FOODIE BREAKS

British restaurants have really raised their game over recent years. So if you enjoy fine dining and are seeking out a destination for an extra-special short holiday this autumn, it’s worth considering taking a foodie break here in the UK.

LONDON
Still the destination of choice for millions of tourists each year, London scores highly in the eating out stakes with a plethora of restaurants serving dishes from every corner of the globe. But surely the capital’s most famous dining experience is that great British institution – afternoon tea at The Ritz. It doesn’t come cheap, at £36 per person, but the experience is, quite simply, something else. Spokeswoman Gerrie Pitt explains: “We’ve been serving tea in the Palm Court for more than a hundred years now. It’s all about the experience, and it’s very elegant and refined.” Because of the age of the building, it’s not completely accessible – wheelchair users cannot enter through the main entrance, instead they get in via the Piccadilly entrance leading directly to the Palm Court. As you’d expect with the Ritz, you need to book ahead – sometimes by as much as six to eight weeks (020 7493 8181). People with mobility impairments should notify the Ritz in advance of arrival so that the necessary ramps can be put in place. There is an adapted toilet on the ground floor by the Palm Court and assistance dogs are welcome.

If you’re on the London tourist trail, one place you’re likely to stop is Trafalgar Square – not least to see the statue of Alison Lapper before its imminent removal from the Fourth Plinth. Behind the thick walls of the imposing National Gallery you’ll find the National Dining Rooms – a cosy but smart eatery in the Sainsbury Wing offering a menu of national treasures (020 7747 2525). Comfort food is high on the agenda, and the in-house bakery produces an extensive range of yummy products. Time Out magazine describes it as “an old-fashioned cake-lover’s idea of heaven”. The National Dining Rooms are fully accessible, with adapted toilets and level access throughout, but be aware that they close at 5pm each day (apart from Wednesdays when they’re open till 8.30pm) so are ideal for a hearty lunch or indulgent afternoon tea rather than an evening meal.

For something a little more upmarket, why not try Nobu? The modern Japanese cuisine and stylish décor make this restaurant a bit of a celeb hang-out. However, the prices aren’t perhaps as steep as you’d imagine, with chicken in teriyaki sauce at £16.50 and a tempura dinner at £15.50. So why is the restaurant so highly regarded? Nobu’s Meeok Hill told us: “I think it’s because of consistency, our good quality produce and excellent service. We train our staff intensively in all areas of food, wine and service.” Located on the first floor of Mayfair’s Metropolitan Hotel (meaning it has fantastic views over Hyde Park), London’s original Nobu restaurant has its own entrance on Old Park Lane and there is wheelchair access via a lift. The only access restriction is to the cloakroom which has two steps up, but staff on reception are more than happy to help if you need assistance. Advance booking is recommended (020 7447 4747).

When it comes to accommodation, London offers something for everyone, with hotels, hostels and B&Bs across the capital. One of the most glamorous parts of London is Kensington, and the Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum – near the Victoria and Albert Museum and Harrods – has eight accessible rooms available at reasonable prices (0870 4009 100). These provide a number of facilities, including low-level baths, portable hearing loops and flashing fire alarms. One room has a ceiling track hoist in the bathroom and bedroom, and there are two Blue Badge spaces on the forecourt and valet parking can be provided. “We’re really proud of the training our staff receive, called Confidence to Serve All, which provides bespoke disability awareness training,” says Accessibility Manager Carleigh Chadwick. Check out www.visitlondon.com/accommodation/accessible or call 0870 156 6366 for details of other accessible hotels.

MANCHESTER
It’s certainly not grim up North when it comes to the wide range of restaurants in Manchester. From the fine food at The French to the earthy vegan produce at Eighth Day, there’s lots to choose from. Despite being a small restaurant, The French (located in the Midland Hotel) is fully accessible with ramps throughout and lifts to take guests up to the hotel’s seven adapted bedrooms. With two AA rosettes, The French (0161 236 3333) provides a changing menu in sumptuous surroundings. The hotel’s Debbie Green recommends that diners book ahead, and claims: “The food is outstanding. It’s not just going for a meal in the French, it’s more of an experience.”

