Gordon Ramsey Scrambled Eggs Breakfast
A great video clip on how to make the perfect Scrambled Eggs Breakfast – From “Gordon Ramsay Makes It Easy”.
Gordon Ramsey Scrambled Eggs Breakfast ~ Perhaps the best breakfast in the world
01403 800005
EXPERIENCE A ‘TASTE OF ASIA’ IN BRITAIN’S CURRY CAPITAL
New short break package showcases Leicester’s vibrant and colourful Asian culture, cuisine and spectacular Diwali celebrations
Visitors to Leicester now have a unique opportunity to experience a ‘Taste of Asia’ for themselves in the official Curry Capital of Britain. The Taste of Asia short break package has been put together by Leicester Shire Promotions to showcase the city’s vibrant Asian culture and exotic gastronomy, and this year, visitors can also enjoy the city’s Diwali celebrations – the largest outside of India.
Aimed at lovers of food and drink, the Taste of Asia package is the first of its kind in the Midlands and includes cookery demonstrations at some of the best Indian restaurants in the city, an Indian spice tour, kitchen viewings, and a guided walking tour of the city’s world famous Belgrave Road – also known as the Golden Mile. Belgrave Road is home to a large array of glittering silk, saree and jewellery boutiques, authentic Indian herb and spice stores, and some of the best Asian restaurants in the country. The package also includes huge discounts on superb hotels and Asian restaurants in the area. This year the short break package is being offered to coincide with Leicester’s vibrant Diwali celebrations at no extra cost. For more information on the Taste of Asia short break, visit www.goleicestershire.com
Leicester’s Diwali lights on Belgrave Road will be switched on at a special ceremony on Sunday 28 October. There will be more celebrations and a firework display on Cossington Street Recreation Ground on Diwali Day, Friday 9th November. The Taste of Asia short break will include a free guided tour of the festivities taking place in the Belgrave area, on either of these dates.
Martin Peters, Chief Executive of Leicester Shire Promotions, said: “The Taste of Asia experience is unique to the region and something of which we are very proud. The break provides a perfect reason for local people to invite friends and family to the city. We are often asked for ideas on how local residents can entertain visiting friends and family – the Taste of Asia break has something for everyone, especially fans of Indian cuisine. The inclusion of Leicester’s spectacular Diwali celebrations into the short break getaway will really offer something quite exceptional.”
Earlier this year and for the first time in the competition’s history, Leicester won the prestigious title of ‘Curry Capital of Britain 2007’. Organised by Menu Magazine, the annual competition has been running for seven years and is contested by 16 major UK cities.
About Diwali:
The Diwali festival, also called Deepavali, is a major Indian event that is observed by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs around the world. Known as the ‘Festival of Light’, Diwali symbolises victory of good over evil with lamps lit as a sign of celebration and hope for humankind. The city’s Golden Mile will be lit up with thousands of colourful lights and decorations to mark the arrival of the festival. Asian dancing and singing along with an explosive and colourful laser and firework display will add to the vivacious, vibrant atmosphere. For more information on the Leicester’s Diwali celebrations, organised by Leicester City Council and Leicester Hindu Festival Council, visit www.leicester.gov.uk/diwali
About Leicester Shire Promotions:
Leicester Shire Promotions is a private, not-for-profit company formed in July 2003 as a partnership between Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and the Leicester Shire Economic Partnership. The company is the Destination Management Organisation (DMO) responsible for promoting Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to visitors and investors, based on a coordinated place marketing strategy that focuses on destination leadership and coordination, attracting investors and visitors, services for investors and visitors, and services for the tourism industry. For more information, please visit www.goleicestershire.com
RESTAURANTS AND DINERS GIVE EXMOOR HORN LAMB THE THUMBS UP
Customers taking part in a survey of Exmoor Horn lamb, at four leading restaurants across Exmoor, gave it a big thumbs up and scored it nine out of ten for its eating quality.
The results of the survey were announced at a lamb tasting day, which was part of the Exmoor Food Festival staged, at the Culbone Stables Inn Porlock, by the Exmoor Horn Sheep Breeders’ Society. Visitors to the event were treated to delicious local Exmoor Horn lamb served in a Somerset mixed herb bap, specially created, by the Avenue Bakery Minehead, for the food festival and the lamb tasting day and was accompanied by roast potatoes.
