By Angela Green, Content Executive, H&C News: The Rabbit and The Seal, set to open in Troon.
On a stunning waterside location on the Ayrshire coast, a new restaurant, The Rabbit, and its sister bar, The Seal, are set to open within the landmark Marine Troon, part of the Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts collection.
This newest addition to Troon’s dining scene overlooks Hole 17, Royal Troon’s trickiest par three, and boasts memorable views towards the islands of Arran and Ailsa Craig.
The menus which have been led by Marine & Lawn Rusacks St Andrews’ Executive Chef, Derek Johnstone, will champion hyper-seasonal, local ingredients together with Scottish seafood and game, showcasing the very best of classic British cooking.
Sample dishes include Ayrshire mussels with nduja, fennel, cider and lovage; chicken liver parfait with pickled chicory and toast; Scottish bouillabaisse with sea vegetables and home-made sourdough; and roast lamb rump with grilled onion, gem lettuce and thyme sauce. Desserts include sticky toffee pudding with salted butterscotch sauce; burnt vanilla cheesecake with baked rhubarb, dark chocolate brownie with hazelnut and Arran ice cream, and Scottish cheeses, biscuits and quince.
A Sunday Roast menu will be available from midday to 5pm, with highlights including herb roast free-range chicken; roast rump of longhorn beef or a pot roast cauliflower with spring truffle and toasted seeds, all served with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, buttered greens and glazed carrots.
The 78-cover restaurant has been designed in keeping with the historic 19th century hotel with an emphasis on timeless grandeur that’s balanced with a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. The space is designed to take advantage of the coastal views with quirky maximalist touches that mark the golfing heritage of the property. Chandeliers crafted from burl wood and coastal driftwood give a warm glow, and generous soft furnishings of velvet promise a comfortable, laid-back setting for guests.
The Rabbit will be open daily for lunch and dinner, with The Seal bar providing a relaxed option for all-day dining, cocktails and light bites. The all-day dining menu will feature dishes including roast lemon chicken, raw vegetables and herb salad; cured local charcuterie with pickles and bread; or haggis bon bons with a local Arran mustard.
Afternoon Tea is served between 12-4pm Friday to Sunday, with house-made cakes and a cream tea available for hotel guests, the local community and visitors alike. The Seal is dog-friendly with equally unrivalled views of Ayrshire’s coastline and has been designed with guests’ comfort in mind.
Cocktails will include the Marine old fashioned, with Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon, Punt e Mes Vermouth and maple syrup, The Monk – named after the 9th hole on the Royal Troon Course with Wyborowa Polish Vodka, espresso and Fra Angelico, and the Smuggler’s Trail with Havana Club Anejo Especial Rum, Falernum, orange, lime and passion fruit.
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