Latest news with #PrestonfieldHouse
Scotsman
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
I introduced my mum to the restaurant at Scotland's best hotel and she's loved it ever since
This is her dream venue Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... My mum found her spiritual home rather late in life. David Cheskin Although she's lived in Edinburgh for decades, her first visit to Prestonfield House was only about two years ago, when I took her for festive afternoon tea in their restaurant, Rhubarb. She was bewitched and smitten. Since then, she's treated friends to tea at this plushly theatrical five-star destination, which was awarded Best Hotel in Scotland 2025 by the Good Hotel Guide, and has announced that she wants her funeral wake there. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I know, it's a bit depressing, but she's very pragmatic and you can't help thinking of these things when you're 89. When I invited her to try their new Spring Afternoon Tea, which is available until June 19 and is £60pp - or £75pp with a glass of Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve - she switched off her beloved snooker and practically leapt out of her seat. She also refused to use the hotel's wheelchair that I'd procured for her. If she was going to her favourite place, she was going to walk in the door, albeit slowly and clutching onto every high-backed heavily upholstered chair that was en route. Thankfully, there are a lot of them. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We made it to our favourite table, with the view out to the lawn and their resident peacock, Colin, who was pecking about the grass. The food comes thick and fast. There's lots, so don't schedule lunch or dinner that day. Maybe skip breakfast, too. After we'd received our rhubarb rooibos and Scottish breakfast teas (you can try as many as you like, or choose coffee or hot chocolate), we started on the plate of savouries. There seemed to be a verdant green theme, to suit the season. These pairs of bites included a bonnie asparagus quiche that was topped with wild garlic pesto, as well as the satisfyingly palate-coating mouthful of powdered clava brie and herb truffle, plus black sourdough crackers that were topped with tiny lapsang souchong cured sea trout cubes, and dots of limey avocado puree. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad David Cheskin Once we'd dispatched those swish amuse bouche, we could move onto the finger sannie section on the lower ground floor of our three tier cake stand. Apart from the Scandi open cucumber sandwich that was topped by minty pickled red onion, dill fronds and sour cream, they've gone classic loaf-with-the-crusts-cut-off here. Well, it wouldn't be an afternoon tea without sandwiches that adhere to the roof of one's mouth. My fave was the sturdy protein hit of spring chicken with lemon and spring onion. Its filling prompted a joke about mum's age, but she didn't laugh. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There was also a sturdy egg version, but with the twist of Caesar mayo, and a well stuffed brown bread Ayrshire ham number that was pimped up with rhubarb and honey relish. After all that, we were starting to feel prematurely replete. If Colin was inside, he could've helped us with a few crumbs. I think that would've cheered him up, as we could see children trying to feed him handfuls of grass, and he looked well unimpressed. At this point, mum moved onto the plain and buttermilk fruit scones with clotted cream and raspberry jam, while I focused on the colourful penthouse-level cakes. There was a neat, purple-lidded blueberry, lemon and lavender gateau and a Jaffa Cake-ish Earl Grey and chocolate orange mousse. However, my heart was won by the marzipan-clad lemon verbena and lime battenburg, which was topped by a Mary Quant-esque white chocolate daisy and was probably my favourite afternoon tea cake of all time. So beautiful to look at, and to eat, with a fluffy sponge innard in pale buttery yellow and green pastels. I also loved the rhubarb and custard cardamon tart - another substantial and memorable treat, with the sunshine hitting its yolk-like pink dome of rhubarb gel. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gaby Soutar We did our best at eating every item, but, without Colin's help, we were done. I couldn't finish the scones, she couldn't do the cakes. The remnants of everything had to be taken away, in a little branded box. At least it's going to feel pretty decadent, I'm sure, to eat such fantastical gems in front of the snooker. It'll also help to draw the experience out, because she still adores this place. Let's hope we'll have many more visits. No wheelchair required.
