L'Ortolan
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Richard Sandford |
| Defunct | August 2024 |
| Headquarters | Shinfield, Berkshire , England, United Kingdom |
| Products | Fine dining cuisine |
L'Ortolan was a fine dining establishment located in Shinfield, just south of Reading in Berkshire, England. It ceased operations permanently in August 2024. The venue occupied a Grade II-listed building, originally a vicarage from the 1840s, which had lost its uppermost floor due to fire damage sustained during World War II.
The restaurant initially opened in 1978 under the name Milton Sandford, founded by chef Richard Sandford, and achieved its first Michelin star in 1982. Ownership later transferred to Nico Ladenis, who renamed it Chez Nico; however, he departed within a year in 1986. Subsequently, John Burton-Race assumed control, rebranding the establishment as L'Ortolan and earning two Michelin stars by 1988.
Following Burton-Race’s 13-year leadership, Peter Newman acquired the business in 2000 and appointed Alan Murchison as head chef. Murchison left in 2003, with Daniel Galmiche briefly taking over before Murchison returned in 2004 as executive head chef with an option to purchase the restaurant. Murchison stepped down in 2014, after which Newman resumed direct management. James Greatorex was named head chef in 2020 and remained until June 2024 when Jamie Pierce took over. The restaurant announced its closure only one month after Pierce’s appointment.
From 2003 until losing its Michelin star in 2022, L'Ortolan consistently held this prestigious rating and maintained three AA rosettes as of 2023.
External links
- "Alan Murchison Restaurants Ltd in liquidation" (26 November 2013) by Amanda Afiya and Neil Gerrard at The Caterer
- Alan Murchison Restaurants Limited at Gov.uk