Exchange Street, Dundee
Katrina Patrick samples delicacies from an award-winning chef
Castlehill offers an array of authentic Scottish dishes of high standard. We were booked in for the Dinner Tasting Menu, and enjoyed several small dishes bursting with flavour, all with individual wine pairings, and designed to give your tastebuds a tour of the best Scotland’s larder has to offer. My favourite dish was the Shetland scallops with lobster, sweetcorn and crostini. It was to die for – as was the Picpoul de Pinet wine that was paired with it. Chef Graham Campbell and his team use seasonal ingredients, many locally foraged, to create mouth-watering dishes that showcase Scottish cuisine through a pleasing combination of textures. Each plate is artfully arranged with care, and look almost too good to eat. Almost. 9/10
We were greeted warmly and genuinely, which can be a rarity in fine-dining restaurants of this standard. The waiting staff were incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, and explained the contents and cooking methods of each dish as it was presented. Dietary requirements had been asked upon booking, and were checked again as we were seated. I asked about the wine that accompanied one particular dish, and was pleasantly surprised at the server’s knowledge and enthusiasm over the pairing. 8/10
The restaurant may be small, but this lends an air of exclusivity. It is beautifully furnished, and the decor is elegant and sophisticated. 8/10
Two courses from the main menu is £34 per person, with three courses for £40. The tasting menu I enjoyed (don’t fooled by the title – you won’t leave the table hungry!) comes in at £55 per person, or £75 with wine pairings. 9/10
The ideal location – a quiet lane in the centre of the city. 9/10