Four Scottish restaurants have been awarded AA Rosettes in the programme's 2022 awards today.
The newly awarded restaurants are Dean Banks at The Pompadour in Edinburgh, Tamburrini & Wishart in Balloch, The Auldgirth Inn in Dumfries, and The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant in Crieff.
Three Rosettes, which all four Scottish locations were awarded, indicates 'outstanding' restaurants that 'demand national recognition well beyond their local area'.
A total of 15 British restaurants received three Rosettes this year whilst two locations received four.
The AA Rosettes are national awards dating back to 1956 wherein five Rosettes marks the top reward.
"We are delighted to recognise those restaurants that are achieving the highest levels of gastronomic excellence in our country," said Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media.
"Congratulations to all those working at these establishments, who continue to show the breadth and quality of the British culinary landscape."
AA Rosettes are determined by one or more visits by an AA inspector to a hotel or restaurant.
The awards follow two Scottish restaurants getting awarded a Michelin star last month.
The Scottish restaurants awarded AA Rosettes in 2022
Dean Banks at The Pompadour, Edinburgh
In June 2021, Chef Dean Banks took over The Pompadour restaurant set in the Caledonian Hotel, noted by the AA as one of the 'most impressive in Britain'.
The best tables feature views over Lothian Road and up to Edinburgh castle, making a fine setting for Banks' seasonally evolving tasting menus.
The AA commented its superb use of local produce and the 'intensely' sensory experience from dishes with king scallops, Loch Etive trout and smoked lobster from St Andrews bay.
Tamburrini & Wishart, Balloch, West Dunbartonshire
The luxurious Cameron House hotel is home to Paul Tamburrini and Martin Wishart's now three Rosette restaurant.
The AA remarked that the chefs' thought and imagination led to 'first class' food in a modern Scottish style with influences from Tamburrini's Italian background.
The restaurant's 'accuracy' of cooking, flavours and technical skills were commended.
Aberdeenshire lamb main course with barbecued aubergine, black curry and yoghurt comes recommended alongside a noteworthy wine list.
The Auldgirth Inn, Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway
You can enjoy fine dining in the 500-year-old Auldgirth Inn that's been praised for transforming locally sourced produce into contemporary cuisine with an innovative touch.
The AA pointed out their 'bold and ambitious' dishes as crafted with a good balance of flavour and clarity.
The open plan kitchen is a focal point in the restaurant, as well as a dry ageing chamber showing off the local beef and game on the menu.
The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant, Crieff, Perth & Kinross
Part of a working distillery, Glenturret Lalique Restaurant is all high gloss wood, stone tops and heavy carpets.
Of course, the AA says their whisky bar is incredible whilst the service is formal and French yet friendly.
The cuisine here is noted as highly skilled, precise modern European cooking with a Scottish focus.
What's recommended here is starting with the 'remarkable' tattie scone, autumn truffle, raw wagyu beef and Baerii Platinum Caviar, then moving on to a langoustine, buttermilk and Daurenki Tsar Imperial caviar 'mini-taco'.
The AA also endorsed the 'intriguing' Kumquat Penicillin palate cleanser and 'The Sweetie Box' dessert.
