Sometimes, you just need to take the plunge. A few years back, I was watching an episode of “Two Men in Kilts.” They were in Edinburgh, where they visited a Michelin-starred restaurant called The Kitchin. The unique dishes showcased on the show piqued my interest, and during our trip to Edinburgh this April, we decided to make a spontaneous stop there for a drink.

This visit sparked a bit of controversy among us, so I’ll explain. Bill, Charisse, Katy, and I had spent a beautiful April day at Rosslyn Chapel, carrying small everyday backpacks not the heavy-duty hiking gear that you see on many travelers. When we entered the modest bar area of The Kitchin, the host greeted us by saying, “This is not a pub.” Given our casual appearance, it was an understandable reminder to set our expectations straight. However, the others took it as a subtle hint that we didn’t quite meet the restaurant’s standards.

Despite the initial awkwardness, we received excellent service and enjoyed our fancy drinks—I opted for the “Smoke.” Afterward, we headed to The Ship on the Shore for dinner, and the debate over the host’s true intention continued through dinner and continues to this day.

Back for a second attempt

Fast forward to September, and we found ourselves on our second trip to Scotland this year—this time with other good friends – Rick and Marianne. During our first weekend, a friend from Wilmington, NC, Caleb on short-term assignment in London, joined us. We were dining at The Ship on the Shore, a place that holds special significance for Katy and me since we honeymooned in Edinburgh back in 1992, and Ship on the Shore became our favorite spot. Now, it’s a must-visit every time we’re in town. Before dinner, we stopped by The Kitchin bar again for drinks, and this time, there was no controversy.

On our last full day in Edinburgh, we finally had a reservation for a 2:30 p.m. lunch at The Kitchin, making it beyond the bar for the first time. I won’t go into detail about the food, except to say that every bite was packed with flavor, and I found myself savoring each one, slowing down to fully enjoy the experience. Beyond the outstanding cuisine, the service was noticeably exceptional—better than any place I’ve ever been. What stood out even more was that it wasn’t pretentious; the staff genuinely ensured that everyone had the best experience possible.

Outside of comfort zone

I find it interesting that while traveling, I love exploring different restaurants, yet at home, I’m perfectly content with the meals from my Big Green Egg and Katy’s cooking. This means we don’t venture out as often as we could. That said, we did enjoy a visit to Tiburon in downtown Fishers recently. And just the other night, Katy got me to step out of my usual five-mile radius for a dinner at Vida. The experience reminded me a lot of The Kitchin; in both places, the service is so exceptional that it allows you to fully relax and savor each bite.

It’s hard to imagine finding better food than what we had at these spots. What truly sets both The Kitchin and Vida apart for me is their extensive wine lists, which go far beyond what most restaurants offer. This gives me a chance to try wines that I normally wouldn’t encounter or don’t have access to. In fact, it was a Wall Street Journal article about wines that first led me to discover Vida.

Whether at home or while traveling, it’s worth stepping outside your comfort zone and taking the plunge. You never know what you’re missing until you give it a try.