In a quaintly picturesque British village called Ramsbottom, just beyond the confines of Manchester proper, there lives a man named Chris Johnson who is, quite simply, the epitome of a gourmand restaurateur. As well, Mr. Johnson is a raconteur – and to dine at Ramsons Restaurant, Mr. Johnson’s gourmet restaurant, is to experience an amalgam of Italian cuisine and some of Britain’s best regional fare.
According to Mr. Johnson – and there is much about a meal at Ramsons that is “according to Mr. Johnson” – the smell of garlic in early spring permeates the countryside around Ramsbottom and the restaurant is named for that wild garlic that thrives in the area.
One afternoon in late summer, a four-course meal, with wine pairings, commenced with a twice-baked leek and ricotta soufflé, followed by a garden pea and spinach soup, drizzled with truffle oil. There was also a carnaroli rice risotto, with Parmesan crust, and dressed salads and vegetables, as well as seasonal British or Italian cheeses, and an apple crumble cheesecake. If, by chance, you feel that this is not enough, there is also what Mr. Johnson describes as Ramsons’ “most indulgent” menu, a gourmet tasting menu of ten strictly seasonal tastes of the chef’s choice.
The restaurant has a loyalty program, which is entirely in keeping with the restaurant’s popularity amongst locals, as well as Mr. Johnson’s fellow gourmands who travel serious distances to eat, again, at Ramsons.
In another life, it’s possible that Mr. Johnson was a theatre impresario – but we are fortunate that, in this life, he is one of Britain’s most gifted restaurateurs.
LINK: Ramsons Restaurant
