Cream of the barley

The Editor finds a gem of an establishment deep in the Perthshire countryside.

The phrase ‘restaurant with rooms' can often strike fear into the heart of the seasoned traveller.

This collection of words has been so over used in the past few years that is has come to mean anything from a restaurant with a few substandard rooms or a hotel with a restaurant serving less than exciting food. It can mean mediocre at best, horrible at worst.

Thankfully it is great to see a couple take this moniker by the scruff of the neck and beat it back into something that actually stands for high standards, elegance, impressive rooms and heavenly food.

I found the Barley Bree in Muthill, Perthshire, while looking for accommodation for the Journey's Blend trip. There was one small problem when booking in the fact they weren't usually open on the Monday, however the management went above and beyond to accommodate us when they could have just said no.

The place itself is an old coaching inn dating back to the early 18th century, and the interiors emulate this theme, while retaining a stylish and modern feel.

Barley Bree is owned & run by Fabrice and Alison Bouteloup who both have long experience in the catering trade.

Fabrice trained to become a chef in France before moving to the UK 15 years ago. He has worked in various restaurants around the country including the Michelin-starred Putney Bridge Restaurant in London and Atrium in Edinburgh where he was head chef, before setting out on his own at Barley Bree.

Alison comes from a family background in catering, and spe...

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• By : Rob Allanson
• In : Best of Scotland
• Issue : 48
• Page : 58
• Words : 698