'A night of pure indulgence and escapism' at Crossbasket Castle's glamorous speakeasy-inspired dining experience
Lanarkshire is now home to an unrivalled luxury cabaret venue which more than lives up to its titillating tagline "where champagne flows and anything goes". The Daily Record was invited along for a taste of Crossbasket Castle's unique new entertainment-led dining experience overseen by Michel Roux Jr at Trocadero's - part of its luxurious new £20million hotel alongside the existing five-star 15th-century fairytale castle owned by entrepreneur and philanthropist couple Alison and Steve Timoney. And it was a night of pure indulgence and escapism. Inspired by the iconic 1950s Hamilton dance hall, The Trocadero, and modelled on the glamourous speakeasy bars of the Roaring Twenties, velvet drapes are pulled back to reveal Trocadero's luxurious cocktail bar and romantic candlelit restaurant. With celebrity Michelin-star French chef Michel Roux Jr and top mixologist Panos Dimou running the operation, we knew we were in for a truly decadent experience. Starting off the evening with a Southside and classic Daiquiri cocktail served in one of the art deco-inspired booths, we were escorted to one of the best seats in the house for the main event. Poring over the high-end menu complete with Caviar Bar, Loch Ryan/Creran Oysters, Poached Half West Coast Lobster and delicious desserts on their petit gateau trolley, we selected a Beef Short Rib Crumpet and Shetland Crab to start. The slow cooked short rib fritter with celeriac remoulade whisky peppercorn sauce melted in the mouth and the white and brown crab meat with potato chips, mango and Remy Martin sauce was to die for. While savouring a delicious 700g Roasted Cote De Boef of Speyside Beef for two, grilled to perfection, we were treated to some live jazz followed by a dazzling dance display by Trocadero's hugely talented 'flapper girls' before the house band had the room up dancing to hits from the '70s, '80s and '90s. Exuberating the charm and nostalgia reminiscent of 1920s jazz clubs transporting guests to a bygone era seven nights a week, you could be forgiven for thinking you were anywhere but High Blantyre in 2025. As well as top compliments to the renowned chef, I can't commend the service from restaurant manager Kostas Mavrogiannis and his team highly enough. Their culinary knowledge and attention to detail was second to none. They couldn't do enough for us and true to Trocadero's tagline - the champagne was certainly flowing. Earlier in the day we had been educated on Brut Reserve by a representative of Taittinger Champagne and sampled some of the finest and most expensive on the menu during Crossbasket's divine classic afternoon tea experience overlooking the lush sun-soaked grounds surrounding the main castle. Our extravagant tipples included Taittinger Comtes de Blanc which came in at £53 a glass (125ml) and £430 a bottle and Taittinger Prestige Rose at £19 a glass and £125 a bottle. Not forgetting the fine selection of Chef's artisan sandwiches and canapes, we tucked into freshly baked fruit scones with homemade jam and clotted cream and a selection of delicious homemade cakes with chef's afternoon tea delicacies. Retiring for the night to our elegant and expansive top floor castle suite, complete with roll top bath, was the perfect antidote to the electric atmosphere of Trocadero's. And, true to form, following a brief conversation about Crossbasket's award-winning honey, available to purchase in their boutique, we were able to take a little piece of this magnificent hotel home with us thanks to a member of the venue's top team who had kindly left a jar on our pillow. It's certainly an exciting new era for Crossbasket with lots more to come with a new luxury Four Angels Spa opening this autumn alongside two new luxurious eco-cottages creating additional private havens within the castle's 14-acre estate. Currently, an overnight stay in the new 40-room hotel starts from £195. Castle rooms start from £360. For more privacy, guests can stay in The Gate Lodge or The East Lodge on grounds of Crossbasket's grand estate, which offer exclusivity close to the castle and hotel. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .
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