REVIEW : Bistro Hotel Du Vin

I’ve been to Bistro Hotel Du Vin a few times now, and I have to say that they are just getting better and better. Their Spring/Summer menu is by far the tastiest I tried and the service is on point.

The Prix Fixe menu is packed full of delights, so join me as I take you through the menu. 2 courses for £19.95 or 3 courses for £24.95 means you’ll have plenty change to enjoy some of their fabulous wines on offer too.

Starters – A selection of Scottish Charcuterie with Arran Mustard

The meats ranged between spicy and sweet, fatty and chewy (all of which I love). This is a perfect sized starter for one.

Starter – Deep fried Howgate Brie with a rocket and walnut salad and a honey mustard dressing

Scrumptious breaded balls of gooiness filled with hot melted cheesiness.

Another well thought out starter, just sufficient to get the taste buds started. The rocket worked well with this bringing a little peppery edge to the cheese and the walnuts providing a wee crunch now and then.

Starter – Belhaven Smoked Trout with pickled cucumber and carrot salad

This is what the song of Spring. The colours and the seasonal vegetables combine to make one hellava dish. The smoked trout is just ever so slightly smoked; beautiful and flaky lying in tasty ribbons underneath the ever so lightly pickled cucumber and carrot ribbons. You wont take any vinegar or strong pickling liquid from it, its subtle and delicate retaining the crunch on those veggies.

Beautiful!

Mains – Highland Smoked Salmon Pappardelle with sprouting broccoli, peas and spinach in a creamy sauce.

Another stunning plate of food. This is food you just want to eat and eat and eat and wish that it never ended and that you never got full.

The pasta was al dente and silky, well seasoned and well coated in this delicious creamy sauce. The salmon was flaked throughout the pasta ribbons and there was plenty to allow for each forkful to contain pasta as well as salmon. Was gutted when we finished it!

Mains – MacSween Vegetarian Haggis Parcel with grilled goats cheese, spiced beetroot and lime relish.

I know I said the Trout Salad was the dish to try, but then I remembered this dish and this was by far my favourite on the menu which is strange as it was a vegetarian dish!

But I have realised that I am a true fan of goats cheese and beetroot. This dish ticks every foodie box going.

Crunch from the pastry parcels, soft peppery yumminess from the vegetarian haggis, a slight tangy and bite from the spiced beetroot and the creaminess from the goats cheese. Absolutely nothing to not like here!

Mains – Turriff Lamb Chops with Ramsay of Carluke’s famous black pudding mash and a mint Hollandaise

Lovers of lamb will rejoice. Soft, succulent, juicy, well flavoured, meaty lamb chops. Black pudding mash was really good and together a match made in foodie heaven. Not so much a Summer dish but then we are in Scotland when you still need a hearty belly warming meal mid Summer.

Wine – a lush red. Hubert et Fils, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône, France. Flavours of cherries, raspberries with leather and spice. Wine opens up nicely and pairs well with savoury foods so perfect for our full menu tasting.

Dessert – The Scottish Bee Company’s Heather Honey Cake with fresh raspberries

Love honey, love this cake. It’s not sweet but the honey flavour most certainly shines through. The cake is light and fluffy, and with an extra drizzle of honey, this makes a lovely way to end a meal.

Dessert – Glenkinchie Whisky Cream with orange jelly and chocolate tablet crumb

Auld Reekie Smoked Cheese with Arran Oates. Fine slices of strong Scottish cheese and crumbly oatcakes. Perfect.

Bistro Hotel Du Vin have outdone themselves with this menu. For a city centre venue that will impress time and time again, Bistro Hotel Du Vin, should definitely be on your must eat list.

Bistro Hotel Du Vin, 11 Bristo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 1EZ. Tel : 0131 285 1479 www.hotelduvin.com/locations/edinburgh

My Spoon Award : Tartan Spoon 10/10