Quo Vadis in London’s Soho scooped the Restaurant of the Year award on Monday night at the Tatler Louis Roederer Restaurant Awards 2009.

The Dean Street modern British restaurant, restored to its former glory in May 2008 by Spanish brothers Sam and Eddie Hart (of Fino and Barrafina fame), was praised for its excellent food, impeccable service and impressive art collection.

Mark Hix of the popular Smithfield eatery Hix Oyster & Chop House won Restaurateur of the Year for his no-nonsense, predominantly UK sourced menu that changes daily, while Dominic Chapman picked up the Best Young Chef award for his culinary wizardry at The Royal Oak in Berkshire.

On the wine front, the Best Sommelier award went to Lucio Penetra of L’Oranger, St James’s Street.

Michelin-starred chef and veteran restaurateur Raymond Blanc, owner and head chef at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons near Oxford, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

On presenting the award, Michel Janneau, executive vice president of Champagne Louis Roederer, praised Blanc’s boundless passion and innate understanding of the British palate.

Written by Lucy Shaw

Lucy Shaw
Lucy Shaw
Decanter Magazine, Restaurant Critic, Wine Writer & Editor

Lucy Shaw is a wine and spirits editor and writer, based in London. She joined Decanter 2007 as Editorial Assistant and left three years later to join The Drinks Business, where she is now the editor. Her special interests are the wine regions of Spain, South America and Champagne, as well as reviewing the latest restaurants on London’s dining scene.