Four star Murrayshall Country Estate is offering a Festive Sunday Lunch menu without the crackers and hats.
When I went to try out the understated but stylish country house hotel near Scone, it was all about the food, the service and the atmosphere.
Sitting in the comfortable surroundings of the Lynedoch Brasserie, it was a world away from the commercial bustle you’d associate with going out for a Christmas meal. Sure there was turkey and Christmas pud but there was subtly and innovation too.
The hotel sits in an enviable elevated position with uninterrupted views of snow capped distant hills and not so way off, the spires of Perth ’s stone skyline visible through the dining room’s generous west-facing windows.
Andrew serving us, ensured we got a heads up for perfect wine to fit the choices we made and pointed my husband to a Moretti beer to savour while our first course was being prepared.
I’m so glad we were joined by our two children as the table for four offered the opportunity to try absolutely everything on the menu.
I had hot smoked salmon to start, braised beef with winter veg, followed by crème brulee.
He had butternut squash soup, cod fillet with mussel sauce and berry compote Christmas pudding.
Big sister went for goat’s cheese and beetroot leaf salad, sweet potato cottage pie and the cheese selection.
Number Two scoffed the chicken liver pate, enjoyed the turkey roulade with bacon wrapped chipolatas and polished off the apple and pear crumble topped with apple sorbet.
Nearby diners seemed to favour the very nicely presented festive main and like us, were delighted by the simple four-choice approach to the menu that had something delightful for every taste and mood.
My 15-year-old hadn’t paid attention when ordering and had not understood she’d ordered the veggie option, “cottage pie – is that not mince?” but didn’t feel the meat-free lentil and sweet potato bake was lacking in either flavour or texture.
My salmon starter was perfectly portioned, a nest of tempting pink flakes set off by a touch of vinaigrette-glazed cucumber and mange tout.
I kept nudging for my husband to share his dish but he granted me just a fork to trifle with. His cod was perfectly cooked, plump and rewarding.
My beef was melting and delicate, having been slow-cooked with earthy roots and roasties.
Not only was there excellent cheese in the selection but the oatcakes, charcoal wheat crackers, quince jelly and chutney accompanying them provided both classic and contrasting taste combinations.
Despite having left no dish untried (or unfinished) we were neither soporific or weighed down, just felt royally indulged. Having a dog waiting patiently for our return to the car provided the perfect excuse to take a frosty sunset walk as the December day turned into dusk, lighting Murrayshall’s grassy parkland and the unbeatable Perthshire countryside in startling apricot rays.
Murrayshall dates back over 400 years. The stately house was the former home of Lord Lynedoch.
With 40 sophisticated rooms and suites, it is a hideaway that’s full of natural tranquillity. Outside are 27-holes of parkland golf and a range of activities to take up across the surrounding area.
The Festive Sunday Lunch in the brasserie cots two courses for £25 and three courses for £30.
http://www.murrayshall.co.uk info@murrayshall.co.uk 01738 551171
