THE GOOD FOOD GUIDE. Featured in 2023. Main Entry. Rating: Good+

“A 20-year tenure at the Oxford Arms in Kirtlington earned Bryn and Oxana Jones a strong pedigree that stood them in good stead when they relocated to Scotland in 2022. It also gave them the opportunity to sensitively refresh and expand this historic coaching inn on the scenic, remote and – at times – dramatic road across the Borders between Moffat and Selkirk. The Gordon Arms is a genuine family affair – Bryn in the kitchen, Oxana front of house – and guests are drawn into the comforting solidity of well-banked fires, convivial chat and a sense of respite and restoration from travel. Seasonality, sustainability and local sourcing are evident across the carte and monthly changing five-course tasting menu – and there’s a keen eye for value, too. You’re welcome to have just one dish or three kindly priced courses. Expect carefully prepared, rustic food from a chef who understands the quality of his raw materials and is content to let them shine. A satisfyingly hearty game terrine reflects the Borders location, embracing whatever came out of the gamekeeper’s bag that day, simply complemented by homemade plum chutney and sourdough. Venison salami from the Yarrow Valley, meanwhile, is partnered by unapologetically chunky celeriac rémoulade. Lamb loin ‘melting in the mouth and tasting divine’ has all the flavour you’d expect from a life on the surrounding heather-clad hills, while a roseate venison Wellington is the perfect exemplar of that dish. For dessert, look for Oxana’s deft touch in a flourless chocolate and hazelnut torte alongside Armagnac prunes or classic orchard-based fruit desserts from the garden. The wine list is well-focused, with some interesting and affordable options as well as a decent selection by the glass or carafe.” December, 2023

————————

“A highly talented chef and charming and attentive front of house partner make a visit always memorable. We were regulars at their previous place in Oxfordshire and were very sad to see them leave. It was clear they were a highly regarded part of that community with an impressive menu of entirely locally sourced ingredients. We have since made the four hundred mile journey in order to try the rooms and remind ourselves what we no longer have available locally. It is clear from visiting that The Gordon Arms is established as a favourite with locals and again has a seasonally changing menu drawing on locally sourced products.“

————————

“I Bet Their First Michelin Star is on its Way. After our fourth visit we really had to write a review.
We had a fabulous lunch again at the Gordon Arms Restaurant with rooms. The new owners and staff seem to know what they are doing. The food and the service were outstanding: unpretentious but amazing singing flavours and service was absolutely spot on. The ingredients are mostly sourced locally and it’s clearly indicated on the back of the weekly changing seasonal menu. The simplicity of the menu belies the quality taste and perfect seasoning of the dishes. The location whilst being drive is well worth it for the scenic surroundings.
P.S. We are going to be back again next week and probably stay overnight as well, so we try a couple of wines from their very good wine list.”

————————

“My wife and I have just spent a night in The Gordon Arms ,from the moment we arrived we were treated like friends not customers Oxana welcomed us and showed us to our room which was very nice ,clean warm and very comfortable. We went down for dinner and for a drink in the bar ,Bryn came through from the kitchen to say hello .Our table was ready for us and as we had ordered in the bar the starter arrived ,it was excellent , when our mains arrived piping hot and cooked to perfection , we then had a short break till our deserts arrived and oh my were we happy it was fantastic .Everything was perfect the food and the service .Next morning we went down for breakfast and as we had pre ordered the night before everything was ready ,freshly cooked and very well presented. I would say that Oxana and Bryn have made a fantastic place to stay and eat and I would predict that in the not too distant future you will need to book months and months in advance because once this secret gets out it will be booked solid .The hole experience was great and we will be returning, it was also great value considering the quality of the food and the accommodation.“

————————

“Warm, welcoming, extremely talented and ambitious, Oxana, Bryn (& their powerful wee team) will make you feel like a member of the family, though the experience is more like a luxury boutique hotel. Food: Creative menu built on the bedrock of locally sourced (Borders) ingredients cooked with a delicate touch. e.g. scallops with curried lentils, both of which melted like butter with the perfect amount of warmth. When word gets out about the Gordon Arms, I hope we can still find a space!”

