Hotel du Vin

When it comes to reputations, Devonshire Gardens boasts one of the fi nest. This terrace of Victorian townhouses in Glasgow's leafy West End has been a landmark of fi ne dining and luxury living since this charming boutique hotel fi rst opened its doors in 1986.

Blown through Hotel du Vin's doors by an icy Glasgow wind, we were grateful to fi nd ourselves in an elegant yet cosy bar and were soon enjoying a tipple of exquisite English bubbly and leisurely browsing the menu. We opted to dine from the à la carte menu; its tempting treats leaping from the page. Crab risotto, home-smoked grouse and Scottish venison were just a few of the options. Seated in the charming bistro, my partner and I began the evening with starters of earthy wild mushroom ravioli, cep foam and truffle, and scallops with oysters, squid ink noodles and caviar - both were simply flawless. The high standard continued with mains. Braised halibut was a joyful burst of colour, while the acorn-fed Iberico pork had an incredible depth of flavour. For anyone with room left, the cheese selection is a must.

Far from relying on the lofty heritage attached to this location, chef Darin Campbell and the expert team behind Bistro du Vin are clearly determined to remain at the cutting edge of fi ne cuisine and service.