April 15th

Oh What a night...!  Robb saw an advertisement for a Champagne Dinner at a little restaurant about five miles from here.  What caught his eye was that this dinner was held on April 15th, our wedding anniversary.  Ever the romantic and knowing my love for the bubbly he made reservations months ago for us to have dinner.  Now I admit I am a foodie, and love nothing better than eating my way through life, but this was even better than I could have expected.

THE PEAT INN, FIFE

The Peat Inn is owned by award winning Chef and columnist Geoffrey Smeddle and his wife Katherine. With Geoffrey at the heart of the kitchen and Katherine’s warmth and care filling the restaurant, they have been successful in building on the very fine reputation of one of Scotland’s most cherished destinations.
The Inn has existed on this spot since the 1700s. Today, this award winning restaurant with rooms continues to welcome guests who appreciate the special and very personal experience which is the hallmark of The Peat Inn.

Some of the Awards they have received are

 

• AA Restaurant of the Year 2011
• Three rosettes in the AA Restaurant Guide
• Awarded one Michelin Star in the Michelin Guide 2010
• 6 out of 10 The Good Food Guide 2010
• Hotel Review Scotland - The Scottish Restaurant with Rooms of the Year 2009
• Hotel Review Scotland - Lunch Excellence Award 2009
• 5 Star Restaurant with Rooms, Visit Scotland 2010

This was one of those dinners where the wine is included in the price, most assuredly beyond our means in the normal way of things!  Since we paid one price for dinner including the champagne it wouldn't have been possible to taste these special blends otherwise.

Before the meal began we gathered, rather closely, in the lounge and learned about four different types of champagne.  We sampled two "non-vintage" (aged over a minimum of 15 months)  and two "vintage"
(aged over a minimum of 3 years).  Since my exposure to Champagne has only once included a bottle of Dom Perignon but mostly the inexpensive bubblies at the local market this was a heavenly experience.  One of the bottles we sampled of a vintage can be purchased locally for a mere £143.00 or in $'s about 230.00 per bottle.  This dinner far surpasses my Chocolate Cake and Champagne that I love for my birthday.

The Menu for the night was.                                                                            
Aperitif with canapes
Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV -   Store price  £ 33.99
Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Rose NV- Store price £ 54.39
Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Vintage 2000 - Store price  £ 64.69
Champagne Charles Heidsieck Blance des Millenaires Brut Vintage 1995 -Store price -£143.19

Olive oil poached cod, parsley puree and salad of young parsley and clams
Champagne Po/Roger, Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) Brut Vintage 1999 -Store price £55.65

Poached langoustine, braised calamari, spiced mussels, purple sprouting broccoli
and warm cucumber
Champagne Thienot Brut Rose Reserve NV -Store price £38.99

Roast Saddle and confit flank of lamb with wild garlic, artichoke and rosemary jus
Champagne Michel Drappier Brut Vintage (jeroboam- four bottles in one) -Store price £30.00

Pineapple parfait with coconut sorbet and pineapple jellies
Champagne Louis Roederer Carte Blanche Demi-Sec NV-Store price £35.00

Coffee and Petits Fours
Served with Charles Heidsieck Brut Vintage 1989 (jeroboam) -  no price given!

One of those times when the parts come together and made the whole so much more Memorable. 
Oh what a night...

CHEERS!

Love to all,
Dawn