L'Ortolan

L'Ortolan
Map
Restaurant information
Rating1 Michelin star (Michelin Guide 2020)[1]
CityShinfield, Reading, Berkshire
CountryEngland
Websitewww.lortolan.com

L'Ortolan is a gourmet restaurant in the village of Shinfield, 6 km (4 mi) south of the centre of Reading, Berkshire, England. It is located in the village's old vicarage building, which is a Grade-II listed building. Originally a three-story structure, the building endured substantial fire damage during World War II, resulting in the loss of its top floor.[2]

The restaurant's origins can be traced back to its opening by chef Richard Sandford in 1984[3] when it was known as Milton Sandford. It was then purchased by Nico Ladenis, who left the restaurant he renamed as Chez Nico, less than a year later in 1986. A few months later, John Burton-Race opened the restaurant, calling it L'Ortolan.[2]

Run by John Burton-Race for 13 years, the restaurant was purchased by Peter Newman in 2000, who appointed Alan Murchison as head chef.[4]

Murchison left the restaurant in 2003, and Daniel Galmiche took over for a year. Alan Murchison returned in 2004 as executive head chef with the option to buy the restaurant.[5] Murchison left in 2014,[6] and Peter Newman took over the running of the restaurant. The current head chef is James Greatorex.[7]

The restaurant held a Michelin Star from 2001 until 2022 when the award was rescinded.

The restaurant has three AA rosettes as of June 2023.[8]

  1. ^ "Full list of Michelin stars in Britain and Ireland". The Daily Telegraph. London. 24 January 2008. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  2. ^ a b admin (18 February 2021). "Restaurant". L'Ortolan. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Restaurant". L'Ortolan. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  4. ^ "L'ortolan - Legal and Ownership". Shinfield, Reading, UK: L'ortolan. Archived from the original on 7 March 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  5. ^ "Third time lucky for Murchison". The Caterer. 1 October 2004. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  6. ^ Gerrard, Neil (4 September 2014). "Alan Murchison resigns from L'Ortolan". The Caterer. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  7. ^ "Restaurant". L'Ortolan. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  8. ^ "L'Ortolan". AA RatedTrips.com. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.