AA Restaurant of the Year for Scotland 2007-2008

Earlier in the year, the sleepy village of Eddleston (near Peebles) was in the news when the community celebrated the Quincentenary of The Eddleston Bell.

Now, the focus is on The Horseshoe Inn for at the AA Hospitality Awards held in the Balmoral, Edinburgh on Monday 1st October 2007, our Partners, Patrick Bardoulet and Vivienne Steele received the AA Restaurant of the Year for Scotland 2007-2008 and 3 AA Rosettes; as Owners, we are absolutely delighted that the efforts of the Team have been recognised in this way.

Each year, the AA independently inspects hundreds of restaurants across the British Isles; whilst the standard of cuisine is at the very heart of the selection criteria, innovation, ambience, service and hospitality are all part of the equation that determines the eventual winner of the much coveted "Restaurant of the Year" Award. To quote the AA on their synopsis of The Horseshoe:-

"First impressions of this Restaurant with Rooms are one of a pristinely refurbished property that has been decorated with flair and panache to create a haven of luxury, taste and style.

The restaurant is very much the focus, but deep sofas in the lounge allow guests to warm their toes by an open fire with drinks before dinner, and an eye-catching, smart bistro provides an appealing alternative to the more formal Bardoulets Restaurant. A quick scan of the menu immediately highlights two important factors. A strong seasonal approach and well sourced ingredients indicate that dishes are driven by nature's larder.

The second point is that pricing is extremely fair and reasonable. The cooking style reflects a French chef who has been classically trained, but has evolved over time to create a unique and welcome fusion of established artistry and modern science. The wine list offers depth and breadth with an eclectic and global selection aimed to satisfy most pockets and, more importantly, complements the menu."

The award of 3 AA Rosettes is testament to the abilities of Chef Director, Patrick Bardoulet and his team in the kitchen for this award is predominantly all about the "food-on-the-plate"; to quote the AA:-"This award takes The Horseshoe "into the big league" where expectations of the kitchen are high; exact technique, flair and imagination must come through in every dish, and balance and depth of flavour are all-important".

Restaurants awarded three, four or five AA Rosettes represent "The Top Ten Per Cent" of the restaurants in their Guide; with only 3 Restaurants in Scotland having 4 Rosettes and 22 having 3 Rosettes, we are now in esteemed company and the only establishment in the Scottish Borders to have attained this special status.