Restaurant Taster Menus - recommendations.

[scaffoldingtheworld]

Has anyone got any recommendations?

My gran has given DH and I money for a night away and I think we’d like to book a restaurant with a taster menu as something completely different. Usually we are with the kids so meals out usually factor in a burger or fish and chips.

I’ve seen Dean Banks at the Cale in Edinburgh and there is Six by Nico but I wonder if anyone has any other recommendations. We are based centrally so can travel a bit.

I find restaurants usually get in touch a week or so before to confirm and ask about allergies etc so I could let them know then.
If they don't, I'll give them a quick call to let them know.
Not drinking alcohol shouldn't be a big deal, but I know in can be in some situations and I don't want it to spoil our experience.

I once saw Tom Kitchin throw a boot out of the side door at his restaurant in Leith in a temper! Couldn’t quite believe who and what it was but was with DH at the time who confirmed. This was a few years ago so recent allegations are no surprise.

Have had the tasting menus Martin Wishart’s and Mark Greenaway’s and both excellent choices.

@IHaveBrilloHair

We don't want alcohol free pairings, just water, I'm hoping they'll be fine with that, we really are there for the food. (We do drink, but both hate wine, I'm driving anyway and we are happy with water)

I would be very unhappy indeed if any restaurant mentioned here raised an eyebrow at people not drinking. Shouldn't be an issue, ever.

Wedgwood on the Canongate, lovely.

@NoYOUbekind
It absolutely shouldn't, but I've heard it can be.

I’ve never ever had an issue with not drinking alcohol in nice restaurants. Certainly wine pairings are always totally optional.

I'm a bit wary of these boycotts having been on the end of a social media campaign by a disgruntled employee who didn't understand that accepting a full time job meant that she had to turn up 5 days each week, every week.

Must admit to being put off the Dean Banks dine at home deliveries when I read a review where the response to a reasonable sounding complaint was "Good night, Karen.". Her name wasn't Karen.

I’m not doing boycotts.

Doesn’t really help the staff

He didn't deny it, nor did he apologise.
I couldn't go and feel good about it.

Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles has a Degustation menu, similar idea to a Tasting menu.
The food is sublime and the atmosphere sophisticated.
We’ve loved our visits there for special occasions.
Andrew was a gentleman and his team have been with him for years so I would have no concerns about how staff are treated.

@WouldBeGood

Doesn’t really help the staff

Not does taking their tips but I don't want to derail the thread.

Hope OP has a lovely time and lets us know how it is.

Just to add, I've never had a problem with not ordering alcoholic drinks at a restaurant.

Melton's in York was amazing! They do a matching wine flight too

meltonsrestaurant.co.uk/menu/tasting-menu/#_main

Neither have I @Tinkletwat but it was at The Kitchin!

Don’t agree with poor behaviour @Tinkletwat, but not sure a boycott helps the workers.

UmpeenthTime - I completely agree, Restuarant Andrew Fairlie is our absolute favourite - stunning food, great atmosphere and amazing staff.

We had the privilege of meeting Andrew in the kitchen a number of years ago - it was an incredible place, rather quiet and pretty small, but with a real positive buzz around it. When we remarked how strange that seemed, Andrews response was that any member of his team could walk out his kitchen into a new job any time they wanted so why wouldn't he treat them with decency and respect.

Definitely on my wishlist

Chefstable near Ripon is out of this world

Station Road at The Lovat, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness. The food tastes fabulous and is also a work of art.