A country pub in the tiny village of Oldstead, England has been declared the world's best restaurant by Tripadvisor.
The family-run Black Swan edged out establishments from around the globe to grab the top spot in the "Best Fine Dining" category of Tripadvisor's 2017 Traveller's Choice Awards. (The Traveller's Choice Awards are awarded annually and are based on ratings entered on the site during the previous 12 months.)
The Black Swan is known for sourcing a majority of their produce and meat from the family's own land, which is located adjacent to the pub. The ingredients are then served up with world-class skill in a comfortable and approachable setting-an atmosphere that has no doubt helped distinguish the pub from the pack.
The backstory of how the Black Swan came to be is nearly as impressive as its current accolades.
The struggling pub was purchased by the Banks family in 2006, and soon after the family's two teenage sons-Tommy and James-were put in charge.
Inspired to make the restaurant's out-of-the-way location an asset instead of a liability, the brothers revamped the establishment with an eye to making it a dining experience worth traveling for.
Tommy and James then taught themselves skills while picking up other tips under the tutelage of their former head chef. Once he left the Black Swan, it was all on their shoulders and they have managed to exceeded anyone's wildest imaginations.
Along the way, Tommy Banks became Britain's youngest Michelin-starred chef and a fixture on television cooking shows in his home country.
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While some may snicker at the sophistication or reliability of Tripadvisor reviews, Tommy Banks was quoted in The Guardian as saying:
"It's a huge honour to win this award, but what makes it really special is that it's been awarded because of feedback from our customers".
While the menu at the Black Swan is constantly rotating, a recent tasting menu features such dishes as lobster with onion and gooseberry, beetroot cooked in beef fat and turbot fish with strawberries and cream.
Drinkers aren't forgotten, as the wine list is top-flight while the cocktail menu features creative tipples like the Fine and Dandy (homemade dandelion & burdock soda with rum). Craft beer is all sourced from the owner's favorite breweries-with the Salty Kiss Gooseberry Gose from Magic Rock and the Dazed and Confused Milk Stout from Bad Brewing Co. being two of the standouts.
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Like many pubs in Britain, the restaurant also offers rooms, which is perfect for those who want the full Black Swan experience without having to worry about overindulging.
Know Before You Go
Making reservations was already a good idea, but with the winning of this award, they are now strongly suggested. RSVP's can be made on the Black Swan's website or by calling the pub.
The village of Oldstead is located in Northern England in the county of North Yorkshire-around 20 miles from the medieval city of York. Oldstead is located within the North York Moors National Park, which offers visitors many things to do besides dining including hiking, heritage railways, ruined abbeys and the charming seaside town of Whitby.
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