The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
The nation’s best restaurant is in the Fair City.
Perth restaurant officially crowned as best in country at awards
After winning two rosettes within months of opening, a Perth restaurant has scooped the ultimate prize in Scottish catering.
Graeme Pallister’s 63 Tay Street has won the title of 2017 Scottish Restaurant of the Year.
He joined his wife Fiona on stage at the Scottish Food Awards in the King’s Hall, Edinburgh, watched by many of his peers.
They had already seen the chef and his team collect the title of Perth’s top restaurant – one of a number of awards claimed by Tayside destinations on a night of success for the region.
Dundee was also well represented, with Castlehill and the Tayberry each taking home two prizes.
Graeme admitted it had come as a “wonderful surprise” to find out 63 Tay Street was to be the recipient of the night’s biggest award.
He said: “I was delighted for the team when we won best restaurant in Perth earlier in the evening but to win Scottish restaurant of the year was a complete surprise.
“My wife Fiona and I were in complete shock and it took a few seconds to register we had won.
“I am so very happy for all of our team and regular customers, as without them we would be in no position to receive such an honour.”
Castlehill was named Dundee Restaurant of the Year and City Restaurant Champion, while the city’s Bridgeview Station was named Bistro of the Year.
The title of Fife Restaurant of the Year was awarded to The Cellar at Anstruther, while Perthshire Restaurant of the Year went to The Rooftop at Knock Castle, Crieff.
The Grange Inn was named St Andrews Restaurant of the Year.
For those looking to take away rather than dine-in, the awards gave a hearty recommendation to Auchterarder’s Corbie and Cheip, which was named Deli of the Year.
The business opened in 2015 on the town’s High Street.