Amanda Southey boards Fingal for a slice of luxury living on the Port of Leith
A plush floating hotel harboured at Alexandra docks in Leith, Fingal offers a dining experience with a difference. With floor-to-ceiling windows and sumptuous Art Deco interiors, The Lighthouse Bar is a stunning spot for a sophisticated evening supper and a few cocktails. Breakfast and afternoon tea are served here during the day but, for the best views of the twinkling port, visit after dark when you can drink in the vista from your table or head out to the deck to sip your drink under the stars.
We start with a potent lighthouse Martini that is decanted from a small glass lighthouse served with pickled Sorrento lemon (it’s all in the detail) and accompanied with a little bar snack of espresso martini and truffle cheese flavoured popcorn to keep us going while we choose our dishes.
The menu consists of seasonal small plates to share, made with locally sourced or foraged ingredients. Slightly larger than a starter, we share three dishes between two: salmon (smoked on board) with pink grapefruit, shaved fennel, and fromage blanc, £14; John Dory fillet with asparagus and pea fricassee, baby spinach, and Allemande sauce, £21, and tomatoes, Baron Bigod cheese, basil sponge and black garlic puree, £12. Never one to skip dessert, we finish with an excellent strawberry pavlova, £12, and the cheese plate, £14.
With first class service, food and drink, Fingal is a breath of fresh air. It’s not every day that you get to wine and dine on a ship and there is a real sense of history on board which you can feel the moment you walk up the red carpet; an actual dream come true for me.
To book, call 0131 357 5000 or visit fingal.co.uk.