Toot Baldon, French - Restaurant Guide

It’s the end of a storied era at this famous Oxfordshire manor house – a permanent fixture on the annual Harden’s 100 list of the UK’s best restaurants – which is to close for 18 months: from January 2026 until summer 2027. Its original founder, 75-year-old Raymond Blanc, is stepping back from his role as chef-patron to become a “lifetime ambassador” and there will be a “visionary redevelopment” by owners Belmond (part of French-owned luxury goods conglomerate LVMH) who acquired it in 2014. Opened 41 years ago, it has long been a leader of the British gastronomic scene, a training kitchen for generations of young chefs and a pioneer of sustainable cuisine. It’s a lifetime work that helped Raymond earn his Légion d’honneur in 2013 in recognition by La Patrie of his services to culinary excellence. As to the future: according to the press release: “The redevelopment will allow Le Manoir to evolve for the future, to meet the needs of the modern guest while staying true to its soul and values. It is not simply a renovation, but a reinvestment into sustainability, in creativity, and in the spirit of excellence that has defined us”.

“Wonderfully capable French cooking, excellent ingredients and delightful staff” make this village pub-turned-bistro “a real find for special occasions” (“we had a lovely summer lunch party for eight in the garden”) – and it’s “very close to Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, no less” (while considerably easier on the wallet). Hosts Antoine & Camille Chretien are “really friendly and knowledgeable”, and “don’t take short cuts” with their “beautifully presented” Gallic cuisine. Top Menu Tip – “the five-cheese soufflé is divine”.