Undiscovered Scotland

 

Since this review was written, the Bonham Hotel has changed ownership, with the result that what is said here may no longer be current. We hope to be able to update the review in the near future. The Bonham is justly renowned for the quality of its dining, which takes place in "The Restaurant at the Bonham". Here chef Michel Bouyer produces the sort of fine dining experience that has gained the restaurant its award of 2 Rosettes from the AA. The Bonham describes its dining as "rooted in the French tradition and given zest with expertly sourced, seasonal Scottish produce." We would add that the house style is one that demonstrates great attention to the sort of detail too easily overlooked elsewhere. Meanwhile, while presentation is beautiful, it is also unpretentious and unfussy. If one phrase could sum up the entire dining experience at The Bonham, it would be "carefully understated elegance". You can read our hotel review for The Bonham here.

The Restaurant at the Bonham is the hotel's largest and most attractive public room. It extends from the front to the rear of the building and the overall theme is dominated by the beautiful chestnut coloured panels on the walls which are matched perfectly with the tables and chairs and the lighting. The room has a central divider and the two halves can be used separately, ensuring, for example, that a corporate event can be held in one half while allowing normal lunchtime or dinner diners to enjoy their meals undisturbed.

One of the factors which really highlight The Bonham as something out of the ordinary is the way it has developed a series of menus and offers to ensure it appeals to the widest possible market: something it views as important as the hotel is not in a location people simply find by chance. The best example of this is in the range of menus on offer to diners wanting lunch. The standard lunch menu offers a choice of three starters, three mains and three sweets and is offered on a fixed price (and very good value) two or three course basis. Additionally there is a Fancy a Quickie menu, similar in scope (and again good value) but offering a guarantee that diners will be arrive, enjoy and leave in 45 minutes. For those with more time on their hands the Boozy Snoozy lunch offers a set price for a table of four enjoying a three course lunch and two bottles of wine. Again, value is outstanding.

Those wanting dinner at The Restaurant at the Bonham can choose from an a la carte menu which, when we visited, offered four starters, five mains and five desserts including cheese. We took a slightly different route, choosing instead from the Market Menu. This is a frequently changing menu available for both lunch or dinner which offers a choice of three starters, three mains and three sweets, including cheese. Two or three courses are offered at a fixed price and the value is outstanding. Although the choice was smaller, the food was outstanding and no corners were cut in quality or quantity. Diners choosing from the Market Menu enjoy an amuse bouche and bread in advance of the meal, and coffee and petit fours afterwards, just like diners choosing from the a la carte menu.

Breakfast is also served in the restaurant. The first course is self served from a buffet in the rear portion of the restaurant, and we found the choice on offer to be unusually good, ranging from cereals to salmon and fresh fruit to cold meats and cheese, all beautifully presented. The hot second course is served at your table, and when we visited the options included a vegetarian breakfast, porridge, kippers, eggs Benedict and a potato scone, as well as all the components of a full Scottish breakfast. Service was gratifyingly swift yet the food appeared to have been cooked to order and presentation and quality were excellent. You can read our hotel review for The Bonham here.