The Horseshoe Inn, Eddleston by Peebles

“What’s around the next bend?” I wondered. It was Sunday and we driving down the A703 towards Peebles and we had just entered the small village of Eddleston. As we drove through the village, we both glanced left at a white washed building and were drawn by the glow of candles in the window. We looked at each other knowingly and as is our want we entered our usual psychic communication and I pulled into the rear car park of The Horseshoe Inn.

“This looks nice” said the Buddha’s wife as we entered the Inn. The receptionist asked us if we were dining or looking for drink. We said we would decide once we had the opportunity to peruse the menu. We were seated in a formal, but very relaxed lounge area.

The waitress handed us menu’s and we commented on how the Inn had a lovely welcoming feel to it. She informed us that the Inn had originally been the villages Blacksmith’s Shop and that a couple of years ago the present owners had undertaken a significant refurbishment of the property. We both agreed that they had made a good job of it.

The Inn had a Sunday Lunch Menu that looked irresistible so we decided to have both a drink and to dine. The Buddha Belly ordered a pint of Best and as is her normal practice, the Buddh’a wife had a a glass of Francesca Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2005. At £7.00 a glass it was a bit steep, but according to the enthusiastic consumer it was brilliant and well worth the money.

For starters, we ordered the pheasant and foie gras terrine with shizo salad, apple and plum chutney and the chilled melon with parma ham, parmesan cheese and rocket with dressing. For mains, we ordered the pan seared sea bass on a bed of stir fry vegetables, ginger and noodles, together with the roast beef, yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and gravy.

We were seated in the in the red and gold restaurant shortly after placing our order and the meal duly arrived. It was Sunday feast fit for kings and queens. It was great and I could see why The Horseshoe Inn has been awarded the AA's new Restaurant of the Year for Scotland. We enjoyed fine-dining in a restaurant that takes food seriously, this together with the super-attentive staff gave us an afternoon to remember.

I don’t think that we could afford to do Sunday lunch at the Inn every week, however they do have cheaper and interesting menu in the bistro. No wonder that The Horseshoe Inn’s is developing a growing reputation for the quality of the food served. It was a fantastic meal and we will return.

Food-9/10
Drink-9/10
Service-9/10
Environment-9/10

Contact details:
The Horseshoe Inn
Eddleston
Peebles
EH45 8QP
Tel: 01721 730 225