If you’re a fan of French food, celebrity chef Raymond Blanc’s Manchester venture is also worth checking out, especially for its good value set menus – Brasserie Blanc (0161 832 1000) offers a three-course dinner with wine for just £17.50. Providing an intimate dining experience with dishes such as steamed Loch Fyne mussels with white wine and cream or roast duck breast with an orange and lime sauce, the fully accessible and family friendly restaurant simply asks that diners with a disability mention their access needs when booking.

For something a little less French, try the accessible Italian restaurant Stock (0161 839 6644), based in the city’s former stock exchange. Or, if you’d prefer a down-to-earth eat, check out co-operative canteen Eighth Day (0161 273 1850), also in the city centre, which is fully accessible and provides a range of vegetarian and vegan treats. There are also a number of food venues around the newly-developed Salford Quays, which are a brief, wheelchair-friendly tram journey from the city centre. Lunch at the Lowry arts centre is worth considering – it has a terrace restaurant with full facilities for disabled people, and provides great views over the Quays with well-priced food (0161 876 2121). When it comes to finding a bed for the night, there are a number of hotels which provide accessible rooms, including The Lowry Hotel (0161 827 4000) and Holiday Inn Express (0161 868 1000) at Salford Quays, and The Midland (0161 236 3333) and newly-built City Inn (0161 242 1000) in the city centre. Wherever you stay and wherever you dine, you’re sure to enjoy a friendly reception in Manchester.

EDINBURGH
Scotland has a lot to offer when it comes to food, whether you’re tempted by fresh seafood, fine cheeses or highland malts. Being such a tourist hotspot, the country’s capital does a great job of proffering fantastic produce from across Scotland. For an informal bar-style menu with lots to choose from, Browns Restaurant and Bar (0131 225 4442) in Edinburgh’s New Town has access throughout, but for something a little more upmarket, the Forth Floor restaurant in Harvey Nichols is a must (0131 524 8350). Named because of its stunning views across the city towards the Firth of Forth, the popular venue has an extensive menu including interesting twists on Scottish favourites, such as roast Highland venison with foie gras tortellini, or home-cured organic salmon with Loch Etive oysters. The staff at the restaurant can assist with any requirements you may have and lift access, an adapted toilet and plenty of open space makes it ideal for wheelchair users. They’ll let you take your assistance dog with you and will reproduce their menu in large print if you let them know your requirements in advance. Fans of a wee dram won’t have to look too far for whisky-laced food in Edinburgh, and it’s fair to say it’s the ideal place to sample the “water of life”. The fully accessible Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre, just outside the historic castle, hides a well-kept culinary secret. Amber (0131 477 8477) is a restaurant dedicated to all things whisky with more than 300 different varieties on offer and an impressive menu (not all of which is doused in the amber nectar). Dishes like vegetable haggis filo with turnip puree in a whisky cream sauce, and the fillet of beef fresh from the Buccleuch estate served with wild mushroom and truffle oil have helped the restaurant win a Gold Award from the Edinburgh Restaurateurs Association. The prices aren’t bad either, with most main courses coming in at less than £20.

Because it’s such a popular tourist destination, a number of Edinburgh hoteliers have recognised the need to cater to disabled visitors. Princes Street’s regal Balmoral Hotel (0131 556 2414) and the Caledonian Hilton (0131 222 8888) have accessible rooms, as does the centrally located Ibis Hotel (0131 240 7000). For a bonny trip and a warm Scottish welcome, you can’t go wrong with Edinburgh.

AWARD-WINNING?
Unfortunately, just because a restaurant or café has won accolades, that doesn’t mean it’s accessible. In fact, some of the nation’s highest-rated eateries fall far short of the access needs of many disabled people. Let’s take London as an example – diners at Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant at Claridge’s can only access a toilet in the hotel (when we phoned, we were told there is no adapted toilet in the restaurant itself), and Soho-based Arbutus, which won the most recent Rémy Martin Restaurant Excellence Award, has no disabled toilet facilities whatsoever. Felicity Harris of Manchester Disabled People’s Access Group finds the situation unacceptable: “Nobody should get an award if they exclude people,” she says. “I get really cross about it because restaurants – especially award-winning ones – should be accessible to everybody.”

Although venues may claim to be accessible, it’s a good idea to phone beforehand to check that they meet your access needs. It may also be worth phoning a local disabled people’s access group to get their views. The internet can be a useful resource too – try online access databases like Disabled Go (www.disabledgo.info) for detailed information on restaurants, shops and other service providers.

September/October 2007.