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February 23, 2017
Hotel du Vin spring fixed price menu
Butternut squash soup with nasturtium ice cream is on the Hotel du Vin spring fixed price menu.

The Hotel du Vin spring fixed price menu launched today.

Given that a large proportion of the UK is being battered by Storm Doris – the first official storm of the winter season – the timing is a little unfortunate.

It can be hard to think of spring when birds are being blown backwards and there are reports of Geordies wearing long sleeves for the first time since the great freeze of 1947.

Warm breeze, sunny, fresh flowers forecast

However, here at the 5pm Dining blog, our glass is always half full rather than half empty.

Today may be damp and a little blustery. Tomorrow will surely be warm and sunny with a light breeze ruffling the tops of the newly sprung flowers.

Well, fingers crossed anyway.

Caesar salad croquettes with crisp Baby Gem lettuce.
Caesar salad croquettes with crisp Baby Gem lettuce.

Whatever the weather, it will always be spring in Hotel du Vin. Or at least it will be for the next few months.

The Hotel du Vin spring fixed price menu certainly hints of better weather to come.

For example, the starters on offer include a creamy butternut squash soup served with smooth nasturtium ice cream.

The Caesar salad croquettes come with crisp Baby Gem lettuce while the seaweed-cured salmon is served with oatcake and Ice Plant, another edible flower.

Main courses on the Hotel du Vin spring fixed price menu

To be honest, the selection of main courses on the Hotel du Vin spring fixed price menu are rather more hearty.

Perhaps the Hotel du Vin chefs know more about the spring weather forecast than the rest of us?

Either way, we are looking at dishes such as the duck and prosciutto ragout rigatoni bake, or the Shorthorn brisket and onion pudding.

Two dishes which, judging by the description, sound like good, solid rib-stickers.

Hotel du Vin spring fixed price menu
Duck and prosciutto ragout rigatoni bake

And for dessert? How about the delightfully decadent rich chocolate pudding with a light peanut butter mousse and candied maple bacon?

Or the wonderfully retro Lancashire Bomb Cheese and Eccles cake?

Prices start from £17.95 for two courses and from £20.95 for three depending on location.

The Hotel du Vin spring fixed price menu is available in St Andrews and Edinburgh.

All three can be booked via 5pm Dining.

Lancashire Bomb Cheese and Eccles cake at Hotel du Vin.
Lancashire Bomb Cheese and Eccles cake at Hotel du Vin.