Anyone who knows me would be able to testify to one fact – I like my food.
Actually, that is a fair understatement. What would be more accurate would be to say I am obsessed.
I watch countless TV programmes about food, I am always planning my next meal and I take pictures of just about everything I cook or order in a restaurant.
So when it was suggested my partner – who shares my somewhat enthusiastic passion for grub – and I try out a tasting menu from the new chef at Ducks, we simply could not refuse.
As it turned out, we both bit off far more than we could chew.
Ducks at Kilspindie House is a lovely little hotel in Aberlady, a quiet little village in East Lothian.
We had stayed at the hotel once before, and were welcomed by owner Malcolm Duck – with open arms and the host’s undeniable cheeky charm.
Our sizeable room still managed to feel cosy, with a comfy four-poster bed, a lovely big bath and armchairs by the window.
Before our dinner, we decided to head out and survey the local surroundings.
Aberlady sits right on the coast and it’s a short wander to the beach and a birdwatching centre, where helpful staff are happy to point out the best places to get a glimpse of the local wildlife.
We took a stroll along the sands and spotted some oyster catchers having their own feast as the tide started to come in.
With our legs stretched and the sea air working up our appetites, we were about ready for the meal ahead.
The deceptively roomy hotel has a lovely bar, a bistro and performance area for local bands as well as comfy sofas and a patio – spaces to suit guests looking for a party and those hoping for something a little more cosy.
We started our evening in the lounge area with a glass of bubbly – and an amuse bouche, a little teaser of the meal to come. Beautifully juicy tomatoes, basil sauce and mozzarella balls were served in a tall champagne glass. It was unusual – and an extremely refreshing palate tempter.
Mr Duck had opened the restaurant especially for us on the night in question, and it made it feel even more special having the place to ourselves.
The opening course was a clever take on a sushi roll. The rice was replaced with chicken and the beautiful little parcel was coated in toasted sesame seeds and served with a sticky, soy glaze – it was lovely.
The fish course was next and we each had something different.
I was served a monkfish ceviche, which pushed my usually unfussy palate to its limit. Slivers of raw fish, cured only by the citrus dressing, were topped with a sweet drizzle of passion fruit. The flavour was lovely, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the texture.
My seafood-phobic partner was also tested – as a plate of squid tentacles landed for him.
The purple, dappled strands were accompanied by finely sliced apple and caviar and, despite his reservations, he really enjoyed it.
The main event was something pretty special – for both of us.
I was honoured with a very luxurious seafood risotto with creamy oysters, luscious lobster chunks and an aniseed kick of tarragon – it was heaven.
My other half couldn’t have been happier with his main, which was a homage to quail.
Served roasted, as a confit and breaded with potato rosti, veg and a quail’s egg, it was a feast – and it nearly beat him.
We were flagging by this stage, but an ingenious mini course perked us right back up again.
Dark chocolate, surrounding in cheek-blistering sour cherry and topped with sherbet was served on a spoon as a palette-cleansing pick-me-up.
We knew pudding was going to be tough with us big-talking foodies feeling the strain of five-courses under our tightening belts.
But as soon as mine arrived in all its sweet glory, all thoughts of tomorrow’s diet were instantly forgotten.
My frozen white-chocolate parfait with espresso sauce, candied almonds and tempered chocolate shards was epic – sweet, bitter and crunchy all at once.
My partner’s much more refreshing, zingy – and healthy – pineapple with dark chocolate sauce and raspberries was a poor neighbour to my plush pudding, but he seemed happy enough.
After thanking the chef – Alessandro Grillo – we hefted our now groaning forms back to the sofa, where we sat with a coffee. A little shell-shocked by both the volume and amazing quality of the food, we watched Mr Duck play golf trick games with a group of delighted American tourists.
A good sleep in our four poster dispelled all the lies we had told each other the night before about cutting down on our food, and we enjoyed a delicious cooked breakfast before bidding farewell to our excellent host.
On the way home, we happened to pass Butterfly and Insect World, by Dobbies, just off the Edinburgh bypass.
At first, my other half balked at the £6.95 entrance fee – but he took it all back.
It was a fantastic attraction and we spent an easy two hours wandering around, having butterflies land on us and discovering weird and wonderful caterpillars before heading through to the insect exhibit where we got to hold snakes and tarantulas.
The tourist spot is probably more geared towards kids, but we had a thoroughly excellent time.
The only slight low point was when we spotted a family of quails tottering around beneath the lush greenery – and my boyfriend had a serous pang of guilt about how much he had enjoyed eating their relatives the evening before.
For more information about the hotel or the attraction, log on to www.ducks.co.uk or www.edinburgh-butterfly-world.co.uk