Brasserie Ecosse, Dundee

By Jill Blair

When I made plans to meet my mum for lunch in Dundee, we couldn’t have picked a worse day for the weather; grey, cold and wet.

Stepping into Brasserie Ecosse, however, was warm and welcoming. Although it is a large space, the lighting and ambience are convivial. With nods to Dundee’s industrial history through fixtures and artwork, it still manages to have a nice contemporary feel.

Front of house staff were friendly and helpful, and an off-menu cocktail request was no problem. My mum enjoyed a French martini, whilst I opted for their pink margarita. I’m not a fan of overly sweet cocktails so this one, made with Patron tequila and blood orange juice, had a nice sour edge to it. The cocktail menu is creative and fresh, and they were all made and presented beautifully.

Our starters were tasty, and my dish of the day was the chicken liver parfait chosen by my mum. Presented in the shape of an egg, it was silky smooth and deep flavoured, surprisingly surrounded in a thin layer of white chocolate and served with a rhubarb sauce. The salty, sweet, and sharp combination was delicious spread on toasted buttery brioche. I chose the beetroot, fig and feta starter and every mouthful was different thanks to all of the little surprise elements on the plate. The food menu has some interesting Scottish twists. For example, the Crab Stovies alongside the sea trout, and the little bridie accompanying the juicy, pink roast Barbary duck breast which was packed full of confit leg meat.

There are several vegan-friendly options on the menu, and if you are a big chocolate fan like me, try the dark chocolate and tofu ganache for dessert. Served with Dundee marmalade sorbet and some pieces of crystallised ginger, it’s a rich and indulgent end to the meal. I had mine with an espresso martini, by which time all thoughts of the miserable day outside had been well and truly forgotten.

Brasserie Ecosse: 4-5 Shore Terrace, Dundee, DD1 3AH

Tel: 01382 322421

https://www.brasserieecosse.co.uk/