The Sun Inn – out of town but well worth the trip
The Sun Inn is yet another restaurant that had already set the bar high before our visit. A number of our friends had said it was marvellous and it had also won Scottish Gastro Pub of the year in 2011. Though it took us 20 mins to get there we had an inkling we wouldn’t be disappointed – and it is in the perfect location if you are heading out of Edinburgh on the A7.
The Sun Inn had a warm country pub feel, but looking at the beautifully presented food on the way to our table we knew this was more a gourmet experience than a slap dash supper at the local pub.
The menu read amazingly well with a mighty selection of interesting dishes from a Monkfish Scampi Caesar salad to Duck Breast, poached pears and Cashew mash. Celia, my companion and fellow taster for the evening, started with a delightfully light Mushroom Pithivier. I opted for some big juicy scallops; cooked perfectly and served on black pudding with some very tasty cauliflower cheese puree (Celia and I agreed the puree would even be delicious with a Sunday roast!)
For the main course the very attentive and charming waitresses delivered us a smoked haddock and leek gratin (I am reliably informed was delicious) and Lamb rump. Now this wasn’t any normal Lamb rump, as it also came complete with a lamb shoulder suet pudding! Suet pudding, if I am honest, is not something I eat regularly, but bulging with tender lamb shoulder, I am desperate to have it again!
Finally, after nipping upstairs to have a look at their very chic boutique hotel style bedrooms (complete with super-cool brass free-standing bath), we were ready for our pudding. Celia went for a berry medley of The Sun Inn home made ice cream, and I opted for the much more indulgent Rhubarb trifle. The trifle was stunningly presented in a glass jar with rhubarb sorbet, white chocolate mouse and mouth melting meringue.
All in all this was a delicious meal, tantalising our taste buds at every turn. The dishes were as interesting as they were appetising, and though this is perhaps not the cheapest of establishments it is in my view worth every penny. That said, they offer an array of early evening and Sunday menus which are cheaper, whilst not compromising on quality.
The Sun Inn Lothianbridge, Dalkeith 0131 663 2456
The Reporter Food reviewer, Holly Jones, is a partner in The Lifestyle Company Scotland You can follow the company and their lifestyle tips on Twitter
