Following my recent blogging hiatus, I thought a good way to kick off into April would be to tell you all about a brilliant Orcadian re-launch happening at the Skerries restaurant at the Dunstane Hotel in Edinburgh's Haymarket area.
I signed up to the Posh Agency newsletter after they were looking for interested bloggers on Twitter and received an email inviting people to this launch night. I was lucky enough to have my blog classed as good enough to attend. Whodafunkit? Anyway, it was lovely to be invited and I was excited to meet new chef, Paul Hood, meet new people and sample some lovely food and drink.
The Dunstane exterior
The Dunstane bar area
Frequent readers will know I am a sucker for all things alcohol based, especially wine and gin. I have to say, the staff from Posh Agency and the Dunstane were charming from the off. Their charm was aided by the offer of a Hendricks cocktail on arrival. I asked what it was. It was a simple blend of Hendricks gin, elderflower cordial and lemonade with a wedge of cucumber. Simple, but refreshing and delicious. A great and clever way to prepare your palette for the food that followed.
Hendricks cocktail on arrival
Again, frequent readers among you will know I am fond of my food. Indeed, some may even say I am a greedy cow, but that is just nasty. With that in mind, I didn't manage to get any photos of the food because I was too quick to gobble it down. That said, below there is a snap of the venison burgers taken by the photographer hired for the evening, Kevin McGarry (who, as it happens, has photographed many famous people! What a lovely man he was).
The event was branded as a "gastro night of delight with an Orcadian twist." It certainly lived up to its tag. The Orkney themed canapes included salmon with cucumber and caviar on toasted bread, mushroom and goats cheese pastries, venison burgers, steak burgers and some delight with Gressingham duck, which, unfortunately, I didn't get to try. If the teasers of food are anything to go by, Skerries have landed themselves with a surefire success of a new chef in Paul Hood. Being able to pack that much flavour into a small canape is no mean feat, but I certainly experienced many flavours, textures and temperatures that just made me want to keep eating. The salmon and venison were highlights. The samples worked; I will definitely be visiting Skerries for a meal in the near future.
Venison burgers - credit Kevin McGarry
Next up on our tour around the Dunstane was the wine tasting providing by Wine Importers. I'm a girl who only drinks red. On offer in the red department was a Shiraz, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon. I usually prefer a dry red, but the fruity and tangy Cabarnet was lovely and really tasty. It would go really well with one of those delicious venison burgers offered in the restaurant area. Really impressive for a house Cab Sauv. I have to give a shoutout to the man who was manning the wine table. We chatted for ages - I likely bored him - but he humoured me and kept my glass full. He even blended a rose for two girls we got chatting to. Great guy.
Wine tasting
Next up was whisky tasting! Being Scottish, I am ashamed to say whisky is not my bag in the slightest. The Dunstane and Posh arranged for a couple of guys from Glenfiddich to come along and hold blind tastings for tables of six. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. I think this was because I was told how to drink it properly. I prefer it with water too. What a heathen. Me being me, I picked out the most expensive one as being my favourite - the 18. It tasted like almonds and apples. delicious. I may now be a convert. Maybe.
Whisky tasting
All in all, a great night was had by myself and my friend. The Dunstane and Posh were so hospitable, friendly and enthusiastic. Their attitudes made for a really enjoyable evening which ensures myself, and I'm confident many others, will be back to sample Mr Hood's delicious delights when he is in full swing.
Thank you Skerries at the Dunstane and Posh!
Chef Paul Hood
Chef Paul Hood with Masterchef winner Jamie Scott - credit Kevin McGarry
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