A couple of months ago I headed back to somewhere I used to eat when I lived in Kirknewton. The Bridge Inn was always one of the best restaurants in the area and had rightly won a few gastropub awards. We were returning to experience their new venture, ‘Bridge Fifteen‘. Every Friday & Saturday night you can enjoy the new fine dining concept delivered by Head Chef Tyler King.
I picked my Mum up on the way and we arrived in time for canapés – an Arbroath Smokie Doughnut, Squid Ink Tapioca with Smoked Eel, and a Cherry Tomato Ratatouille. They have a covered area outside beside the canal which makes a lovely beer garden, it’s lit with fairy lights and outside heaters which is lovely for evening drinks and nibbles.
After the welcome canapés outside we headed into the restaurant which has been minimally styled to allow the view over the Union Canal to be the main focal point. We were served some fresh bread with a vibrant wild garlic butter with a pool of garlic oil which reminded me of the one at Otro (now sadly closed).
Mum and I made sure to select different dishes from the sample menu so that we could try a wide variety of Tyer’s food. A single Mushroom Ravioli sat in a rich flavoursome mushroom broth with black garlic and puffed rice. Mum’s Venison Tartare was equally delicious, roughly diced and paired with a fruity blackcurrant gel. The Chateau Unang served alongside made me sad that I was the designated driver for the evening.
Mum is a big fan of all fish so the Monkfish with Mussel XO and Vermouth Sauce was right up her street, and my Lamb Loin was quite special too. The meat was blushing pink, and the garnishes of pea gel, lamb fat potato and roast cabbage were perfectly conceived and executed. It’s the type of dish which makes eating out worthwhile – food way beyond anything I can create at home (I’m working on it!)
Desserts can so often be an afterthought, but not here. We had an expertly crafted Chocolate Cremeux and a very Scottish Crowdie Cheesecake with toasted oats and rhubarb.
I had the pleasure of sitting next to Rachel one of the co-owners who exuded real passion for the business. As things became a little merrier, red wine was spilled (Rachel on me haha!), and rounds of Tequila were offered up and downed. It became abundantly clear that The Bridge Inn and now Bridge Fifteen was a place to relax and be yourself. The food may have had the airs and graces of fine dining, but the vibe is most definitely friendly and casual. A really memorable evening and host – well worth a red wine stained top.
What happened with the top? Poor Rachel apologised profusely and offered to pay for dry cleaning but all was well with the top!
Since that evening: Sam and I have since returned to the bar for a very delicious chicken burger from the casual bar menu. We’ll be back again soon!
Find out more here – Bridge Fifteen