Welsh-based restaurants Home by James Sommerin and The Checkers received three AA Rosettes – standing out for their selection and treatment of the highest quality ingredients and consistently excellent flavour combinations. This commitment to quality earned them both a top spot on the AA’s list of the UK’s finest restaurants.
Established in 1956, the AA Rosette awards have long been a marker of leading restaurant and hotel venues across the UK, with the allocation of multi-Rosettes determined by AA’s expert inspectors.
Venues with three AA Rosettes are all outstanding restaurants that achieve standards that demand national recognition well beyond their local area.
As is tradition, each winner of a Rosette Award also received the iconic porcelain AA plate.
Here’s what the AA inspectors had to say about the winners…
HOME by James Sommerin
Speaking on Home by James Sommerin, an AA inspector said: “Mysterious from outside, with its blacked-out windows and curtained door, Home is a friendly, intimate space, with dark walls and wooden detailing.
“The focus of the room is, of course, the kitchen – you’ll feel like you are right in amongst the action as James Sommerin and his daughter, Georgia, move calmly around their workspace preparing their daily-changing menus (four or eight courses).
“Things might kick off with generously-filled pea ravioli with sage and parmesan – a liquid pea centre with crispy Serrano ham and sage leaves, while main course cod might be accompanied by Japanese artichoke and cep mushroom.”
THE CHECKERS
Commenting on The Checkers, an AA inspector said: “Set in the heart of lovely Montgomery, The Checkers is a completely charming 17th century coaching inn transformed into a restaurant with rooms. Andrew Birch and his team are producing really excellent modern British dishes here.
“The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, the menus are seasonal, and it would be hard to beat the setting. Birch’s background (he’s cooked at some of the best restaurants in Britain) gives him a solid basis from which to explore great local produce.
“Begin with a beautifully balanced dish of harissa charred carrots with yoghurt, lime and coriander. Main course line caught pollock comes with laverbread and chervil risotto – simple, elegant, and delicious.”
Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media, which operates the AA Rosette scheme, said: “This year we’ve seen an exceptional level of culinary excellence demonstrated by those receiving our coveted AA Rosettes, and Home by James Sommerin and The Checkers are no exception.
“I’m constantly inspired by the resilience, innovation, and quality demonstrated by these trailblazers in our industry, and Wales is lucky to be home to such impressive restaurants. Congratulations to all the worthy winners.”