In the survey, eight lambs from Exmoor farmer J R Richards and Sons were slaughtered and butchered locally by Combe Martin Meats and supplied to four leading restaurants across Exmoor who specialise in serving local produce. The participating restaurants, Andrew’s on the Weir, Porlock Weir, Exmoor Forest Hotel, Simonsbath, Tarr Farm Inn and Restaurant, Tarr Steps and Woods Bar and Restaurant, Dulverton, asked diners who chose lamb off the menu to complete a brief questionnaire at the end of their meal. The table below (Table 1) shows how the results from 107 completed survey forms compared across the four restaurants.
TABLE 1 – Results Presented Anonymously
Restaurant A B C D
Appearance 9.0 9.3 8.6 9.6
Tenderness 9.6 9.4 9.2 9.3
Succulence (juiciness) 9.6 9.6 8.6 9.5
Flavour 9.8 9.4 8.7 9.5
Overall Impression of your Lamb Dish 9.6 9.7 8.8 9.7
From the results it can be seen that there was a very high degree of satisfaction among diners surveyed at all four restaurants.
When the results are averaged across all restaurants and dishes served, the following overall results are obtained and are presented in Table 2.
TABLE 2 – Overall Results
ATTRIBUTE SCORE
Appearance 8.7
Tenderness 9.1
Succulence (juiciness)8.9
Flavour 8.9
Overall Impression of your Lamb Dish 9.0
One of the restaurants surveyed also distinguished between their results and compared a roast lamb dish prepared from leg of lamb and a dish prepared from the boned out loin. The results of this comparison are shown in Table 3.
TABLE 3 – Comparison of Two Different Lamb Dishes
Dish Roast Leg Loin
Appearance 9.0 8.7
Tenderness 8.6 9.7
Succulence (juiciness) 9.4 9.3
Flavour 9.0 9.2
Overall Impression of your Lamb Dish 8.8 9.3
“These results reinforce what many of us who eat Exmoor Horn lamb have known for years, that lamb produced from this breed that is naturally reared in its native surroundings is very special and tastes absolutely fantastic,” commented Ian Rigby, the Society’s Meat Marketing consultant who organised the survey. “We are now working on developing an Exmoor Horn brand for both lamb and mutton so people will be able to identify and buy these meat products in the future,” concluded Ian.
Exmoor Horn sheep and their ancestors have roamed the hills of Exmoor for centuries and have long been prized for the eating quality and flavour of its lamb and mutton. At the beginning of the last century the meat was much sought after by some of the most prestigious restaurants in London. As farming systems changed and became more intensive, however, with the post war quest for cheap food, traditional breeds like the Exmoor Horn became less popular and numbers declined.
Exmoor farmers never lost faith in their native breed and through a strong breed society, formed over one hundred years ago, they have improved the breed and maintained commercial numbers to the current level of 19,000 registered breeding ewes.
The Society’s Chairman, Pauline Lyle, is quick to point out that:
“though a long standing traditional breed, the Exmoor Horn is in no way a rare breed and when crossed with a Bluefaced Leicester ram the resultant Exmoor Mule is considered to be one of the most productive sheep around.”
The Exmoor National Park Authority has also recognised the importance of the breed as an integral part of Exmoor heritage in awarding the society funding to maintain and increase flock numbers on the moor, through the Exmoor Sustainable Development Fund.
La Cerisaie Gastronomic Restaurant, Céret, France
Graham Smith of Surrey recently contacted us with a nice idea – why don’t we create a regular feature of Restaurant Business Cards – especially the more unusual ones. It was a new one on me, but Graham is a collector and sent us in one of his favourites for our first feature: A business card from La Cerisaie Gastronomic Restaurant, Céret, France
So do you know a restaurant with an unusual business card – or perhaps you are a restaurant owner with a UNIQUE card. If you are, we would love to hear from you and of course we will give you a review here.
La Cerisaie – A Gastronomical Restaurant where you can savour cooking full of southern flavours and appreciate a candlelit dinner in a romantic atmosphere.
Chef, Gérard Perreau, proposes a sophisticated and creative meditterannean menu.
