Atherton: Little Social on Pollen Street; City Social, which he runs in partnership with Restaurant Associates at Tower 42 in Old Broad Street; and the Typing Room in the Town Hall hotel, Patriot Square, headed by chef Lee Westcott and backed by Atherton.

Simon Numphud, head of AA Hotel Services, said: "We are delighted to recognise our latest collection of restaurants that have moved into the top 10% of the AA rosette scheme. These awards reflect the growing strength and depth of top-quality restaurants across the UK, and in particular the numerous impressive London openings over the last 18 months".

Four rosettes

• The Burlington restaurant at the Devonshire Arms hotel, Bolton Abbey

Three rosettes

• City Social - London
• Fera at Claridge's - London
• The Five Fields - London
• Fonab Castle Hotel - Pitlochry
• The Goring, London
• Gravetye Manor - Turners Hill
• Hampton Manor - Solihull
• House of Tides - Newcastle
• Little Social - London
• London House - London
• The Lord Clyde - Kerridge, Macclesfield
• Merchants Tavern - London
• New Angel - London
• Rivea, Bulgari Hotel & Residences - London
• Storrs Hall - Windermere
• Swinfen Hall - Lichfield
• Timberyard - Edinburgh
• Tiroran House Hotel - Isle of Mull
• Typing Room - London
• The Wild Rabbit - Kingham