Top of the table
Our review of the P&J’s top-scoring restaurants for 2009 reveals a mouthwatering array of establishments the length and breadth of Scotland that are providing high standards of service and excellent cuisine. Eating out doesn’t get much better than this
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QUIETLY CLASSY
Rufflets Country House Hotel, Strathkinness Low Road, St Andrews:
“If you don’t want modern, and understated elegance is more to your taste, Rufflets offers dining in style. We were casually dressed, but I suspect that had I wandered in wearing a striped blazer, flannels and a boater, no one would have batted an eyelid.
The food was of a very high standard – the slow-roasted pork simply melted in the mouth. Nothing pretentious, just good, honest food served up in an imaginative way.”
FINE DINING CHEZ ROUX
Chez Roux Restaurant, Rocpool Reserve Hotel, Culduthel Road, Inverness:
“Only one thing has had Inverness foodies licking their lips recently – the latest restaurant to be born. The proud papa is acclaimed French chef Albert Roux, the Lionheart of Lyon, who – much to the delight of locals – roared into Inverness to open Chez Roux.
It has a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere which we felt from the moment a smiling member of staff greeted us at the front door. Our total bill – £83.30 – was, for a fine-dining experience with exceptionally good service, perfectly acceptable.”
CHECK OUT THE DIGBY CHICK
Digby Chick Restaurant, 5 Bank Street, Stornoway, Lewis:
“Arbroath has its smokies; Cullen has its skink, and Stornoway has its Digby Chick. The menu nicely reflects the surroundings – it’s a stylish eatery with smart decor and interesting artefacts. We were dining here at the suggestion of a local who hinted that, while some thought it a bit upmarket (usually those who hadn’t eaten there), the food was excellent and the prices reasonable. And boy was it good – an excellent, high-quality meal and superb value for money.”
BIG ON QUALITY – AND PORTIONS
Chapter One Restaurant, 39 High Street, Forres:
“The High Street restaurant, a joint venture between Sandra Philip and head chef John McCruden – an award-winner who previously worked at the Glenmoriston Hotel, Candles and the Mustard Seed restaurant in Inverness – offers a rather nice selection of Scottish and Italian food.
The family-friendly atmosphere is evident from the start, with warm greetings from all the staff. Everything is made in-house under the guidance of John, who, I am reliably informed, has food groupies who follow him from restaurant to restaurant.
My saffron and char-grilled artichoke risotto cake was unlike anything I’ve tried before. It was delicious, but as the portion was so huge, I barely managed to tackle half of it. Thanks to the high-quality but overly generous portions, I was looking rather like a large Womble by the end.”
FOR LOVELY GRUB
Glenspean Lodge, Roy Bridge, Fort William:
“The Glenspean Lodge more than lives up to the mantra that if you want to survive in Scotland’s rural hinterland you have to stand out from the crowd. Two visits – in three days – left me well fed and very impressed. I was delighted at the standard of service, the attention to detail and, more importantly, the food. Boy does this place know about excellent grub and presentation. The real delight was the main course, lamb shank, which was melt-in-mouth and full of taste. Dinner was excellent value for money and the young staff were very polite.”
Your Life’s popular restaurant review returns as normal next Saturday – January 2. All reviews are carried out by our undercover team of food critics. If you would like us to visit your favourite restaurant in Scotland, just send details to yourlife@ajl.co.uk
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers.
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