Menu Découverte 31 €
Fondant d’Aubergines aux Saveurs Méditerranéennes,
et son Coulis de Tomates Fraîches
Or
Marbré de Saumon et Epinards aux Crevettes
Emulsion de Poivrons Jaunes
ccc
Pavé de Cabillaud Poêlé et son Fumet de Crustacés
au Piment d’Espelette, Mini Ratatouille et Flan de Courgette
Or
Coq en Velours au Vin de Maury et ses Nouilles Fraîches
ccc
Sélection de Fromages Affinés et Chèvres du Vallespir
Or
Savarin à la Banane sur Crème de Rhum et ses Tranches d’Ananas Rôties
Or
Petits Pots de Crème Brûlée, Café Expresso, Praliné et Touron
Tuile Dentelle aux Agrumes
Hôtel restaurant La Terrasse au Soleil
rte Fontfrède 66400 Céret
Tel : 04 68 87 01 94 – Fax : 04 68 87 39 24
http://www.terrasse-au-soleil.com/en/index.php
La Terrasse au Soleil and its Gastronomic Restaurant “La Cerisaie” is our first Featured Business Card – if you are a restaurant with an unusual business card or perhaps you have picked up an unusual card, then we would be delighted to receive a copy of the card – for possible future inclusion on our website.
Contact us by email at: dine@dine-online.co.uk OR send card to Dine Online. 5 The Azure Suites, Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex, BN16 3DA, UK
Benja – Royalty-inspired traditional Thai cuisine
With a menu fit for a king, Benja brings a genuine taste of Thailand to the London restaurant scene
The Benja experience is based on hundreds of years of Thai tradition, with comfort and intimacy in equal measure. Welcoming and friendly staff provide unrivalled hospitality, and the grandiose surroundings are unpretentiousness, and stay true to the regal associations of the restaurant.
Opulence is a theme that spreads through the building courtesy of interior designer Ou Baholyodhin drawing on the colours of the polychrome eighteenth century ceramics used by the Thai royal family. The red, black, green, turquoise and yellow can be seen through the rich furnishings and décor of the restaurant. It is these five colours of ‘Benjarong’ that are the inspiration behind the name of the restaurant, and it is no coincidence that the food is as beautiful and delicate as the immaculate porcelain from which the name comes.
Spread over three floors in an old Soho town house, Benja has a relaxed and cosy feel that comes with a total capacity of sixty coves. The dining areas are located on the ground and first floors, while the bar on the lower-ground level provides the perfect pre and post meal location; serving a range of authentic Thai cocktails that are made using methods and ingredients that are faithful to Thai convention.
The bar is a truly elegant hideaway that makes the perfect setting for all occasions from romantic dates to after work drinks; it serves from a separate menu with a range of smaller choices, so also acts as a stand alone venue.
Head Chef ML Kwantip has created dishes that have been tried and tested on Thai royalty from her family’s role as official chefs to the Thai palace. With credentials enforced by her role as guest chef at Bangkok’s internationally renowned five-star Shangri-La Hotel, ML Kwantip is also a columnist for Thailand’s distinguished women’s magazine ‘Ploy Gam Petch’ where she presents her trademark mouth-watering dishes.
She ensures that Benja’s cuisine matches exactly to her standards of taste and presentation by using freshly prepared produce and ingredients that she has checked first hand. One example of this is ML Kwantip’s version of Pad Thai, which stays true to its South East Asian origins, and is prepared indigenously using tamarind rather than European substitutes such as tomato or chilli sauce.
The chef prides herself on having delicate recipes that she insists are followed to the letter and upheld at all times.
Benja is open Monday to Saturday:
Lunch 12:00 – 14:30
Dinner 18:00 – 22:30
Address:
Benja,
17 Beak Street,
London, W1F 9RW
Tel: 020 7287 0555
Email: info@krua.co.uk
Benja brings freshness to the Thai dining experience with a meticulously planned menu that marries painstakingly researched local produce and suppliers with a distinctively genuine taste of Thailand. This sets the restaurant apart from other Thai restaurants that have hackneyed adaptations of Thai dishes.
A concise choice of dishes that regularly alternate means that rather than experiencing an inconsistency that is commonplace on expansive menus, every dish meets the same high standards. It also means that there is no signature dish at Benja as all offerings deliver gastronomic excellence, and customers will have the opportunity to sample less obvious and well-known dishes.
