Six miles inland from the famous links of St. Andrews, Scotland, the Peat Inn offers the perfect refuge for golfing pilgrims battered by wind, rain and a relentless assault of fish 'n' chips and other greasy Scottish clubhouse fare. This 300-year-old former coaching inn, which sits on the edge of a desolately beautiful field, is run by husband-and-wife duo Geoffrey and Katherine Smeddle and has just been awarded a Michelin star. A recent meal had the rewarding combination of surprise (cannelloni of hare) and comfort (roast rib eye of beef in red-wine sauce). But the all-round experience is the real joy.
Before a log fire, diners swap stories about recently visited castles, or that nasty bunker on St. Andrews' 17th hole. The convivial mood extends to eight welcoming rooms in which you're encouraged to stay the night. Making this a good idea is the comically excessive amount of wine served with the evening's tasting menu. The aftermath of six brimming glasses will definitely add to the shock of leaving this gem the following morning to do battle once more with those elemental golf courses along the coast.
A three-course lunch is around $25; the dinner tasting menu with wine costs about $146. Standard room rates are $300 per couple. See thepeatinn.co.uk.