5 North St
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 2003-01-24 |
| Founder | Marcus Ashenford |
| Headquarters | Winchcombe , England, United Kingdom |
Key people | Marcus Ashenford (owner and chef) |
| Products | Dining services |
5 North St, alternatively referred to as 5 North Street, is a dining establishment situated in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, England. It is owned and managed by chef Marcus Ashenford and has consistently held a Michelin star for more than ten years.
History
Marcus Ashenford, a chef who previously earned a Michelin star at Chavignol, purchased 5 North St in 2002 for £56,000 and officially opened the restaurant on 24 January 2003.[1][2] Before Ashenford’s ownership, the location operated under the name Poacher's, run by Claire and Frank Eckermann. Ashenford’s vision was to present cuisine similar to that of Chavignol but establish 5 North St as an accessible, family-oriented venue appealing both to local patrons and culinary enthusiasts.[1]
While aiming to reclaim Michelin recognition, Ashenford stated he did not want to become overly fixated on the accolade.[1] At its inception, his wife Kate took charge of front-of-house duties, with pastry chef Marcus McGuinness—formerly of Chavignol—joining the kitchen team. Although Kate initially planned to step back after childbirth, she continued her involvement for nearly two years.[1][2] After three years at 5 North St, McGuinness departed to work at Le Champignon Sauvage and subsequently collaborated with Claude Bosi at Hibiscus.[3]
In 2014, Ashenford released the cookbook Flavour, which contains recipes from 5 North Street and was edited by Andy Richardson.[4]
Description
The exterior framework of the building dates back over four centuries. The restaurant accommodates 28 guests and features an unusual floor plan that includes cellar access through a trapdoor located in the women's restroom.
Reception
Food critic Matthew Fort praised the menu for its straightforward yet impactful dishes, highlighting items such as pigeon with bubble and squeak alongside pork belly served with mushy peas. He awarded the establishment a score of 17 out of 20, and his review is displayed within the restaurant.
In 2004, critic Jay Rayner described the cuisine as "evolved and refined," noting consistency throughout the tasting menu courses but expressing reservations about the duck ravioli pasta and the temperature of the parfait. By 2013, Matthew Norman characterized the restaurant as "deliberately unfussy," though he found some dishes overly complex. He commended the lemon verbena brûlée but concluded that while it is a solid dining option, it does not fully achieve greatness due to a mismatch between atmosphere and kitchen performance.
As of 2014, 5 North St retains one Michelin star, an accolade it has held continuously since 2004.
External links
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedashenfordopens - ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedmarcone - ↑ "Marcus McGuinness, Hibiscus, London". The Staff Canteen. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
- ↑ Flavour: Recipes from Restaurant 5 North Street. Template:ASIN.