�A Clerkenwell restaurant has been given one of the greatest honours in the culinary world – a star in next year’s Michelin guide.

North Road, in St John Street, which received the award last month when the 2012 list was revealed, specialises in the Nordic cuisine.

The guide said: “The owner/chef’s Danish roots are evident in the clean crisp cooking, which uses the sous-vid technique, little or no butter or cream and is fully respectful of seasons.”

Boost

Christoffer Hruskova, head chef at North Road, said: “It was very emotional for me. It’s something I have wanted for a long time in my career.

“When we opened, our goal was to get a star within two years, so to get it in 10 months is very good news. We are over the moon.

“It has been a great boost for the restaurant already. We have almost doubled the amount of customers and the midweek days, which used to be quiet, are now very busy.”

Islington now boasts two Michelin-starred eateries, with St John, also in St John Street, having the honour.

Only the City of Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea have more.

The borough is also well represented in the Bib Gourmand category, which represents good food at a moderate price.

Comptoir Gascon, in Charterhouse Street, Farringdon, 500, in Holloway Road, Archway, Medcalf and Morito, both in Exmouth Market, Farringdon and The Drapers Arms, in Barnsbury Street, Barnsbury, all have the Bib Gourmands.

Bib Gourmands

To complete Islington’s strong showing, the borough had nine boozers listed in the pub eating out guide.

The only blot on the local culinary landscape was Metrogusto, in Theberton Street, Islington, which had its Bib Gourmands taken away.

n The Michelin Hotel and Restaurant Guide for Great Britain and Ireland and the Eating Out in Pubs Guide for 2012 are available now.