EAT
Scottish Borders Based Food Site.
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Where to eat...
Main Street Trading Company. Deli, and Cafe (& Bookshop)
St Boswels. Scottish Borders.
WOW! A New Deli, exciting gourmet treats, a real 'find'. looks so fresh and inviting!
Pastrami Sandwich for lunch, Yum!
The last time I was here was a snowy day and I had this mind-blowing soup: Mushroom, Almond, & Sherry. Original and quite excellent. I will now make this place a reguar!
Floors Castle Terrace Cafe. In the grounds of Floors Castle. Kelso.
This Cafe is situated near the Plant Centre, and not many people know that it is open all year, even though The Castle itself is only open during 'season'. Another little known fact is that, you do not have to pay entry to the Castle to ONLY visit The Cafe or Plant Centre.
I go there to feed my soul, as well as my garden.
I love, absolutely, love the Rare Roast Beef Sandwich here. A great hunk of Beef is prouldly displayed in the chiller cabinet and it makes my mouth water every time I See it!
I also love the soup which is superior quality and always served with a mini 'loaf', baked and served in a Terracotta
Plant Pot. No doubt, a quirky nod to the adjacent Plant Centre.
Fantastic Deli, stocking high
quality treats.
Always a warm welcome!
All the food is cooked on site, by The Duke of Roxburghe's personal chef.
They have always had outstanding Scones, but have added new French Style Patisserie Goods. Not the type of cake you find in most small Scottish Deli's. A welcome addition, and one that reminds me of being taken to Maision Bertaux in Soho, London, as a child.
The first room you see, ia a clam, and elegant oasis.
... A tranquil venue by day.
THE COLLINGWOOD ARMS
Cornhill-on tweed (a few hundred yards from Coldstream.)
A romantic venue by night.
The very best restaurant in The Borders at the moment is The Restaurant in The Collingwood Arms...
The Collingwood Arms. The best in locally sourced ingredients.
The Brasserie is informal and outstanding, but I prefer The Restaurant, and I will tell you why. Walking through the front door always fills my soul with a welcome ‘calm’. Have a drink by the bar, to prolong your excitement if you wish. I however, prefer to have my drink in the restaurant, soaking up its exquisite tranquil ambiance. It has serenity, combined with a modern, elegant Country aesthetic, which really does dissolve your stresses away.
This is yet another place that is food for the soul as well as the body.
They always bring an amuse bouché, normally three exquisite palate-teasers, beautifully executed. This alone, signals that you are not anywhere less than perfect. What impresses me the most is that this place is consistently perfect. That matters. Especially here in The Borders. I have eaten at many other places where it was good, but on a return visit, really, really dreadful. Consistency in a restaurant is important, and this place delivers, time, and time again.
I opted for the pate starter, served with a beautifully l handmade fresh chutney. Followed by the juicy and rare (how I like it!) Rib-Eye, which was served with a Diane sauce on the side. The recommended Shiraz was a perfect choice. There is a time for a good Steak and a glass of Red this was one of those times, and it was excellent!
My Vegetarian friend, started with the bruschetta with a chilled tomato and red onion ‘salsa’, which she thought was refined, and refreshing. To follvery suitably impressed.
Her desert was a Coconut and Lime Cheesecake which was pleasantly light, and also refreshing, with a good balance of creaminess.
The chef is skilled. I advise you all to go. I know I have said it before, but remember I will NOT, put places on this page that are in any way a let-down. Too much of our money goes on experimenting with new places to find some of them a dreadful, disaster. This place really does shine
ow she had an exquisite Butternut Squash dish, and was very suitably impressed.
Her desert was a Coconut and Lime Cheesecake which was pleasantly light, and also refreshing, with a good balance of creaminess.
The chef is skilled. I advise you all to go. I know I have said it before, but remember I will NOT, put places on this page that are in any way a let-down. Too much of our money goes on experimenting with new places to find some of them a dreadful, disaster. This place really does shine
Ondine Restaurant & Oyster Bar. Edinburgh. (the very best for seafood)
Just for the record, I am no pushover when it comes to Lobster. My first introduction to this crustacean was at the tender age of 7. I was taken to English's in Brighton and instructed by the chef how to tackle this formidable beast. Ever since I have eaten them in many a Country, and STILL find Ondine a breathtaking joy!
Ondine Restaurant. I was lucky enough to be treated to a birthday meal in Early January. The Lobster Thermidor with chips & Champs was simply PERFECT in every way. If you only go to one seafood restaurant, then go here!.
The Scottish Blue Lobster
The Restaurant
The sleek Oyster Bar.
BIRDHOUSE TEAROOM at Woodside Plant Centre
How can I extol wonderful places to eat in The Scottish Borders without mentioning the Woodside Garden centre café, between Jedburgh & Ancrum.
This place is an absolute Joy, a delight for all the senses… Pleasurable surroundings, and delicious food, what more can you want on a day off.?
I always opt for one of their outstanding sandwiches. A treat, I look forward to since I have limited my bread intake.
My friend had the soup, and absolutely loved it.
Their slice of Carrot Cake, has to be the best anywhere. The cream-cheese frosting, flecked with lime zest, manages to be both comforting and refreshing simultaneously.
They also ‘spotlight’ a local, seasonal ingredient which we can buy in plant form, and take home to inspire our own culinary delights. When I was last there it was Rhubarb’s turn. This changes weekly, keeping us in touch with what is local, seasonal and fresh.
The staff are welcoming and friendly. (I would hardly recommend a place where they were not!)
Birdhouse Tearoom has everything you want from a homely café. Go at once!
Birdhouse Tearoom Woodside Plant Centre. Between Jedburgh & Ancrum.
Great soup !
And sandwiches...
how friendly are they?...
a diner fascinated by the birds.