Krua Ltd Managing Director and owner of Benja Kriangsak Vorakoondumrong commented:
“I have created a restaurant that is true to Thai heritage and custom. It gives those that have never experienced Thai eating a learning experience that they will never forget, and for people who are regular Thai eaters, I would invite them to sample food that they will acknowledge replicates the best in fine Thai cuisine.”
Benja head chef ML Kwantip added:
“I have been in the kitchen ever since the age of three when my mother first put a rolling pin in my hand. My Thai cooking is unique in that it uses simple recipes and methods which mean that they are easy for my kitchen staff to prepare; however all the dishes deliver a sophisticated taste that is straight from Thailand.”
Benja is available for corporate hire and party bookings, as well as reservation. Rates are available on request.A lunchtime menu is also available, offering set meals from the main menu at special prices.
Mint Leaf Restaurant & Bar | Celebrity Packed After Show Party For A Country Wife
Mint Leaf Restaurant & Bar plays host to crème of the acting world
The crème of the acting world descended upon Haymarket’s exclusive dining and drinking venue, Mint Leaf Restaurant & Bar, last night, at the aftershow party to celebrate the premiere of the acclaimed West End production, A Country Wife.
Mint Leaf was the perfect venue to host the star-studded aftershow party, and guests such as Dame Judi Dench, Aidan Gillen and Patricia Hodge were among the glitterati to be treated to sumptuous canapés created by Head Chef, Ajay Chopra, and signature cocktails put together by in-house Mixologist, Darko.
A recent addition to the map of London’s hippest landmarks for elegant dining and drinking, Mint Leaf opened its doors in 2003 and has rapidly taken lead in the race for the city’s top Indian restaurant.
A popular hangout for London’s glitterati, and featuring a high celebrity count among its guest list that includes Halle Berry, Kate Winslet, Keira Knightley, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Kevin Spacey, Mickey Rourke, Kelly Osborne, Kim Cattrall, Brooke Shields, Kelly Brooks and Matthew Perry, Mint Leaf translates authentic Indian cuisine to a stylish, contemporary setting, with the addition of a spectacularly long bar that provides the backdrop for a vast array of exquisite cocktails and home grown drinks such as their infamous Vanilla Vodka.
Mint Leaf, Restaurant & Bar, Suffolk Place, Haymarket, London SW1Y 4HX. Tel: 020 7930 9020. Website:
www.mintleafrestaurant.com
PING PONG RESTAURANT – EAT AND DRINK LIKE AN EMPEROR
The excitement surrounding the arrival of China’s legendary Terracotta Army at the British Museum this autumn is contagious. Displaying a dozen soldiers from the First Emperor’s mausoleum for the first time in the UK, the exhibition is an unmissable opportunity to witness one of world’s most famous archaeological finds. To honour this momentous occasion, 21st century teahouse and dim sum emporium, Ping Pong, have created something else worth discovering – two new dim sum specials and a decadent cocktail to celebrate the event.
Inspired by the tantalising idea of undisturbed wealth in Emperor Qin Shihuangdi’s unopened tomb, The First Emperor’s Treasure is a new delicious dim sum of salmon and lime leaves topped with trout eggs. For those wanting more, the Qin Shihuangdi Dim Sum is a regal dish of scallop, prawn and pork with lumpfish eggs guaranteed to unify everyone in praise.
The Elixir of Life plays homage to the fabled potion that was desperately desired by Qin Shihuangdi. A heady concoction of muddled lime leaves with vodka, plum wine, lemon juice and a splash of apple, this must-try cocktail may not promise eternal life but is a delicious start to an afternoon’s exploring or an evening of conquests. A non-alcoholic mix of muddled lime leaves with lemon and apple juice is also available.
Only available for a limited time, hurry to Ping Ping to savour the First Emperor specials before they become legends themselves.
www.pingpongdimsum.com
The Twenty First Century Teahouse
Dim Sum • Tea • Cocktails
Special Note:
The first Ping Pong restaurant opened on Great Marlborough Street in May 2005. There are now seven restaurants in central London including James Street, Paddington Street and Eastcastle Street all in W1 as well as Westbourne Grove in west London and most recently, Festival Terrace at the Southbank Centre. For full location details, please visit www.pingpongdimsum.com. Ping Pong operated a no-reservations policy. First come first served except for parties of eight or more.
