Restaurant Condita, Edinburgh

 

beef tongue, neck & sweetbread

It is the first time I have beef tongue and beef neck served as the main course in a fine dinning restaurant, well prepared and delicious.

No wonder on reservation, there is this reminder ‘customers must not have any dislike of food’.

Found out that the chef bought a whole cow, using all parts, from head to tail, everyday serving a different dish.

In the one week Scotland trip, I have eaten in three restaurants where chefs acquired a whole cow or lamb, cook a different part every night. They only offer a fixed menu, or very limited choice. This shows that they have a lot of confidence in their cooking skills.

It is a way to be cost effective, to minimise waste, to broaden cooking experiences, and customers’ eating enjoyment.

Scotland north east coast tour, whiskey 4/4

 

Glenallachie distillery tour

 

It is so hard to book distillery tours, every interesting and famous ones are fully booked a few months in advance.

 

Managed to get in this one with a last minute cancellation. Glenallachie, small group of 12, with a very dedicated guide who is lively in her explanations, learned a lot.

 

 

chocolate malt mouse

striploin

halibut

mussel & celeriac

scallop

smoked trout

venison tartare

Chocolate malt drink

Still & Stove, Rothes

 

At the end the Speyside holiday, booked a tasting menu pairing single malt whiskeys with the meal, and worked well!

 

In between dishes, talked to the super knowledgeable whiskey barman and learned a lot about the style and strategies of different distilleries.

 

The welcome drink is made with 100% chocolate malt, a dark roasted germinated barley, with such an indescribable rich flavour and mildly sweet, I would love to have one every day!

Scotland north east coast tour, inland 3/4

  Went inland and stayed in Speyside whiskey area, for hiking, visiting distilleries and the towns.

 

River Spey is very pleasant, the most famous salmon river in the area, and very pretty. The fishing here is organised, the banks are well cared for, with benches to rest.

薰黑線鱈魚

 

來到蘇格蘭東北岸旅遊，查找到在海港Arbroath有地區傳統名食薰haddock，黑線鱈魚，繞道去參觀。

黑線鱈魚是白肉魚，啖啖肉那一類，常起柳肉用來做炸魚薯條。

薰黑線鱈魚

薰黑線鱈魚

薰黑線鱈魚

黑線鱈魚

薰黑線鱈魚在英國較流行, 特別有興趣看看。到得奬的Spink smokehouse 參觀，專挑中小的魚，說是肉嫩、快熟和一人份量，最受歡迎。只去頭不去骨地全條鹽醃，省好多工夫。一對對地在尾部綁好，掛在木棍上風乾一晚。

以粗橡木或山毛欅木燒熱火爐後，放入一排排的魚，關上門沒有氧氣，以餘熱和煙薰焗半小時完成。

當地的食譜是去骨，加些香草奶油煮熱，伴煎餅吃，簡單美味的速食。

Scotland north east coast tour, the coast 2/4

 

Arbroath harbour

Mossiemouth bay

Mossimouth bay

Hopeman bay

Hopeman harbour

 

After Edinburgh, went round the west coast to reach the north coast. The north coast is where the fishing happens, part of the reason why I like to be here for a couple of days. The harbors were well built, the beaches deserted, very quiet as the weather was not inspiring for walking on the sandy bays.

 

Findhorn river

Findhorn river

Findhorn river

Findhorn river

Findhorn river

Had a very good hike along river Findhorn, wide and long peaty salmon river, some parts calm and some very turbulent sections.

Scotland north east coast tour 1/4

Spent 3 days in Edinburgh, from the moment of arriving in the city, I wondered what took so long to visit this amazing city. 

 

 

The city has well built and well preserved old buildings, sloping from the hill down. Very lively and international, can see all types of cuisines available, great public transport.

 

 

 

The castle is a must visit, arrived at the opening hour of 10am, before going in, can watch the guards change shift, accompanied with brass band music. Need a few hours to wander around the walled castle ground, with many buildings like a mini village.

 

What I like most is the view of Edinburgh from the top.