A historic hotel on the west coast of Scotland has announced the opening of a new restaurant and bar, with stunning views out to Arran and Ailsa Craig, overlooking the famous Royal Troon golf course.
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 June.
Marine & Lawn Rusacks St Andrews’ Executive Chef, Derek Johnstone, has led the menus, which will champion hyper-seasonal, local ingredients together with Scottish seafood and game, showcasing the very best of classic British cooking.
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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.
Meanwhile 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.
Announcing the news this week, the team behind the Marine feel the new restaurant will be in keeping with the 'grandeur' of the iconic Troon hotel.
They said: "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 9 th 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.
"Local suppliers from Ayrshire are used, including Hendricks gin direct from their nearby Girvan base and single malt whisky from the Isle of Arran Distillery, just across the water.
Ahead of the new opening, Executive Chef Derek Johnstone said: "We are so excited to be launching The Rabbit restaurant and The Seal bar in Troon this summer. Troon is a stunning coastal town with plenty of amazing Scottish produce on its doorstep.
"The menus feature really hearty and comforting dishes expertly created by our talented team. There are a range of options to suit all palates from light bites to larger plates, all to be enjoyed in casual surroundings with family and friends around the table.”
The Rabbit and The Seal are set within Marine Troon, renowned as a striking Victorian sandstone hotel with unrivalled views of Royal Troon Golf Club’s Old Course, which is set to host The Open Championship once again in 2024.
An hour outside of Glasgow, the western Scottish coastline is an ever-popular destination for visitors and walkers in addition to boasting world-class golf.
The bar and restaurant will open as part of the Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts collection at Marine Troon. It is developed and operated by White Rabbit Projects, whose hospitality portfolio includes 18 St Andrews, The Lawn, Garden House, The Alice, Lina Stores, Kricket and Island Poké. Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts is owned by Adventurous Journeys (AJ) Capital Partners, with Marine Troon joining two additional Scottish golf properties: Rusacks St Andrews and Marine North Berwick, which opened in 2021.
To find out more about The Rabbit and Seal, follow their Instagram @therabbitandseal and Facebook @therabbitandseal or sign up to their newsletter by visiting therabbitandseal.com
For more information about Marine Troon, please visit https://marineandlawn.com/marinetroon/, you can access information about the restaurant and bar here
