A YORK restaurant has been named one of the best in the country by a respected guide.

Le Cochon Aveugle, which is inside the bar walls in Walmgate, was the only restaurant in the city to make the Harden’s Best UK Restaurants, when it was listed at number 40.

Josh Overington, head chef, said the restaurant’s success is down to its uniqueness, including its blind tasting menu.

He said: “This is an accumulation of four year’s hard graft because we have always wanted to be at this level.

“It’s the first time we have been on the list and a surprise we went straight to number 40.

“We have only ever served a blind menu and the restaurant is tiny. 

“We do 25 covers and the food is different every day.”

A £385-a-head sushi restaurant in Mayfair, London, the Araki, is the best dining experience in the UK while Manchester is the fastest improving city for food lovers, according to Harden’s.

The Araki, which seats nine people and recently gained three Michelin stars, beat Bristol’s Casamia and The Ledbury in London in the poll of thousands of diners.