A local independent brasserie has come up trumps after being named as double runners-up in the national Observer Food Monthly Awards.

Lussmanns Fish & Grill, which has restaurants in St Albans, Harpenden and Hertford, picked up Heston Blumenthal-made edible trophies in the categories of Best Ethical Restaurant and Best Cheap Eats, representing readers’ choices for ethical dining and great places for a meal under £15 around the country.

Since their creation in 2003, the Observer Food Monthly Awards have championed the best in British food and drink, from independent local producers to the UK’s most admired chefs, and this year’s awards were presented at a gala ceremony co-hosted by Great British Bake Off presenter Sue Perkins.

Owner Andrei Lussman said: “It’s fantastic to see our Hertfordshire restaurants joining the top tier of the UK dining-out scene once again.”

On top of these latest awards, Lussmanns has been recommended in The Good Food Guide since 2010, champion welfare-driven British producers and is a member of the Sustainable Restaurant Association.