LONDON, Sept 26 — Michelin inspectors in the UK were generous this year, bestowing stars to 14 new restaurants in their latest edition, including two in Scotland, two in Wales and two restaurants in which guests sidle up to counters for their meals.

In the 2015 edition of the Michelin guide for Great Britain and Ireland, inspectors awarded stars to a total of 167 restaurants and handed 14 eateries their first star — a designation that denotes “very good cooking in its category.”

Some of the notable new inductees include two restaurants in London which do away with traditional four-top tables and, in a more casual, laid back and democratic atmosphere, invite diners to draw up a seat at a counter.

At Barrafina, for instance, diners pull up stools to an L-shaped bar and tuck into modern Spanish tapas or small plates.

The restaurant in Soho seats 23 guests and takes no reservations.

At the back of a trendy restaurant in London called Bubbledogs, which pairs gourmet hot dogs with glasses of champagne, Kitchen Table serves a fixed tasting menu of 12 to 14 courses that revolves around a single main ingredient.

Other London restaurants to get one-star mentions include Indian restaurant Gymkhana, Jason Atherton’s City Social, Simon Rogan’s Fera restaurant at Claridge’s, and The Clove Club.

“The 14 new stars in our 2015 guide highlight the enormous richness and variety of the UK’s restaurant scene. They range from country pubs to hipster hangouts, from counter-restaurants to classic dining rooms,” said editor Rebecca Burr in a statement.

A total of 167 restaurants received stars in the newest Michelin guide, but the exclusive three-star club remains unchanged with The Waterside Inn, The Fat Duck, Gordon Ramsay and Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester holding fast to their triple stars.

Meanwhile, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa will not be pleased with this year’s results, given that inspectors stripped his two London restaurants Nobu and Nobu Berkeley Street of their single stars.

The Michelin guide Great Britain & Ireland 2015 is on shelves for £15.99 (RM85). — AFP-Relaxnews