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon | One of Californias most age-worthy Cabernets
Dear Oenophile,
It appears that we are cornering the Diamond Creek market, one of California’s most age-worthy Cabernets. Check out this unbelievable list of half bottles, bottles, magnums, and three-liters at great prices! There is even a magnum of the ultra rare 1994 Lake Vineyard, which has only been produced 9 times since 1972 and each time there were less than 100 cases (the vineyard is less than an acre, and the spacing is three times wider than modern day plantings see first picture).
We visited the winery two weeks ago and went on a tour of the four vineyards, the lake, waterfalls, parks and rose gardens. It was absolutely stunning and we learned about what makes each vineyard different and special. The second picture below is taken from the deck of the winery and directly below is Red Rock Terrace, then beyond the swimming pool is Volcanic Hill, to the left of the pool is where Gravelly Meadow lies. Despite the close proximity the vineyards are to one another the varied nuances of each wine is spellbinding!
Cheers! Whitney & Kari, Benchmark Wine Group, 707-255-3500, sales@benchmarkwine.com
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Lake Vineyard 1994 1.5L ~ 1 @ $1200 WS93 original wood crate (Ultra Rare, less than 100 cases produced in only 9 vintages)
Gravelly Meadow Vineyard: 5-acre vineyard, laden with rocks and pourous soils, tends to display the strongest earthy characteristics.
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 1981 ~ 3 @ $86
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 1982 1.5L ~ 1 @ $169 depressed cork, pierced capsule
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 1986 ~ 11 @ $98 WS92 very top shoulder or better
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 1986 1.5L ~ 1 @ $179 WS92 heavily corroded capsule
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 1988 ~ 11 @ $94
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 1988 1.5L ~ 4 @ $119 oxidized capsules
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 1989 ~ 7 @ $66
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 1989 ~ 5 @ $66 slight bin soiled label
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 1989 1.5L ~ 9 @ $126
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 1989 3L ~ 1 @ $299 oxidized capsule
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 1989 500ml ~ 14 @ $44
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 1990 375ml ~ 10 @ $39
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 1991 ~ 4 @ $89
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 1993 ~ 13 @ $75
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 1998 ~ 2 @ $123 ST92, WE93
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 2001 ~ 1 @ $119
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 2003 ~ 6 @ $138 WS93
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow 30th Anniversary 2002 ~ 1 @ $128 R
Red Rock Terrace Vineyard: 7-acre vineyard with northern exposure, the wine tends to be more elegant than the other vineyards, usually a concentrated wine with big fruit, cedar, herbs.
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace 1988 ~ 6 @ $65
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace 1988 1.5L ~ 4 @ $129 oxidized capsules
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace 1989 ~ 9 @ $69 bottom neck or better
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace 2001 ~ 3 @ $119 WS91
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace 2003 ~ 7 @ $138 WS94
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace 2004 ~ 2 @ $151
Volcanic Hill Vineyard: 7-acre vineyard, Southern exposure, planted on volcanic ash, the most tannic and powerful, spicy, smoky characteristics, the most lively personality out of the three.
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 1981 ~ 3 @ $76 WS91
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 1982 ~ 2 @ $89
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 1982 1.5L ~ 1 @ $165
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 1983 ~ 2 @ $65
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 1983 ~ 3 @ $61 very top shoulder
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 1986 ~ 22 @ $97 very top shoulder or better
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 1988 ~ 23 @ $65
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 1988 1.5L ~ 1 @ $129 wrinkled label
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 1988 1.5L ~ 3 @ $129 slight oxidized capsules
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 1989 ~ 14 @ $59
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 1989 1.5L ~ 9 @ $139
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 1989 500ml ~ 14 @ $39 very top shoulder or better
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 1992 ~ 3 @ $105
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 1993 ~ 8 @ $77
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 1998 ~ 1 @ $127 WS94
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 2001 ~ 2 @ $150 WS94
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 2003 ~ 6 @ $138
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 2004 ~ 4 @ $126 WE94
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill 30th Anniversary 2002 ~ 7 @ $159 RP92, WS91
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill Microclimate 3 2001 ~ 2 @ $171
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill Microclimate 4 1991 ~ 1 @ $193 WS93 (Only 50 cases made)
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill Microclimate 4 2003 ~ 2 @ $167 owc
Cheers! Whitney & Kari, Benchmark Wine Group, 707-255-3500, sales@benchmarkwine.com
A Review Of 1861 – The Best Restaurant in Abergavenny – By Sarah Wright
1861 Restaurant
Cross Ash,
Abergavenny,
Monmouthshire
Tel: 0845 388 1861
We visited this new restaurant on the 8th September, whilst on
holiday. Apparently it has only been open for 2 months, but the food and
service were outstading.
