Earlier this month I went back to Scotland and again spent some time in Edinburgh. this time it was just a 2 night stay but on the first night I decided to return to The Balmoral Hotel on Princes Street where I had the most amazing afternoon tea in June. I arrived about 20 minutes before my table was booked for and was escorted to the bar to wait. I had a look at the cocktail menu and was struggling what to choose. In the end I went for The Balmoral French Martini which was made with the house infused raspberry vodka, chambord, pineapple juice and decorated with raspberry puree. The martini was so lovely I just had to have a second!
Whilst I was looking at the menus and deciding what to choose from the amazingly lovely sounding menu I was served some bread with the most delicious pesto. I’m a huge fan of freshly baked bread. One thing I’ve never tried to make myself is pesto. Considering all you need to do is pop a few ingredients in a blender it seems ridiculous that I’ve never tried to make my own. I’m craving fresh homemade bread right now!
For my starter I picked the hand dived tarbert scallop which was served with crisped Ayreshire pork, apple and watercress. The Scallops were cooked to perfection. I am a huge fan of seafood; lobster, crab, scallops, prawns and salmon are huge favourites. The pork just melted in the mouth and was so full of flavour and the tangy apple gave the dish that bit of spark and complimented the scallops and pork amazingly.
For mains I choose the Darne of Argyll salmon with mashed potatoes and hollandaise sauce. Th salmon was moist and so tasty and the hollandaise sauce was so rich against the creamy mash.
For desert I choose the cheese board which was a selection of 5 cheeses served with oat cakes and biscuits along with a chutney and jelly jam. I think this was just what I needed to round the meal off as the other choices were a little on the sweet side. The cheeses chosen were all lovely and had great flavour that was complemented by the biscuits and chutneys.
Finally the meal was rounded off by a chocolate and shortbread.
For a fine dining meal I found it was relatively priced and the food was locally sourced.
Oh my gosh this looks amazing!! Thanks for sharing!
Wow that looks delicious (especially the shortbread at the end…yum)x
The food looks so amazing!! Can’t wait to try this place!!
Lindsay | http://www.lindsaydavison.co.uk
Oh my goodness I could have tucked in to every single plate of food you photographed! And the place looks totally amazing 🙂
Wow that looks absolutely delicious! You always choose the nicest looking places. x
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That martini! How beautiful is that pattern on the top? I’d be afraid to drink it!
Sounds like a lovely meal 🙂
Looks delicious. I lived in Edinburgh for years and always wanted to try the Balmoral. I was an impoverished student at the time though so no chance. May have to have a return trip x
Oh yum! I really want to go to Edinburgh. More so now!!
Waw it’s amazing food
OMY I am now soooo hungry having read that lovely post (great photographs)
I LOVE the Balmoral. It’s right in the heart of Edinburgh and walking through the doors is like going back in time.
JIll x
Looks amazing! Somewhere I’ve not been yet (and I live in Edinburgh!) My favs include Martin Wishart, Mark Greenaway and Castle Terrace.