Road Hole Restaurant — Restaurant in Scotland

Have been dining at the Road Hole for many years now, always at Christmas time, and it has always been a 5 star experience. This time was no different, every course cooked to perfection, plated perfectly and totally delicious. But from previous years it makes me a little sad to see the menu become somewhat downgraded and limited. It seems to be trending towards being just a grill restaurant - for main course, the options were steak, steak, steak, venison, cauliflower steak, or halibut. Not being a steak/red meat fan, that leaves just one choice for me. As luck would have it, a great choice that suits me well, but still. In my opinion, the chef and team there are so talented that they're wasted just turning out steaks. The scallops starter and apple millefuille dessert prove that. What's happened to the days of the 7 course taster menu? Hopefully this steak-focus is simply a Covid necessity and the menu will expand again soon. The price is certainly still at fine-dining levels. But with the Swilkin loft next door (where we haven't been) offering more variety I really hope the vision here isn't to lose fine dining and have the Road Hole become an expensive Sands grill in essence - as I said, it has been a masterclass in fine dining for so long that would be a real shame. One other slight wrong note - no dessert wine available on the day (from only one menu option by the glass) and the port ordered as a replacement had also ran out. Not a disaster but again, hoping that isn't indicative of a move away from a proper fine dining experience. However, to come back - the meal itself was truly superb, a great experience. Staff were excellent...

Restaurant set in the iconic old course hotel, looking out over the famous golf course and ocean (amazing views). Restaurant ambience and design gorgeous. Food decent - quite expensive for what you get but everything we ate was fine without blowing my mind. Starters of lamb tartare and spring pea curd, mains of beef fillet (cooked beautifully) and pasta, and a wonderful dessert of rhubarb, custard soufflé with pistachio ice cream (the culinary highlight!!). Service was a bit chaotic and unexpectedly lax for the level of restaurant and hotel. Had to wait really too long for every stage - order taking, plate collection etc - and most of the time had to prompt the server to come and do it. Feels like they have a mix of highly professional long term staff (who were great), and short term cover (perhaps students?) who were less well trained and not so good. Whatever it is, there was clearly a divide and it was a bit annoying when you’re...

This is a lovely hotel and a lovely restaurant, but my review concerns the bar. If it’s not the most poorly managed bar I have ever been in. I would be surprised and I’m willing to my 70s. Both times we have gone in there with very few other people, they’ve had three people behind the bar 10 customers and it takes between 20 and 30 minutes to have a drink made and delivered. They’re losing a lot of money as a result and causing a great deal of irritation. Love the hotel love the location love the people in the restaurant, but avoid this bar...