Tag Archives: The Scotsman Hotel

Afternoon Tea at The Scotsman Hotel’s North Bridge Brasserie.

ScotsmanHotel_AfternoonTea

The Scotsman Hotel commands stunning views over Edinburgh from it’s North Bridge location, and provides an Afternoon Tea to match even for those with particular dietary requirements.

As a ceoliac I follow a gluten free diet and although that is much easier to do so when supermarkets provide an ever increasing range of foods, eating out can be more hit and miss. Usually resulting in a dish simply missing certain items rather than a replacement added or substitute thought of.

Which is why I was so pleased to hear the North Bridge Brasserie has created a gluten free afternoon tea available alongside their regular option. As you can see from my sketch the three layered display was packed with tasty mouthfuls and beautiful creations. So much so my dining partner let out a ‘wow’, as the food arrived, not a sound usually heard when the gluten free option is unveiled.

Each of the miniature courses had been thought about too, sandwiches on both rye and wholemeal bread that was soft and well made. Both the Mull cheddar and Herb Scone and the classic Freshly Baked Fruit Scone with Butter, Clotted Cream and Selection of Preserves were extra ordinary treats, greatly appreciated by this non wheat eater.

Afternoon Tea at the North Bridge Brasserie is priced at £19.95 per person or £24.95 with a glass of Prosecco. See the website below for more details and to book.

 

The sketch was drawn in fine liner, with a watercolour wash.

 

North Bridge Brasserie website

The Scotsman Hotel website

 

Fine Scottish dining at the Scotsman Hotel

TasteofScotland_MenuThe North Bridge Brasserie within the Scotsman Hotel offers an exquisite five course ‘Taste of Scotland’ menu.

I’m a huge fan of good food, and all things Scottish so when I heard that chef Paul Hart had combined the two in a fine dining multi – tasting experience,  I had to try it… and sketch it.

We began with perfectly cooked, hand dived Orkney scallops. Followed by haggis neeps and tatties, then Loch Etive seatrout and Shetland mussels. We travelled the country, all from our North Bridge Edinburgh base.

The finale (just as Mrs Sketcher and I thought we could fit in not a morsel more) was perfectly chosen. The Granny Smith apple and savarin cheesecake was light as a feather, the accompanying sorbet so refreshing.

Head Chef Paul combines locally sourced ingredients at their freshest,  and is constantly tweaking and adapting his menu to suit the seasons. In my sketch above I have tried to describe all five courses of a superb Scottish dining experience, but there is no substitute for tasting the real thing and for that I suggest booking a table at the link below.

 

The North Bridge Brasserie website

The Scotsman Hotel website

 

Five star lunch in central Edinburgh

ScotsmanLunch_sep14The North Brasserie at the Scotsman Hotel on North Bridge, Edinburgh has a delicious lunch menu available from £14.50.

Here in Edinburgh we are lucky enough to be surrounded by world class local food and drink producers, providing ingredients to, amongst many others, Paul Hart the Executive Head Chef at The Scotsman Hotel.

 

His lunch menu is constantly evolving and changing depending on his ingredients, the Scottish seasons, what local suppliers have foraged… and what local markets and farmers produce for him. I visited recently and enjoyed a lunch fit for a King, without the prices to match. Here are my sketches from the day.

 

The lunch menu is available 12-2pm, priced at £14.50 for 2 courses, £19.50 for three.

 

North Bridge Brasserie website.

 

Edinburgh at Christmas

EdinburghChristmasLast week I published my first sketch video, this week the sketch and 150 limited prints are available to buy.

 

From the Barron Suite on The Scotsman Hotel’s seventh floor I had a superb view of Edinburgh’s Christmas festivities on Princes Street, from the Big Wheel on the left to the new for 2013 Star Flyer on the right, and standing central the Scott Monument.

 

Shrieks of laughter and screams of joy could be heard floating over the Waverley Station, as darkness fell and the hundreds of lights from various rides and attractions shone bright.

 

The original ink sketch with watercolour wash measures 297x210mm, roughly 11x8inches and is for sale for £150. Prints will be limited to 150 high quality giclee prints on heavy fine art paper, and are £25 each. Click HERE to order or have a look through the Shop above.

 

Time-lapse video: An Edinburgh sketch at Christmas

A time-lapse video of myself sketching from The Scotsman Hotel on Edinburgh’s North Bridge over looking Princes Street and all the Christmas festivities.

 

My ink sketch with watercolour wash shows Edinburgh’s Christmas festivities well under way, from the big wheel on the left to the Star Flyer high above the shops on the right.

Thanks to The Scotsman Hotel for allowing access to the impressive Barron Suite on their seventh floor. From my amazing view point I could see right along Princes Street as the crisp winters day turned into night and the Christmas lights changed the scene entirely.

The accompanying song is by singer song writer, Stephanie Kirkham. Follow the link below to hear more of her beautiful melodies.

 

 

Gluten free, afternoon tea

Yesterday I was lucky enough to sample the new gluten free Afternoon Tea on offer at the luxurious Scotsman Hotel on Edinburgh’s North Bridge.

As a ceoliac I know the frustration of having my choices limited on a menu, usually having a my selection made by the ingredients used rather than what I feel like eating. There was no such disappointment yesterday afternoon as everything on the pretty three tier tower of delicacies on offer were all free from wheat.

Together with Genius, the company who supply Starbucks with their gluten free bread, the Scotsman Hotel have created a menu wide ranging selection, from the various sandwiches on the bottom deck through the chocolate and ginger cakes right up to the maccaroons on top, and all were delicious, even for my non ceoliac wife.

The hotel itself is gorgeous inside,  I hope to return soon to sketch the interiors. So whether on a gluten free diet or not head along there now for some yummy afternoon bites in beautiful surroundings.

For more about The Scotsman Hotel click HERE, and for more on Genius click HERE.