玫瑰与蓟酒店 Alwinton

A sonnet is a 14-line poem, and so the culinary poetry here takes the form of 14 courses, each one crafted with real care by Chef Gary McDermott. He and his partner Claudia, a natural host, have created a deeply personal restaurant, with many of the dishes coming with a story attached and plenty of attention given to each of the eight tables. The cooking blends classic French techniques with some well-balanced preserved elements. In an endearing touch that is typical of the place, dinner ends with ‘Elevenses’ for you to take home and enjoy the following morning.

Melrose is certainly one of the more attractive towns in the Scottish Borders and Provender, situated down a passageway just off the main street, has become a part of its fabric now. If you're celebrating, then be sure to kick off with some Cumbrae oysters, before choosing from the selection of straightforward dishes that put prime Scottish produce front and centre. Look out, in particular, for the great use of ingredients from the local estates and producers, be it fish from the North Sea or crab and scallops caught off the coast of Orkney.

This welcoming former inn represents a return home for its self-taught Chef-Owner, who grew up in this Scottish Borders village and even worked in this place as a youngster. After a stint in New York City, he and his partner are back to run The Hoebridge as a simple, stylish restaurant serving flavour-packed, internationally influenced dishes. Quality local ingredients form the basis of the dishes, which are carefully prepared with an ambitious touch. Ebullient service adds to the welcoming feel of it all.