The Walnut Tree (restaurant)
| The Walnut Tree | |
|---|---|
 The Walnut Tree and B4521 at Llanddewi Skirrid | |
  Location within the Monmouthshire | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Previous owner(s) |
Franco Taruschio Francesco and Enrica Mattioli |
| Head chef | Shaun Hill |
| Food type | British cuisine |
| Rating |
 Michelin Guide 2010</small |
| City | Llanddewi Skirrid |
| County | Monmouthshire |
| Postal code/ZIP | NP7 8AW |
| Country | Wales |
| Coordinates | 51°50′36″N 2°57′51″W / 51.843242°N 2.964046°W |
| Website |
www |
The Walnut Tree is a restaurant in Llanddewi Skirrid, Monmouthshire, Wales, run by chef Shaun Hill and holds a Michelin star. It was previously owned by Franco Taruschio for more than 30 years, and had previously held a star when Stephen Terry was head chef there. It closed briefly in 2007, which the owners blamed on an appearance on Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares three years earlier.
History
The restaurant was first opened by Franco Taruschio in the 1960s, who owned The Walnut Tree for more than 30 years. It was purchased by Francesco and Enrica Mattioli in 2001. Under the management of head chef Stephen Terry, it won a Michelin star in 2002, but lost it in 2004 after Terry's departure.[1] He moved to rival Abergavenny restaurant The Hardwick.[2]
The Walnut Tree began to have financial troubles, and so the Mattioli's sought the guidance of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey, appearing on the television series Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares in 2004. Ramsey criticised the overpricing at the restaurant, suggesting that the prices were even higher than would be accepted in London. The Walnut Tree closed in 2007, with the Mattioli's blaming the series for putting them out of business. It was subsequently reopened under chef Shaun Hill.[2]
Reception
In 2008, it was named the AA Restaurant of the Year for Wales some nine months after reopening under Hill. A year later, The Walnut Tree was named the best restaurant in the UK by the Gourmet Britain food guide, who suggested that Hill would could win a Michelin star with the restaurant.[2] It regained a the star in the 2010 guide,[1] which it holds presently.
References
- 1 2 "Wales". Michelin Online. Archived from the original on 10 October 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
- 1 2 3 Rhys, Steffan (2 April 2009). "The Walnut Tree in Abergavenny named best restaurant in Britain". WalesOnline. Retrieved 17 April 2016.