Labour of love
La Potiniére may be small, but this seaside gem of a restaurant is an East Lothian institution
Filling the amply-sized boots left at La Potiniére restaurant in Gullane by the muchfeted David and Hilary Brown has never fazed Keith Marley and Mary Runciman, the couple who recently celebrated their tenure at La Poitiniere by tying the knot.
It was Mary’s father David who first spotted the potential of the 24-cover restaurant in one of East Lothian’s prettiest little towns. ‘ You could almost call this place his project,’ says Mary. ‘He had a vision that has helped to create a bright and friendly restaurant which is easy for the two of us to run, as we are on our own most of the time. He really was a massive inspiration to us.’ Sadly, David passed away last year, shortly after Keith and Mary’s wedding.
But his legacy lives on at La Potiniére, where Keith and Mary produce fine modern British food using the vegetables that they grow in their greenhouse and the berries, rocket, salsify, artichokes, rhubarb and root veggies that thrive in the sandy soil of their allotment. ‘It’s not quite enough to keep the restaurant going all year round, but it’s something that we love to do,’ explains Keith. ‘It’s important to source food locally.’ The restaurant’s fish comes from James Dickson at Port Seton, lamb and venison from Anderson’s of North Berwick, while the beef is sourced from East Lothian and the Borders.
The couple share the cooking duties and pastry chef Keith creates the restaurant’s trademark homemade chocolates, as well as running front of house. The menu is constantly rolling and changing to fit with what is fresh and available, keeping them on their toes and always ready and willing to try out something new.