I am not a golfer. I am not entirely sure of the rules of golf and I would much rather be presented with a potato wedge than a sand variety. I was, therefore, unsure how well I would fit in at Auchterarder 70, the new addition to the Gleneagles Estate located inside The Dormy Clubhouse by the 18th hole.
I needn’t have worried. Turns out I had a thoroughly pleasant time, my conversations with the lovely staff were all about the food and I wasn’t quizzed about my scorecard once.
There is no denying this bar is immersed in golf, from the fabulous views across the course to the fact you reach it by walking through the foyer of the Clubhouse itself.
The effect is relaxed and casual with comfy, cracked leather chairs and a strong decor that hints to the 1920s in details such as the deep blue tiling around the open grill kitchen and the beautiful woodwork around the bar.
The menu is as informal as the place itself and consists of a conservative list of snacks and slightly bigger tapas style plates. We selected a few to accompany our craft beer and were happily chatting as each plate arrived whenever it was ready. I have never had pork scratchings quite like these – they had the flavour of the traditional snack but with the texture of a thicker and more aerated prawn cracker. They needed the apple and mustard dipping sauce to cut through the familiar fatty favour but they made a great start.
Despite Mr Kerry’s scepticism, I ordered the baba ganoush – an aubergine and harissa dip which was deep in flavour and had a spicy kick deliciously complemented by the sweet popping crunch of the pomegranate seed topping. The flavours would have benefited from being served at room temperature, rather than straight from the fridge, but that’s a tiny observation.
My squid was fine, the batter light and the seafood just the right side of chewy and greatly enhanced by the sweet and tangy Vietnamese dip. Mr Kerry devoured the sliders – a selection of three mini burgers, beef, boar and lamb-with accompanying complimentary noises. Cooked on the open grill they were perfectly dark on the outside and soft and juicy in the middle.
I would never ordinarily order chips as a snack but reading that they were served with béarnaise made them irresistible. And a good thing too. Mr Kerry and I agreed they were the best chips we had ever had. Ever. Deliciously crispy on the outside yet oh so fluffy on the inside. The béarnaise was gleefully heavy on the tarragon and I could have eaten it with a spoon.
In 45 minutes, we had easily grazed our way to being very full and although each dish is not cheap, it is very reasonable for Gleneagles and plentiful enough to satisfy us for lunch.
The development of Auchterarder 70 is apparently one of the many injections of new ideas from chief executive of owner company Ennismore, Sharan Pasricha – described by the staff as thoroughly lovely and a regular presence at the venue. The bar is social, relaxed and charming – as are the team – and it makes a lovely addition not only to this famous hotel but to the area in general.
Info
Price: Plates from £4 – £9 each.
Value: 8/10
Menu: 7/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Total: 38/50
Info: Auchterarder 70
Address: The Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire, PH3 1NF
Tel: 0800 389 3737
