For this edition of Baker’s Blog, we welcome back our Concierge, Tara Ryals, who has just returned from an exploratory mission across the pond. Take it away, Tara!
When it comes to the Good Life across the pond, the scene is always changing. Restaurants come and go, chefs are lured away, etc. – it’s a cycle that never ends. To ensure our suggestions still meet the high standards the Members of the Forces have come to expect, I’m regularly deployed across the pond by The Major to look in on the various restaurants, pubs, and other sites we recommend first-hand. As they say, it’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it…
Sometimes I’m saddened to find a restaurant I once loved has lost its luster, and adjust my recommendation accordingly. On the other hand, there are times where I’m delighted to find a new chef or owner has turned around a place that had previously gone astray. What I enjoy the most, however, is stumbling upon interesting new options that are oftentimes fresh on the scene.
This trip was certainly no exception, and I’m happy to return with a number of new discoveries for the 2016 golf travel season.
Edinburgh
My journey began in Edinburgh, where I had the pleasure of visiting Wedgwood for the first time. Located on the Royal Mile, chef Paul Wedgwood has quickly turned his dream restaurant into one of the top fine-dining establishments in the city. Begin the meal with fresh scallops from the Sound of Mull, and you’ll quickly see why the Sunday Times put Wedgwood on their top 100 list.
Let’s face it, golf and steak were meant to be together, and at the Rutland Hotel I found an outstanding option to round off that pairing. Kyloe specializes in “Gourmet Steak” which is locally sourced from the Aberdeen area, and their spacious dining room is perfect for hosting the post-round dinner. The 60 day dry aged ribeye and their signature wine – “Angus the Bull” – is a combination that is tough to beat.
East Lothian
My next stop was the golf rich region of East Lothian, appropriately nicknamed “Scotland’s Golf Coast.” After a tour of the Glenkinchie Distillery – a must visit for anyone looking to taste some of Scotland’s finest – I visited the Old Clubhouse in Gullane for lunch. As the name suggests, the restaurant once served as the original clubhouse for members of Gullane Golf Club, and serves up enjoyable fare in an atmosphere that is quintessential golf.
Just around the corner, I stopped into a restaurant that has made quite a splash in the little town of Gullane, cleverly known as The Main Course. This chic eatery features an extensive wine list alongside high end dishes with a dash of Italian flair. I wasn’t at all surprised to find it currently ranked #1 on TripAdvisor’s ranking of restaurants in Gullane… all 10 of them!
Troon
From East Lothian I headed west to the Ayrshire coast for a brief visit to Troon, home of this year’s Open Championship. After looking in on the Marine Hotel, I enjoyed dinner at Scott’s Restaurant & Bar. The ambience, service, and food are always outstanding here, and I was delighted to see that not much has changed. It’s the spectacular views along the coast and out to Arran, however, that are worth a letter home.
England’s Golf Coast
For the next and final stop of this journey, I made my way to Southport, England; home base for most of our groups playing the nearby Royals… Liverpool, Birkdale, and Lytham & St. Annes. The discovery of note here was Bistro Verite, which is perfect for small groups looking for a break from the pub fare throughout Southport. It’s a short £3 cab ride away in the Birkdale Village, and the French fare and accompanying wine is outstanding.
The final discovery I made on this trip was a visit to famed Anfield for a Liverpool soccer match. While I’ll admit to not being a close follower of the Premier League, the atmosphere was unlike anything else I’ve experienced in sport. Any group looking to take in a match and traveling early in the season (April & May) would do well with a visit to Anfield. Just make sure if you pick up a jersey in advance that it’s for the right team in Red.. The chaps in Liverpool don’t take too kindly to the other “Reds” up in Manchester.
And with that, my Marching Orders from The Major had been fulfilled. I enjoyed making these new discoveries, and look forward to recommending them to our Members of the Forces in the coming season.
Cheers to Golf and the Good Life in 2016!
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