Edinburgh Reporter
29-04-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
Tea Time Opulence: A Champagne Afternoon at Prestonfield House
Prestonfield House Hotel offers free parking for cars and helicopters, signalling immediately that budget travellers aren't their typical clientele. Yet on a fine spring day, my guest and I opted for the humble approach: a Lothian bus ride followed by what was meant to be a short walk. Our distinct lack of map-reading skills transformed this into somewhat of an adventure, including getting lost in a wood as we attempted to navigate toward this five-star hotel sitting in view of Arthur's Seat's yellow gorse. Thankfully, a passing dog walker rescued these damsels in distress, guiding us to a shortcut that led to the sweeping drive, at the top of which sits the magnificent Prestonfield House. Owned by James Thomson, one of Scotland's most celebrated independent restaurateurs and hoteliers, Prestonfield sits in Edinburgh's most secret location – nestled amid a housing estate filled with bungalows and architectural curios. Yet somehow, this unexpected setting only enhances its charm. The estate spans 20 acres of gardens and parkland, with beautiful Highland cows grazing in the field alongside the entrance. Prestonfield promises – and delivers – opulence, theatrical flair, and luxurious seclusion, sheltering guests from the city's bustle beyond its grounds. While Edinburgh offers numerous afternoon tea experiences, Prestonfield's ranks among the finest, matched perfectly by its sumptuous interiors and impeccable service. We were greeted at the entrance by Raven, the resident hotel cat—a charmingly dishevelled black short-hair—and Colin, the peacock strutting through the gardens displaying his spectacular plumage in full glory. Stepping inside Prestonfield House feels like entering a scene from Downton Abbey or a Jane Austen novel. Every corner reveals delightful objects and antiques, with rooms elegantly arranged for dining celebrations. Prestonfield shares a significant historical connection with rhubarb, having been the first estate in Scotland to propagate the plant in the 18th century. This heritage is celebrated in the aptly named 'Rhubarb' restaurant, where the plant continues to flourish in the estate's kitchen garden. We were shown to what must be one of Rhubarb's finest tables, overlooking gardens with beautifully coiffed fir trees encased in pyramid-shaped wooden structures and beds of growing rhubarb. At Prestonfield, excellence lies in the details—from tactile, armed velvet chairs to beautiful white crockery bearing the signature rhubarb design, silver teapots, and even the powder room's leopard-print chaise lounge. Alongside delicate finger sandwiches, savouries, scones, and house-baked cakes, we savoured chilled Billecart-Salmon Champagne while selecting from seventeen beautifully described speciality teas, coffees and hot chocolate. Despite my grandfather's history working on an Indian tea plantation, I chose the Rose Petal tea—freshly dried rose petals with aromatic Chinese congou black tea and essence of rose – offering subtle floral notes. My companion selected First Flush Darjeeling, often called 'The Champagne of teas,' where the most coveted leaves are plucked during the first harvest. Prestonfield's afternoon tea achieves perfect balance between savouries, sandwiches, both plain and fruit buttermilk scones with clotted cream and raspberry jam, and exquisite cakes. They've thoughtfully created special menus for vegans, vegetarians, and those requiring gluten or dairy-free options—attention to detail that truly sets them apart. The staff accommodated my fish allergy by replacing the Lapsang souchong-cured sea trout, avocado, and lime curd on sourdough cracker with a vegetarian sun-dried tomato and avocado oatcake with lime purée, garnished with delicate white edible flowers. While I rarely choose white bread at home, finger sandwiches somehow demand it. No mass-produced loaves here, but beautiful, doughy homemade white bread worthy of Smeaton Farm free-range egg with Caesar mayonnaise. Among the selections, the spring chicken with lemon and spring onion mayonnaise and the pulled Ayrshire ham with Prestonfield rhubarb and honey relish were standouts. The cakes elevate the experience to extraordinary heights with imaginative Lilliputian morsels of pure delight. Lemon verbena and lime Battenburg, Earl Grey and chocolate orange mousse, rhubarb and cardamom custard tart, and blueberry, lemon and lavender gateau delivered mouthfuls of ecstasy with every bite. The Last Sip Sometimes getting lost leads to the most delightful discoveries. From our woodland detour to the final crumbs of those miniature masterpieces, our afternoon at Prestonfield proved that luxury isn't always about helicopter landings – sometimes it's about the journey, the company, and those perfect moments of indulgence. As we reluctantly departed, past Highland cows, Raven the grumpy cat and peacock plumes, we agreed that while the £75 price tag for the Champagne service reflects the five-star setting, the memories created in this secluded pocket of Edinburgh elegance were absolutely priceless. Prestonfield's Spring Afternoon Tea is available Sunday–Thursday 12-6:45 pm, Friday and Saturday 12-4 pm. Spring Afternoon Tea £60 per person Spring Champagne Afternoon Tea £75 per person Like this: Like Related
The National
23-04-2025
- The National
Review: Is afternoon tea at this five-star Scottish hotel worth it?
Spending most of my time in an office in front of a screen, I was really looking forward to time with my mum at a special spring edition of afternoon tea at Prestonfield House. Located just 5 minutes from Edinburgh city centre and set against the breath taking backdrop of Arthur's Seat, we were completely blessed with the beautiful warm weather as Scotland enjoyed a mini-heatwave. My mum is a big tea drinker, but I am not so much. I am Team Coffee all the way. READ MORE: Historic Scottish pier to reopen after storm damage with torchlit procession The tea list was so vast and varied, so I thought, "there must be something for me here". I went for the Lazy Summer Afternoon, a black tea with rhubarb pieces. Fun fact: rhubarb was first introduced to Scotland at Prestonfield House. Located in one of the city's finest historic buildings, dating back to the 17th century, the most memorable part of Prestonfield House is the decor. It was both relaxing and a treat to be there, with a warm and welcoming space to talk for hours, as well as the chance to enjoy the sun on the balcony. I actually really enjoyed the tea part of the afternoon, and since, have adventured into having Peppermint and Earl Grey, so the visit has actually opened up a whole new word of tea for me! My mum also leaned into the Rhubarb theme, enjoying a Rhubarb Rooibos before we were served a mountain of tiny treats. We were served new season asparagus quiche with wild garlic pesto, freshly baked plain and fruit buttermilk scones, and exquisite cakes such as lemon verbena and lime battenburg and rhubarb and cardamom custard tart alongside an array of sandwiches. We could not finish it all. The staff were kind enough to pack our leftovers up for us, extending our enjoyment of the experience to home. To elevate the visit, you can also add a glass of chilled Billecart-Salmon Champagne, but we did not. Available Sunday to Thursday from 12–6:45pm, and Friday to Saturday from 12–4pm, the tea also caters to all dietary preferences, offering vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options. Overall The sheer volume of tea on offer as well as the amount of food served, it is definitely a go-to for anyone looking to enjoy a treat this spring. I would say the tea is a perfect experience for friends catching up and looking to splash out or a family wanting to spend some stress-free quality time together. It wouldn't be my go-to hot spot often. The staff truly do take care of everything.