The chef trained with the Roux brothers and then worked for Martin Blunos in Bath,
he has brought everything he knows along with his wife to this restaurant.
The wine list was a good all rounder and surprisingly reasonable with the excellent house wines at £ 15.00.
Their menu was slightly different with a selection of choices but priced
at £ 26.50 for 3 courses, ( not including service). However, we were
surprised by the extras, we were given a smoked chicken appetizer, and a
chilled fruit soup before dessert, both were very welcome . The
atmosphere was friendly but still attentive.
1861 Restaurant
Cross Ash,
Abergavenny,
Monmouthshire
Tel: 0845 388 1861
Experience the Coastal Beauty of Campbeltown
As Christmas approaches bringing with it cooler days and nights, a trip to Scotland doesn’t necessarily mean wrapping up in winter woolies. Indulge in a warming dram of whisky, mixed perfectly with some of the most temperate climates with which the country is blessed, with a visit to one of the hidden corners of Scotland, Campbeltown.
Situated near the Mull of Kintyre in Argyll, Campbeltown is the largest town in Kintyre with a population of just over five thousand. With its dramatic coastal views and close proximity to the Gulf Stream, Campbeltown generally enjoys higher temperatures than the UK average. This gives the town a tropical ambiance with many of the streets and gardens being scattered with palm trees, making it an ideal destination for a getaway at any time of the year.
The 1st hole of Machrihanish Golf Course has been voted to have “the best opening hole in golf” by golf architects and players, with an elevated tee on the edge of the shore and the fairway following the beach
Boats and whisky have played an important part in the history and economy of Campbeltown, with locals still thriving on the sea as shellfish remains a speciality. The resurgence in distilling is reflected with the town being home to both the oldest family owned distillery in Scotland, and the newest.
Springbank Distillery is unique in being the oldest independent family owned distillery in Scotland, and distillery tours are available by appointment from Monday to Thursday from April through to September. It is highly recommended to take the chance to see how the malt is produced in the only distillery in Scotland to carry out the full production process on one site with traditional floor malting, maturation and bottling all done in Campbeltown.
The first new distillery of the millennium; Glengyle Distillery was opened in March 2004, signifying a momentous event for the town and the whisky industry as a whole. Visitors are welcome at the modern, compact distillery, which produces Kilkerran Single Malt, scheduled for the first bottling in 2012. Whilst in such close proximity to Spingbank, the two distilleries could not be more different, representing the old and new in terms of when they were opened and the production techniques which are used.
Balinakill Country House Hotel provides the ideal accommodation for those who wish to escape from it all. The historical grade B listed mansion house dating from the 1890s is surrounded by six acres of beautiful grounds and some of the most picturesque highland scenery, with views looking out to the hills of Jura and Islay beyond. The hotel is the perfect base for exploring various areas of Kintyre, with ten individually furnished en-suite bedrooms. The restaurant offers guests an intimate dining experience in tasteful surroundings, with a menu created using the finest local produce. Creating a unique menu which encompasses the freshest local ingredients with which the areas is blessed, chef and proprietor Angus Macdiarmid has recently been awarded an AA Rosette.
After sampling quality cuisine and tasting the delights of the ‘water of life’, keen golfers can enjoy a game at the Machrihanish Golf Course, an outstanding natural 18 hole course well known throughout the world. Voted to have “the best opening hole in golf” by golf architects and players, with an elevated tee on the edge of the shore and the fairway following the beach, the course is situated on the Kintyre Peninsula, testing even the most experienced player. Due to wind temperatures, strengths and directions changing quickly, no two games will ever be the same.
