A fine dining restaurant in Durham has been named as a Michelin favourite - less than a year after opening its doors.
Faru, on Silver Street in the city centre, has made the November list of the Michelin Inspectors' Favourite New Restaurants, which was published on the Michelin Guide's website on Wednesday. Owners Jake and Laura Siddle – former head chef and front-of-house-manager at the Michelin-starred House of Tides, said they are “absolutely ecstatic” with the news.
The Michelin Inspectors’ Favourite Restaurants are released on a monthly basis and recognised in the Michelin Guide with a ‘new' symbol. Jake and Laura left House of Tides earlier this year to follow through on their big ambitions for their own restaurant.
- Read more: North East celebrates Michelin star success with five restaurants named among best in country
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Both Jake and Laura said that they could not believe the news at being praised in the Michelin Guide. Jake said: “It just feels so surreal. To know our little restaurant in Durham has been featured in the Michelin Guide is just amazing.
The couple, who only opened Faru eight months ago, said it was a massive achievement for both them and the team, who offer a seasonal 10-course and five-course tasting menu. Laura said: “To be recognised for the work we are doing in our very own restaurant is just unbelievable. It’s been a whirlwind eight months for us and becoming business owners as well as working in the business has been an adjustment.
“As well as looking at what’s in season and working on new dishes for the menu, we’ve visited wine producers in places such as France so we can showcase unique drinks at Faru. We’re constantly working on the business to ensure we’re delivering the best possible experience we can for our guests – and to be recognised for all of our efforts by Michelin is phenomenal.”
Speaking of the restaurant, inspectors said: “Its name comes from an old English word for journey, but there is something decidedly contemporary about this city centre restaurant – from the airy, pared-back interior to the on-trend open kitchen and terse menu descriptions. An antique stained-glass window adds character and makes a fine backdrop for the chefs as they craft colourful, precisely executed dishes that exhibit well thought-through flavour combinations. The warm, friendly service has a pleasingly relaxed feel."
Faru offers a 10-course and five-course tasting menu – as well as a vegetarian menu – with a focus on flavour, seasonality and quality produce. The restaurant, which opens up its online bookings for January to March on Thursday, is among 15 restaurants to be featured in the Michelin Inspectors’ Favourite New Restaurants.
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