Where to Buy
but until it opens you can buy from Ardross Farm Shop, St Andrews Botanic Garden shop and the Cocoa Tree Cafe.
Q The Lobster Store 34 Shoregate, Crail 01333 450476 May–Sep: Tue–Sun noon–4pm. Closed Mon. Oct–Apr: Sat/Sun noon–4pm. Closed Mon–Fri
Set in rather inauspicious surroundings on Crail harbour, the Reilly family’s Lobster Store is a familiar and reliable local stop for fresh crustaceans in the East Neuk. They supply dressed crab, boiled crab and lobster at the counter, all caught by the family themselves on their own dayboat, while a couple of local restaurants – including Anstruther’s Cellar – take supplies from them. Note, however, that they’re only open at weekends during late autumn, winter and spring.
Q Luvians 66 Market Street, St Andrews 01334 477752, luvians.com Mon–Sat 10am–10pm; Sun 12.30– 10pm
Dedicated wine and spirits shop linked to Luvians in Cupar. See below and main entry for Luvians Cupar branch on p.31.
Q Luvians Ice Cream Parlour 84 Market Street, St Andrews 01334 477128, luvians.com Mon–Sun 10am–6pm
One of three Luvians across Fife, this is a coffee as well as ice cream shop. Run by Anthony Fusaro for nearly twenty years, there’s something to satisfy most known vices – coffee, chocolate, ice cream and tobacco (with wine and whisky available down the road). All except the former come in a multitude of choice, with the ice cream freshly made every day using only local milk.
Q Minick of St Andrews 183 South Street, St Andrews 01334 472127 Mon–Fri 7.30am–5.30pm; Sat 7.30am– 5pm. Closed Sun
year-old butcher thriving, it’s expanding: a takeover of Butler & Co along the High Street will soon be followed by a third Fife opening. Much of Stuart Minick’s meat is from local farmers attending Forfar market. He provides private butchery for people with rare breeds, and has come to specialise in rare pork, lamb and cattle. As well as home-made pies and clootie dumplings, there are picnic-ready quiches, potted meats, and a good-quality range of deli items.
Q La Petite Epicerie 32 Cunzie Street, Anstruther 01333 312179, la-petite-epicerie.co.uk Mon–Sun 9am–6pm (closed Sun in winter)
Opened in 2009 by French owner Julien Poix, La Petite Epicerie is openly committed to sourcing as much as possible from an army of small, local suppliers, but with the quality and feel of a French delicatessen. Poix makes homemade pies, pâtés, quiches and jams, while local produce on show includes Anster cheese, Adamson’s oatcakes and fresh meat and smoked Àsh. Home delivery and outside catering services for small parties within the East Neuk area are available.
Q St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company Falside Farm, Anstruther 01333 312580, standrewscheese. co.uk Apr–Oct: Mon–Sat 9.30am–4.30pm; Sun 11am–4.30pm. Nov–Mar: Mon– Sat 10am–4pm; Sun 11am–4.30pm
While the café (see p.39) is the most popular part of the operation at Falside Farm, and the viewing gallery the most interesting when cheesemaking is underway, Jane Stewart’s cheeses are available for sale from the shop, along with a select range of deli and gift items.
CHEF’S CHOICE CRAIG WOOD ON PILLARS OF HERCULES
I’ve been using Pillars of Hercules for three or four years. I was looking for good quality, local, organic produce – though it really all comes down to the quality. Their selection is very much about seasonality. There are times when they’ll not have something, but we naturally change our menus every few weeks, tailoring them to what’s available, rather than the other way around. A lot of it is about the passion of the people who own and run it. When we order our veg, it’s clear a lot of care and nurturing has gone into the produce, giving it exceptional flavour. It hasn’t sat in a lorry for four days. When we get our salad it’s often picked the day before, or that morning. They’re also nice people to deal with. They’re not salesmen; they just produce something they totally believe in. Q Craig Wood is the chef/proprietor of the Wee Restaurant, North Queensferry. See p.43.
Bucking the trend, not only is this twoThe Fife Larder 29