Every year, food establishments in the UK are awarded the AA Rosette scheme.
Created in 1956, the rosettes aim to assess the quality of the food served by restaurants and hotels.
A number at Tayside have received accolades and here we focus on those who have received 2 or more rosettes.
According to the AA Restaurant Guide, success or failure in earning rosettes is based on one or more visits by an AA inspector to a hotel or restaurant.
About 10% of the country’s restaurants are of a level worthy of a rosette and above. Two rosettes are rated excellent, three outstanding, four among the best in the UK and five the pinnacle.
Tayberry to Broughty Ferry
2 rosettes
Tucked away in a quiet street near the Broughty Ferry esplanade, the Tayberry is run by chef owner Adam Newth.
Serving contemporary Scottish cuisine over two levels with its beautiful coastal setting, the restaurant is named after the soft fruit that was first grown in the Dundee area and named after the River Tay.
Local distillery Redcastle has also worked with The Tayberry to create a range of liqueurs including Adam’s Tayberry Gin and Tonka Bean Rum.
Address: 2594 Brook Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, DD5 2EA
63 Tay Street – Perth
2 rosettes
Overlooking the River Tay, 63 Tay Street was established in 2007 by local chef Graeme Pallister.
The light and airy restaurant celebrates the Scottish pantry and serves everything from light lunches to indulgent tasting menus.
Courier restaurant critic Murray Chalmers said of 63 Tay Street: ‘Chef-patron Graham was the only person cooking in his kitchen the day we visited and yet the food arrived without issue.
“The service was excellent – friendly, knowledgeable and proud of what they offer, as they should be because this place has it all.
“63 Tay Street is such a delight.”
Address: 63 Tay Street, 63 Tay Street, Perth, PH2 8NN
63 @ Parklands – Perth
2 rosettes
Graeme Pallister of 63 Tay Street is also Executive Chef of 63 @ Parklands, part of the Parklands Hotel in Perth.
Offering a fine dining experience, traditional and new dishes can be found on the menu – and the food is complemented by the hotel’s beautiful surroundings.
Dishes such as wild garlic risotto, pan-roasted guinea fowl, and smoked salmon with mesquite are offered alongside wine flights.
Address: The Parklands Hotel, 2 St Leonard’s Bank, Perth PH2 8EB
North Port – Perth
2 rosettes
Andrew Moss and his wife Karen opened the North Port restaurant in 2014.
Housed in a beautiful 18th century stone building that once housed sailors, Andrew runs the kitchen while Karen handles reception and marketing.
The North Port team carefully selects all their ingredients and sources them from small local growers, ranchers and pickers.
And with mouth-watering offerings such as Highland Partridge, Monkfish Scrabster and Portmahomack Pork Belly, it’s easy to see why our restaurant reviewer said, “The joy of restaurant dining is distilled into this little gem.
Address: 8 North Port, Perth PH1 5LU
Deans Restaurant – Perth
2 rosettes
Serving up modern dishes that capture the flavors of the season, Deans has been feeding the people of Perth and beyond for over a decade.
Chef Jamie Deans cooks with local produce and foraged ingredients whenever possible.
The menu consists of dishes such as Newtonmore Venison Loin, Deans Orkney Gold Beef Burger and wild bramble creme brulee.
Address: 77-79 Kinnoull Street, Perth PH1 5EZ
Ballathie House Hotel – Stanley
2 rosettes
With a dining room overlooking the River Tay and the secluded surroundings of this historic country hotel, Ballathie is “quietly proud” of its rosettes.
With venison from the hills, game from the nearby forest and prime beef from local pastures, the cuisine celebrates Scotland’s bounty.
Head Chef Scott Scorer works with the finest produce from Perthshire and Scotland to create a new take on classic cuisine.
Lunch and dinner menus are seasonal to bring the best of the market or the catch of the day straight to customers’ plates.
Address: Kinclaven, Stanley, Perthshire PH1 4QN
Hotel Restaurant Knockendarroch – Pitlochry
2 rosettes
Chef Nick Imrie has been cooking at Knockendarroch since 2016. His modern Scottish menus change daily and use seasonal and local ingredients whenever possible.
The dining style is casual and the hotel has had its rosettes since 2014.
In September 2020, the hotel added the Orangery Restaurant, which added additional dining space and allowed for social distancing.
Due to the compact nature of the restaurant and kitchen, the largest reservation possible is for six people (residents only). Non-residents may reserve a maximum table size of two.
Address: Higher Oakfield, Pitlochry Perthshire PH16 5HT
Gordon’s–Inverkeilor
3 rosettes
Not far from the beautiful surroundings of Lunan Bay, Gordon’s has been producing quality cuisine year after year since its inception.
Run by chef and Courier columnist Garry Watson, the restaurant with rooms is a family business.
Garry’s mother, Maria, is in front of the house. Her father, Gordon Watson, died in 2016. He was a former master chef from Britain.
Now Garry continues the tradition of providing fine dining at this 3 AA Rosette establishment.
Address: Main Road, Inverkeilor, by Arbroath DD11 5RN
Bistro Sandeman at Fonab Castle –
3 rosettes
In the heart of Perthshire, Fonab Castle is a five-star hotel with stunning views over Loch Faskally.
Sandeman’s Bistro serves up familiar classics with a twist. There’s even a tantalizing seven-course tasting menu with the sommelier’s fine wine selection.
Address: Foss Roadd, Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH16 5ND
The Strathearn to Gleneagles–Auchterarder
3 rosettes
Set in the opulent surroundings of the Gleneagles Hotel, The Strathearn offers a French-Scottish dining experience.
The glamorous art deco dining room adds a touch of class, with the kitchen embracing the contemporary as well as the classics.
Executive chef Simon Attridge has created a menu with dishes such as braised artichoke barigoule and Strathearn steak, while sommelier Paul Stibbles can guide guests to their perfect wine pairings.
Address: Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire PH3 1NF
Restaurant Andrew Fairlie in Gleneagles – Auchterarder
4 rosettes
Also located within the Gleneagles Hotel, Andrew Fairlie’s name is synonymous with catering of the highest quality.
Andrew, who passed away in 2019 following a long battle with cancer, built his restaurant’s reputation on exceptional food and service.
Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles is also the only restaurant in Scotland to hold two Michelin stars.
The team, led by Head Chef Stephen McLaughlin and General Manager Dale Dewsbury, take great pride in continuing to evolve the restaurant and serving the finest Scottish ingredients.
Address: Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire PH3 1NF
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