Rufflets Country House

Built in the Roaring Twenties for the widow of a Dundee jute baron, Rufflets is a turreted mansion in 10 acres of fabulous landscaped gardens just a few minutes' drive from the centre of St Andrews. The Garden Restaurant has booted out the tweedy fine-dining concept, replacing it with a richly-hued contemporary look, with bold fabrics and vibrant artworks as a setting for flexible, up-to-date menus of inventive Mediterranean-accented modern Scottish dishes. The kitchen takes a creative approach to its output, offering locally-reared lamb and venison, fish and seafood landed nearby, and the bounty of the hotel's own garden in interesting combinations of flavour and texture. You might find a savoury carrot and walnut tarte Tatin with cumin ice cream alongside lobster ravioli with sautéed kale, roast garlic and Pernod foam, while main courses extend to loin of venison Wellington with dauphinoise potatoes, braised red cabbage and blackcurrant jus, or steamed turbot fillet with Anna potatoes, braised leeks and mussel broth. Dessert might play a riff on an apple theme, serving up Calvados bavarois, Braeburn Charlotte and green apple sorbet.