Recently named one of the top 100 golf courses in the world by GOLF magazine, and listed in the top 100 golf courses outside the USA by the Golfer’s Digest, Machrihanish is one of the worldwide courses included in PerryGolf exclusive golf tours. Described as ‘magnificent and elusive’, the course is links golf at its best located at the southern tip of The Mull of Kintyre. PerryGolf offer both custom and grand touring of exceptional quality on some of the best courses across the globe and particularly in Scotland, the home of golf.
The Whisky Coast is a company formed through collaboration between sixteen distilleries, three tour companies, eighteen hotels, restaurants, golf courses and attractions on the West Coast of Scotland. The Whisky Coast aims to raise the profile of the West Coast as an area blessed with a high concentration of distilleries against the backdrop of a dramatic rugged coastline.
For more information regarding The Whisky Coast visit www.whiskycoast.co.uk
To book a tour in the area visit www.rabbies.com or www.scotsell.com, or to book a golf tour visit www.perrygolf.com
The sixteen distilleries who are members of The Whisky Coast are:
Springbank Distillery, Campbeltown
Glengyle Distillery, Campbeltown
Isle of Arran Distillery, Arran
Ardbeg Distillery, Islay
Bowmore Distillery, Islay
Bruichladdich Distillery, Islay
Bunnahabhain Distillery, Islay
Caol Ila Distillery, Islay
Kilchoman Distillery, Islay
Lagavulin Distillery, Islay
Laphroaig Distillery, Islay
Isle of Jura Distillery, Islay
Oban Distillery, Oban
Tobermory Distillery, Mull
Ben Nevis Distillery, Fort William
Talisker Distillery, Skye
Associate members of The Whisky Coast are:
Perry Golf, Helensburgh
Scotsell, Glasgow
Rabbies, Edinburgh
Turnberry Resort, Turnberry
Balinakill Hotel, Campbeltown
Auchrannie Resort, Arran
Port Charlotte Hotel, Islay
Harbour Inn, Islay
Crinan Hotel, Lochgilphead
Isle of Eriska Hotel, Oban
Kinloch Lodge, Skye
Hotel Eilean Iarmain, Skye
Culloden House Hotel, Inverness
Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, Inveraray
Crannog Restaurant & Sea Island Cruises, Fort William
Three Chimneys, Skye
Loch Fyne Whisky, Inveraray
Machrihanish Golf, Campbeltown
Machrie Hotel & Golf, Islay
The Majestic Line, Dunoon
Torosay Castle & Gardens, Mull
Whisky Coast is sponsored by:
Highlands and Islands Enterprise Skye and Wester Ross
Argyll and The Islands Enterprise
Lochaber Enterprise
VisitScotland
North Ayrshire Council
Caledonian MacBrayne
Highland and Islands Airports
Loganair
Scotch Whisky Tourism Initiative
The Whisky Coast encourages responsible drinking and supports the Drinkaware Trust which campaigns and educates to reduce alcohol misuse and minimise alcohol related harm
Instrumental in the formation of The Whisky Coast, ScotlandWhisky is a partnership between the Scotch Whisky and Tourism industries it seeks to utilise Scotch Whisky’s global reputation to promote Scotland as a high quality leisure destination and improve the visitors’ experience of Scotch Whisky. It is supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, The Scotch Whisky Association, The Scotch Whisky Experience and VisitScotland.
Featured Posts
More Content We Like
Gifts For Foodies!
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Blenders, Mixers & Food Processors
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Kitchen & Home Appliances [Hot!]
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Categories
Tags
afternoon tea
artisan pizzas cooked in wood fired oven
BELLEVUE RENDEZVOUS
Benares
British Food Fortnight
Celebrity Chef
Celebrity Chef Lesley Waters
Chef
Christmas
Christmas Pudding
Club Gascon
Combal.Zero
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Ed Miliband
Eric Lanlard
Giles Looker
Gizzi Erskine
Healthy Eating
Heston Blumenthal
Identità London
Le Bouchon Breton
Lesley Waters
Levi Roots
LONDON
LONDON BAR
London Restaurant
Master Pâtissier
Meena and Kirit Pathak
National Vegetarian Week
Nutritionist
Phil Vickery
Restaurant Review
Sir Gulam Noon
SOHO
Sophie Wright
St Paul’s Restaurant
Sweet Things
The Baglioni Hotel
the Blues Kitchen
The Cinnamon Club
The Mall Tavern
VALENTINE'S DAY
Vinopolis
wine expert
World Food Awards