Gordon's

[Man]

The more we live here, the more we are realising that there aren't only the (valient) usual suspects in Scotland. I wanted to briefly mention a new little gem we have just discovered.

It's called Gordon's, a charming mother, father and son operation with only 24 covers.

It's near Arbroath (where you can stop for the famous smokie) and the Lunan Bay. We were expecting family style, rustic, generous cuisine. There is some of that, but what surprised us were the technique and creativity in dishes which reveal a burning ambition (we guess, the son's, moderated by the wisdom of the father). A foie gras parfait with chicken liver was stunning, but they really pulled out all the stops with a Gressingham duck with a vanilla & parsnip cream (sounded weird to us, but it worked in the dish) and braised cabbage - the dish and the way it was served (mini-pot with 'lesser' parts confit) reminded us of the best Arbutus (except the portions were far larger).

Not to miss if you are in the area.

More comment and pictures to follow in a couple of weeks at our place.