Durham fine dining restaurant Faru has been included in the Michelin Guide for the first time – being listed as one of the Inspectors’ Favourite New Restaurants in the November list published on the Michelin Guide website.
Owners Jake and Laura Siddle – former head chef and front-of-house-manager at the Michelin-starred House of Tides – said they are absolutely ecstatic with the news.
The Michelin Inspectors’ Favourite New Restaurants lists are released on a monthly basis, with the inspector’s comments on Faru including: “Its name comes from an old English word for ‘journey’, but there is something decidedly contemporary about this city centre restaurant – from the airy, pared-back interior to the on-trend open kitchen and terse menu descriptions. An antique stained-glass window adds character and makes a fine backdrop for the chefs as they craft colourful, precisely executed dishes that exhibit well thought-through flavour combinations. The warm, friendly service has a pleasingly relaxed feel.”
“It just feels so surreal. To know our little restaurant in Durham has been featured in the Michelin Guide is just amazing,” said Jake.
Laura added: “To be recognised for the work we are doing in our very own restaurant is just unbelievable. It’s been a whirlwind eight months for us and becoming business owners as well as working in the business has been an adjustment. As well as looking at what’s in season and working on new dishes for the menu, we’ve visited wine producers in places such as France so we can showcase unique drinks at Faru. We’re constantly working on the business to ensure we’re delivering the best possible experience we can for our guests – and to be recognised for all of our efforts by Michelin is phenomenal.”
Faru offers a 10-course and five-course tasting menu – as well as a vegetarian menu – with a focus on flavour, seasonality and quality produce. The restaurant, which opened its online bookings for January to March on November 30, is among 15 restaurants to be featured in the Michelin Inspectors’ Favourite New Restaurants. For the full November list, click here.
