So here is a list of my top ten UK restaurants of 2010. I wish I could take the credit for coming up with the idea of doing this list, but I can’t. TopTable emailed me a few weeks ago and asked if I would come up with a top ten which they have kindly published on TopTable. Here is the link to their site if you want to check it out (click here). Anyway, I thought it was such a cool idea that I’ve replicated my list below.

It was pretty tough trying to decide which restaurants to include. There were so many factors to take into consideration, eg, food, price, overall experience, etc, but on balance, these are the restaurants which I have enjoyed the most this year. All the restaurants are UK based, but for good measure, I’m going to throw in Providence in LA as one of my top eats of 2010 as they were absolutely fab.

So here’s the list of my top ten UK restaurants of 2010:

(1) Barrafina

This has to be one of the best restaurants in London at the moment and it’s easy to see why it draws in the crowds. The food is simple, but delicious and fresh. The experience of dining at Barrafina leaves you wanting more.

(2) Apsleys

My first visit meal at Apsleys was uninspired, but my second visit was mind blowing. Head chef Massimiliano Blasone executive sous chef Marco Calenzo really know how to cook. Flawlessly executed, the meal was so exquisite I still dream about it.

(3) The Ledbury

Aussie boy Brett Graham serves wonderfully creative haute cuisine at this Notting Hill gem. He deserved his second start this year.

(4) Galvin La Chapelle

Brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin again serves up top-notch French cuisine in what must be one of the most stunning dining rooms in London. If you ever wanted a venue to impress someone, this is a choice that cannot be overlooked.

(5) Bistro Bruno Loubet

Solid French cooking boasting of tasty, robust flavours. Their pea soup à la Française was a jaw-dropper. It’s the kind of place you know you can’t go wrong in. Pretty reasonably priced as well for this standard of cooking.

(6) Polpo

I think the wait for a table here is horrid, but the food is good and great value for money. Their flourless cakes are to die for.

(7) Ottolenghi

I am not a vegetarian, but the dishes at Ottolenghi, a lot of which are veggie, are good enough to make me want to become one! Yotam Ottolenghi only uses the best seasonal ingredients and spices it up to produce a balance of wonderful flavours. With a stint in the pastry kitchens of The Capital and Baker and Spice, it’s easy to understand why his desserts are an unadulterated pleasure.

(8) Sedap

Cheerful hole-in-wall which, in my opinion, serves the best char kway teow in London.

(9) Dean Street Townhouse

The cooking is very good, although the service can get a little rushed during peak times. But the atmosphere is great fun and the vibe is cool.

(10) Harwood Arms

The Harwood Arms was better before it got its first star (surprisingly). But on the whole, it still serves up great food. For the price and quality, it is still one of the better restaurants in London.

Finally, it wouldn’t do to not mention my worse eat of 2010. For their ludicrously overpriced lobster spaghetti, I am going to have to say Bob Bob Ricard.

And, if you would like to check out the top ten lists of some other bloggers that were also featured on TopTable, click here.

Readers, thanks for hanging out with me and sharing my eating adventures throughout 2010. Merry Christmas, and I wish you all the best for the new year.