A new restaurant with stunning coastal views is set to open in one of Scotland’s most picturesque waterside towns this summer. The Lawn, which will open as part of the Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts collection at Marine North Berwick, will be accompanied by a stylish, laid-back bar and lounge, The Bass Rock.
MasterChef: The Professionals’ Chris Niven, previously executive chef at The Fairmont, St Andrews and The Scotsman Hotel in Edinburgh, will head up The Lawn restaurant. With an approachable, seasonal menu de-signed around flavour and simplicity, the focus will be on the very best ingredients from East Lothian and the surrounding area, served in a relaxed setting.
In 2020, Niven reached the semi-finals of National Chef of The Year; in 2017 he made his TV debut in Mas-terChef: The Professionals, again reaching the semi-final round and he is currently down to the semi-finals of the inaugural Tasting Spoon Chef of The Year Award.
In addition to his wealth of experience, Niven brings with him a passion for Scotland’s larder; diners can expect to see lobster fresh off the Seacliff fishing boat from Seacliff Harbour, fish smoked locally at Belhaven, as well as vegetables grown minutes from the hotel by Phantassie Organic and game from West Lothian’s Castle Game.
Taking centre stage at the hotel, the informal restaurant overlooks the green lawns from which it takes its name, and has expansive views across the walled garden, down to the coast towards Fife. The Lawn will offer an all-day, seasonal, à la carte menu, as well as a set lunch menu that will change daily with dishes such as Whole plaice for two with seaweed, lemon & capers and Niven’s take on a classic Cranachan.
As well as The Lawn, Niven will also oversee the menus for the hotel’s bar and lounge, The Bass Rock. There will be a range of small and large dishes to choose from: delicate Loch Fyne oysters, Mackerel pâté and a flavourful Steak and bone marrow burger. The bar offers unrivalled views of its namesake which sits
majestically in the Firth of Forth and will serve cocktails, international wines, award winning whiskies and local spirits, together with Scottish craft beers and ales. The bar’s signature serves include The Bass Rock Manhattan made using Buffalo Trace bourbon and the Tantallon, which takes inspiration from the East Lo-thian castle’s red sandstone exterior. It will also host the hotel’s afternoon teas. Niven has a passion for pastry, which is set to make Marine North Berwick an afternoon tea destination with a real sense of occasion.
The Victorian-era Marine North Berwick is considered a jewel in the crown of Scotland’s Golf Coast. Occupy-ing a prominent position in the much-loved seaside spot, it has hosted generations of golfers and holiday-makers since 1876 who came for the fresh air and water. Now, revamped as part of the Marine & Lawn collection of distinct hotels, the landmark has been restored to its former glory, with a sophisticated gran-deur for the 21st century.
Chris Niven comments, “I am thrilled to be launching the dining concepts for such an iconic property like Marine North Berwick. I have been championing Scottish produce for 20 years now, so getting to work with the fantastic local suppliers around East Lothian is a really exciting prospect. The menu is being created around the very best ingredients. Dishes will not be complicated; the flavours of the produce will really shine through. North Berwick is such a beautiful location with a real sense of community. It is not too far from Edinburgh as well, making it the perfect escape from the city.”
The Lawn and Bass Rock Bar and Lounge at Marine North Berwick will be developed and operated by White Rabbit Projects, whose hospitality portfolio includes Lina Stores, Kricket and Island Poké.
Part of the Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts collection, which is owned by Adventurous Journeys (AJ) Capital Partners, Marine North Berwick will be joined by two additional Scottish golf properties: Rusacks St Andrews in July 2021 and Marine Troon when it relaunches and joins the collection in spring 2022.
To find out more about the new food and drink offering at Marine North Berwick coming this summer, please visit www.lawnrestaurant.co.uk and follow Instagram @thelawnrestaurant, Twitter, and Facebook. For more information about Marine & Lawn, please visit marineandlawn.com or follow Instagram @marine-andlawn.
Marine North Berwick, Cromwell Road, North Berwick EH39 4LZ