————————

“A destination worth finding in beautiful Border hills, with warm and comfortable rooms and a cosy restaurant serving delicious, genuine, home-cooked food using many local ingredients. Charming service, a relaxing atmosphere and a surprising wine list that may surprise you with some excellent choices.”

————————

“We were not perhaps the easiest group to accommodate – 9 in number including two young people and two vegans. But we were all made to feel totally welcome; our varying needs were willingly and unstintingly met; the food (dinner and breakfast) was delicious; and the rooms were warm and comfortable. We couldn’t have wished for a better stay.”

————————

“We’ve been visiting the Gordon Arms for over 30 years in its many guises. We visited it this August expecting it to be the same bar/restaurant it was over the last couple of years since it had been done up. It was such a lovely surprise to see that it is under new management (no offense intended at all to the previous owners). Everything is done to such a high standard…from the high quality printed menus which change every week, the linen napkins and the subtle inoffensive background music. Our food was superb and all cooked to order. Another reviewer mentioned service was slow…it was no problem to wait for food cooked freshly and superbly. The Chef found time to come and chat with us after our meal. I wish the new owners all the success in the world as they bloody well deserve it after the effort they have put in.”

————————

“Staff, food and rooms all demonstrated the attention to detail of the owners. A comfortable and welcoming Inn with warming log fires and dark wood floors making for a comfortable feeling of the old style Coaching Inn but painted white making it bright with a modern touch and interesting art work. The food, prepared by the owner, is locally sourced and with a carefully balanced menu is delicious.”

————————

“I have dined twice at the Gordon Arms Restaurant in Yarrow Valley, near Selkirk, in the Scottish Borders. The menu is sophisticated, the dishes that my friends and I ordered were delicious, the service excellent, and the setting cozy (a fire in the fireplace and 6 or 7 tables). This former “inn” was a meeting place for now-famous writers in the nineteenth century including Walter Scott, James Hogg, and others–a historical atmosphere that still inhabits this place. For me, this sense of Scottish history greatly enhances the modern dining experience in the Gordon Arms.”

————————

“An amazing stay in this historic inn situated in the stunning Scottish Borders. The rooms are fresh and comfortable with excellent mattresses for a good night’s sleep. Bryn and Oxana are superb hosts and the food is what makes the Gordon Arms exceptional. We ate there both nights of our stay; there were five of us so we gave the menu a wide tasting and it is fair to say that every dish was a winner. The wine list is short but very reasonably priced for the quality of the wines on offer. Breakfast was delicious too, all freshly prepared and plentiful to set one up for a day of exploring.” 

————————

“A delightful restaurant, with comfortable rooms and bar, in a historic coaching inn in the Scottish borders. Fantastic food: with an interesting variety of dishes, including a mouth-watering pork dish, and local, seasonal vegetables cooked to perfection (a highlight being the courgette flowers in tempura with honey sauce!). Charming service. Worth travelling many miles for – and stay for their delicious breakfast: which illustrates the difference between a chef and a cook!”

————————

“The Gordon Arms is set in a beautiful location – excellent for walking or driving. My wife and I stayed two nights. Our bedroom was very comfortable and well furnished. Oxana was very welcoming and helpful and the barman/waiter was courteous, friendly and efficient. The choice of meals was good and Bryn’s cooking is excellent. We have every intention of staying again in the next few months.”

————————

“It is so nice to have a restaurant like this so close to home. This is the 2nd time we have visited and once again the menu was interesting and the food so full of flavours! The gazpacho was bursting with summer herbs, and the crab linguine was to die for! Crab, lemon, parsley all came through to the ooohs and aahs of those of us who chose it. My friends had sea bass – delicious- and Borders lamb on ratatouille- soft and flavoursome. Personally I was now full after 2 courses, but my friends managed gooseberry and almond tart – sweet, smooth and summery – and a chocolate fondant dessert that smelt fantastic before you even tasted it. All in all fabulous tasting food, and we will not hesitate to go back for autumn season.”

————————