Have you been to Edinburgh lately? The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel has undergone an extensive multimillion-pound upgrade overseen by director of design Olga Polizzi. The Rocco Forte Hotels group has invested in significant renovation projects for its European properties which coincided with the company’s 20th anniversary last year. Situated at No. 1 Princes Street, The Balmoral was the first property in Sir Rocco’s portfolio in 1997. One of the highlights of the renovation is the new-look, 2,400-square-foot presidential suite known as the Scone & Crombie Suite.
To cap the five-year renovation project, The Balmoral recently launched the Brasserie Prince by Alain Roux. The new restaurant is a collaboration with Alain Roux, chef patron of The Waterside Inn, Bray-on-Thames, and his legendary restaurateur father Michel Roux, O.B.E. The brasserie is named for Scottish romantic hero, Bonnie Prince Charlie, aka “The Young Pretender”—who had close ties to France. What’s on the menu? Classic French cuisine prepared with the best seasonal Scottish products. Think Dover sole meunière, Scottish côte de boeuf and Plateaux de fruits de mer.
The Brasserie Prince has a new dedicated entrance on Princes Street. For the design, Martin Brudnizki selected Scottish materials like wood, leather and wool. Note that there’s an adjacent bar and lounge for cocktails and snacks.
The Balmoral’s sister hotel in London, Brown’s, has also recently unveiled a new gourmet destination. Beck at Brown’s marks the London return of famous chef Heinz Beck, who currently has three Michelin stars at La Pergola at the Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf-Astoria resort.