UK pub grub 'better than French food'

Egon Ronay's 2006 Guide to the Best Restaurants And Gastropubs In The UK claims British pub grub is better than many traditional bistros in France.

He said pub staff gave customers a warmer welcome than 'surly' waiters on the other side of the Channel and often produced food of restaurant standards despite having 'cramped' kitchens and overburdened cooks.

The guide states: 'The great importance and the greatest difference from French bistros - which strike you as soon as you cross the threshold - lie in the immediate friendliness and heartiness of the welcome, often by the family of the proprietor.

Though around for some time they are a phenomenon having spread explosively with a surprisingly high standard of cooking and a warm-hearted atmosphere - altogether the biggest change in the catering scene in my 50 years' experience as a restaurateur and critic.'

Mr Ronay said it disproved French president Jacques Chirac's scathing comments about British food made during the battle to land the 2012 Olympics.

The guide names The Star in Harome, North Yorkshire, as Gastropub Of The Year 2006 and China Tang at The Dorchester, in London, Restaurant Of The Year 2006. Its findings are based on anonymous inspections of 430 gastropubs - which applies to pubs serving food and draught beer.