Guests and visitors to Fairmont St Andrews, one of Scotland’s finest five-star luxury resorts, have been enjoying a summer of International Jazz and feasting from the extensive Sunday Brunch buffet since June. Sadly we missed the launch event but were delighted to go along and experience Sunday Brunch earlier this month.
Originally Sunday Brunch was available until Sunday until 27 August, but it has been such a great success it is likely to continue. If you are planning a visit after August, we recommend checking with the hotel to make sure it’s available and to book a table.
It’s always such a treat to visit Fairmont St Andrews with its fabulous views over the golf course towards the old university town. The wide fairways, open outlook and fresh air always make you instantly relax as you take in the beautiful views. We arrived early, so had time to wander down the drive towards the club house. While expert golfers scooted about in golf buggies and practiced at the driving range, we were anticipating the foodie’s delights to come.
The Squire restaurant located down the sweeping staircase from the reception area is the home of Sunday Brunch (we should get this clear right from the start – it’s more lunch than brunch). Like everyone else we noticed, we stopped at the balcony before the staircase to take in the view. At one end of the atrium there are fantastic views towards the water through the glass gable end and at the other the Squire restaurant (named after golfing legend Gene “The Squire” Sarazen). The vast area could feel cold and unwelcoming but a dazzling art installation of twenty thousand metal discs suspended from the roof and created by George Singer called ‘Zephyr’ sparkles from the ceiling. The impressive 60-meter length sculpture connects the whole space perfectly.
After a warm welcome, we had a tour of the buffet; this should provide the first indication that this isn’t your usual Sunday Brunch offering. Split into different stations the buffet has lots of choices and you can feast until your belly is full!
The main stations include appetisers, soup, entrées, salads, fish, seafood, eggs, carvery, crispy duck and a lavish dessert and pastry section. You certainly won’t leave hungry here! Throughout the afternoon, the breezy tone of Ali Affleck’s beautiful Jazz singing and music from her band provides the soundtrack to your feast. We sat enjoying the music and nibbling away at the buffet for over two hours and the time passed in a flash.
Fairmont St Andrews aim at brunch is not to flip the table as often as they can to maximise income. Instead, the table is yours for the afternoon, and this makes it a great place to come with family and friends for a lazy Sunday afternoon where you can enjoy a great selection of local delights cooked by top class chefs in a relaxed, casual manner. The buffet style service is excellent as it allows everyone at your table to enjoy what they wish, when they want – a very chilled out way to dine.
We usually take lots of photographs of each course, but here that was impossible as we nibbled on so many different things during brunch. Instead to give you a flavour of what’s on offer we took pictures of “some” of the buffet (there’s lots more on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!).
If you are looking for a Sunday road trip with relaxed, casual dining at the other end, then Fairmont St Andrews is a place to consider. At £32.50 for adults and £16 for over fives and free for under fives then it’s good value for money. Our tip is to arrive early, stay late, enjoy the music and graze your way through the afternoon. Once you are chilled out and sated, St Andrews has got lots of lovely walks and places to wander and enjoy whilst working off your feast.
Book a Table for Sunday Brunch
The Fairmont
St Andrews
KY16 8PN
TEL: 01334 837000
Some of the delights we enjoyed from the buffet
Many thanks to Fairmont St Andrews for our invitation to sample Sunday Brunch.