Spectacular platters of succulent langoustines, smoked salmon, dressed crab and other Scottish seafood delights. Vibrant seasonal salads, beautifully presented cured meats, farmhouse and artisan cheeses, sitting alongside freshly baked breads, crackers and inspired accompaniments. Then there is the build your own Bloody Mary station. Gleneagles Townhouse’s new monthly Brunch Club is something else.
Set in the dramatic restaurant, The Spence, the delectable feast of the finest seasonal Scottish fayre is a sight to behold. And this is just the buffet-style starters (unlimited, by the way!) ahead of the cooked to order mains, before the whole culinary experience is rounded off with a dedicated Dessert Room (again, unlimited… if you have room left).
The Gleneagles Townhouse Brunch Club runs the last Saturday and Sunday of every month, 12-3pm, and is arguably Edinburgh’s most luxurious brunch experience. Featuring live music and glamorous surroundings, it’s definitely a lingering dining affair – we booked our table for 12pm to make the most of the day.
Brunch starts with a refreshing Mimosa, mocktail or build your own Bloody Mary, whilst you peruse the mains menu of seasonal favourites such as leg of lamb with lamb fat potatoes, roast chicken with peas, east coast cod with chorizo and truffle gnocchi with wild mushrooms. Then there’s that stunning unlimited buffet.
Thank goodness I opted not to have breakfast as the buffet starters are impressive. I unashamedly went up time and time again, ensuring I could devour all the options available. Service is first class too… my plates were discreetly removed by waiting staff as I went up for seconds. And thirds. Our waiter even brought us freshly made mushroom arancini to enjoy. When we were finally ready for our mains, which are served to your table when you choose, these did not disappoint either. Bursting with flavour, my truffle gnocchi was sublime whilst the perfectly cooked cod was succulent; the chorizo and mussels balanced this dish perfectly. Mains are served with moreish fries and tenderstem broccoli to share, too.
You’d be forgiven for rushing to the much-hyped Dessert Room but my top tip is to rest and soak up the atmosphere and make room for your sweet fix. For the pastry team has created a heady array of showstopping mini desserts, including lemon meringue tarts, banoffee eclairs, mango coconut and lime panna cotta, red velvet cupcakes, macaroons, brownies, a chocolate fountain with fresh fruit or marshmallows, pick and mix sweets and a popcorn machine, all vying for attention. There is even a hand-piped doughnut station, featuring freshly made doughnuts with your choice of filling. Wow. It’s all about the finer detail and this gourmet room has it in spades.
At £85 per person, the Brunch Club is spendy but this is one seriously grand and luxurious feast that is worth it as a treat. Using Scotland’s finest produce to create oodles of delectable food to enjoy in seriously glamorous surroundings with five-star service, it’s definitely an ideal way to catch up with family or friends. The price includes a cocktail on arrival, snacks to the table, unlimited buffet, seasonal mains and unlimited dessert. Diners aren’t rushed either and there’s no waiting staff moving you on for the next reservation (a pet peeve of mine).
What a place. What an experience. Book NOW.
Sarah Johnston dined courtesy of Gleneagles Townhouse. To book a table at the monthly Brunch Club telephone 0131 322 3798 or for more information visit https://gleneagles.com/townhouse/. The Brunch Club is already fully booked for August so get booking fast for the ultimate treat this Autumn.
GET YOUR BRUNCH ON
Gleneagles Townhouse may well have the luxury brunch experience all sewn up, but Edinburgh still has other delicious brunches on offer to suit all tastebuds and budgets. Here are some egg favourites.
BREWHEMIA - egg partner Brewhemia (members get 20%) self-proclaimed “beer palace,” offers a Boozy Brunch experience for £39.95 per person, including a cocktail on arrival, continental plate to share featuring croissants, pastries, cured meats and cheeses. This is followed by a brunch mains dish and either prosecco, selected bottle beers, cocktails or Whispering Angel Provence. There’s live entertainment, too. This brunch runs Monday to Saturday 10am-3.30pm, Sunday 10am-12pm.
COPPER BLOSSOM - George Street favourite, Copper Blossom, also offers a Boozy Brunch experience for £35 per person, available every Saturday and Sunday 11am until 3pm. Copper Blossom is another egg partner (Yay, 20% discount!) so check out their special offers, exclusive for card holders! Expect three scrumptious brunch plates, or one classic dish, two brunch cocktails and one glass of prosecco.
SHERATON GRAND - This five-star hotel offers a Saturday Champagne Brunch at the Brasserie with Piper Heidsieck, from 12-2.30pm, for £25 per person. Diners begin with a sharing platter of fresh fruit, pastries, pancakes and more, followed by a brunch mains dish of your choice and a glass of Piper-Heidsieck Essential Cuvee Brut. Or upgrade to 1/2 bottle per person for an additional £20 each. The hotel also runs a weekly Sunday Brunch Feast from 12.30pm until 2.30pm. Served carvery style, there’s a wide array of starters, salads, meats and all the trimmings. There’s also a dessert station. Prices cost £45 per adult.
EVE AT VIRGIN HOTEL - The very latest egg partner, Eve, a super stylish restaurant located within the new Virgin Hotel, runs the aptly named Brunch with Eve. Available every Saturday and Sunday from 12-4pm, there’s saxophonists, high-energy DJs, an a la carte menu of brunch classics and sweet treats, cocktails and more. There’s also a themed Brunch event on the first weekend of the month with drag Queens, dancers and DJs.