The Bridge restaurant at Rusacks St Andrew’s has launched a new Mediterranean menu created by chef Francesco Boto and overseen by Executive Chef and Masterchef: The Professionals winner, Derek Johnstone.
Drawing culinary inspiration from the coast and hillsides of France and Italy, to the villages and mountains of Spain, Greece, the Adriatic and the Levant, the new all-day dining offer celebrates the abundant flavours of Mediterranean cookery.
Mr Johnstone has been at the helm of Rusacks St Andrews since it opened in 2022. Joining him in a team of forty chefs, Francesco has supported since 18 and One Under Bar launched, with The Bridge now operating as a welcoming all day Mediterranean restaurant for hotel guests and visitors alike.
Derek said: “I can’t wait for everyone to try this new menu at The Bridge. I am passionate about the simplicity of ingredients on our menu; allowing our produce to speak for itself. I’ve been working alongside Francesco for two years now and his respect for the heritage of Italian cookery is admirable.
“In my twenties I spent time at Restaurant D’O in Milan. Here we used the finest local ingredients from neighbouring harbours and farms, simply prepared to offer a seasonal menu to be enjoyed by the whole family round the table.”
Francesco said: “Being from Italy, I am most familiar with Mediterranean ingredients and moving away from home has also allowed me to cook alongside many chefs from other Mediterranean countries.
“My passion for cooking developed in culinary school in Italy where we toured regional Italy meeting the best producers and fellow chefs. Similarly, here at Rusacks St Andrews, we forge strong relationships with our supplier partners to understand how to get the best out of the wonderful ingredients all around us.”
The Bridge bar team has created a Mediterranean inspired wine and cocktail menu to accompany the food offer, featuring a House Negroni with Eden Mill red wine cask aged gin, The Rusacks Spritz with Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb and Ginger Liqueur, and a Fino and Tonic with Lustu Fino de Jerez Sherry, citrus and rose tonic.
