A RESTAURANT in Beverley has been named one of the top 100 places to eat in the UK.
The Westwood, in New Walk, fought off tough competition from more than 4,000 restaurants across the country.
Judges analysed more than 340,000 reviews from diners on the UK's largest online restaurant booking service Open Table.
The family-run restaurant is one of only eight establishments in the North of England to win a coveted spot on the list.
Twins Matthew and Michele Barker, 39, opened the fine-dining restaurant in 2007.
Mr Barker, who is the restaurant's head chef, said: "We're so pleased to have won this award because, instead of coming from a food critic, this comes directly from our diners.
"It's really rewarding to hear that people love our food and love the atmosphere we have worked hard to create.
"We're very lucky to have developed a loyal customer base here in Beverley, with diners who return week after week."
The brother and sister were inspired to join the restaurant trade by their parents who ran the former Rockingham Arms, a gastropub, in Pocklington.
After travelling the world working for legendary chefs, including Alain Ducasse and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the pair returned to their native East Yorkshire to embark on their own adventure.
Mr Barker said: "The restaurant business is in our blood and it's what we have been doing all our lives.
"Beverley has been an excellent place for us to start this restaurant.
"Although it is an historic market town, new things seem to be happening all the time and we have seen our business grow steadily every year since we opened."
Many restaurants struggle to make it past their first year in business and Mr Barker says the secret to success is offering a consistently good service.
He said: "It's not as easy as it looks – owning a restaurant is hard work and you have to be prepared to put in very long hours if you want it to be a success."
Mike Xenakis, managing director of OpenTable, said: "The reviews left by diners on our site are an invaluable resource for those seeking culinary inspiration, and it is this expert feedback that we mine to compile the top 100 list.
"We're proud to celebrate with these restaurants, and give them and their head chefs the recognition they deserve."
