Libertine (Toronto)

Posted on Sunday, October 27, 2013 by
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 1307 Dundas Street West
Website: http://www.thelibertinespeak.com/
Type of Meal: Dinner
If you’re going to visit Libertine, make sure you know what to look the restaurant has no signage.  Instead, you’ll see a neon rectangle “tarot cards palm reading” sign over the doorway and likely see a group of older men smoking outside at the billiard’s place beside it.  It’s situated in the basement of the building and along the way down you’ll see a small room behind a beaded curtain where the fortune teller resides (when we visited on a Friday they weren’t there, but readings range from $25-$45).

The lounge/dining room is open and spacious, making you forget about the narrow door and stairway you just descended.  There are plenty of horseshoe shaped booths, long barstool tables for large groups and a fair sized bar.  The mythological fortune teller theme continues with the art adorning the walls and wheel of fortune at the back. 

The menu changes depending on ingredient availability, but generally offers a fair number of vegetarian and vegan options.  Libertine is another “small plates” format restaurant where dishes are meant to be shared around the table.  During our visit we tried a total of five dishes;   in general, they were decent but some a bit confusing with the addition of elements that didn’t go at all.  Normally, I like dishes with varying flavours and textures, but there has to be some cohesion or at the very least have complementary ingredients for the concoction to be successful.  

The pierogies ($14) was an example of such a dish. Included in the dish were pan fried pierogies with a piece of pork belly.  But, then sprinkled over everything were flakes of sweet freeze dried (?) milk that stuck to your teeth (an ingredient our table would have happily had eliminated from the dish). Aside from the milk flakes, the dish consisted of three mediocre pierogies and a small piece of chewy pork belly.  The pierogies’ potato and cheese filling (cheddar and gruyere in Libertine’s case) was tasty but could be a bit saltier as it really didn’t hold up to the dough.  I’ve had much better ones at Pravda.  The pork belly was also lackluster with none of the richness you’d expect. When seeing it on the menu, this was the one I was most excited about but ended up disappointed with.
Another mishmash dish was the poached prawn ($14).  The prawns were well cooked and when combined with the sprinkles of chorizo added a great salty essence to everything. The edamame pods were also good and brought a nice fresh crunchy aspect to everything.  But, then there were cubes of potatoes and guacamole piped into shrimp chips; although good on their own, didn’t seem to go with the poached prawns.
But, there were some good dishes such as fried tofu ($11).  Delicate pieces of silken egg tofu were freshly deep fried and combined with a flavourful dashi broth and aromatic shallots.  Some small pieces of broiled (?) cauliflower were also included to contrast the soft tofu.  Sprinkles of nori strips and edible flowers topped the dish giving it a beautiful presentation.  This is an excellent example of a dish that does have a lot of flavours and ingredients but they worked.
Another one was the fried chicken ($16), but it’s pretty hard to mess up crunchy chicken.  The pieces were tender and still had a crispy savoury crust. Small pieces of bibb lettuce and pickled carrots accompanied the chicken to give it a bo ssam feel (although it’s weird that there are six pieces of chicken but only four pieces of lettuce).  But then again, the dish appeared to be torn between being Korean or Southern as it also had coleslaw and ketchup included with it that didn’t really go well with the bo ssam theme.

Lastly, the pasta fritta ($7), reminding me of a cross between a pita puff and garlic knots was split between our table.  I found it to be fairly flavourful with the coating of black garlic and parmesan making it a good snack to accompany beers.  But, another guest detested it and found its oiliness off putting compared to the other menu items.

Libertine only offers one dessert nightly, which for us was a panna cotta ($8).  I didn’t actually have any but appeared to be enjoyed by the other guests.

Instead, I opted for the Miss Shirley cocktail ($11.50; even though the menu states all cocktails are $13).  It took a long time for it to arrive and when it did looked as if someone had already drank from it (the enclosed picture is actually how it full the cocktail was at arrival). Who knows, perhaps that’s why they didn’t charge full price for it. Nonetheless, the cocktail had an interesting herby taste that I enjoy from the basil added to the gin and strawberry puree.  Although it looks sweet and girly, the dash of white balsamic Libertine adds to it actually cuts the sweetness.
A libertine is described on Wikipedia as “one devoid of most moral restraints … especially one who ignores or even spurns accepted morals and forms of behaviour sanctified by the larger society”.  During our visit, the patrons didn’t seem to be libertines at all; rather, most were quiet with only one person dared to spin the wheel of fortune, capturing everyone’s attention for a brief moment.

We left the restaurant at about 10:30 on a Friday and even at that point it was still relatively empty and the lounge vibe didn’t start yet.  In the end, Libertine appears to be trying to become another supper club but in my opinion hasn’t mastered either yet.   

 Overall mark - 6.5 out of 10


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Gastro World's Grading System
  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!


Restaurant Martin Wishart (Edinburgh)

Posted on Saturday, October 26, 2013 by
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Address: 54 The Shore
Website: http://www.restaurantmartinwishart.co.uk/
Type of Meal: Lunch
When a Michelin starred restaurant offers a 3-course lunch menu for £28.50 it’s a deal that's hard to pass up. So, we made the short cab ride out to Leith, Northwest of Edinburgh's city centre, to visit the restaurant.

Being a French restaurant, you certainly got that classic upscale French feeling when you walked into Martin Wishart with the crisp white linen, sparkly crystal and shiny silverware. Luckily, the staff were friendly and didn't appear to be snooty, albeit not nearly as friendly as the other Edinburgh restaurants we encountered. 

Not long after ordering a small dice sized horseradish beet macaron was presented meant to be eaten in one bite to wake up the palette. It was an interesting combination with the sweet macaron shell and the creamy horseradish spiked filling; a good savoury take on the French dessert. 
Following was a more substantial amuse bouche trio consisting of a haggis croquette, foie gras shavings and a parmesan cheese puff.  I thoroughly enjoyed the fried haggis ball with its smooth flavourful meat filling and crunchy exterior.  Not being a fan of foie gras, for ethical reasons, I was glad it was only a small portion. Nonetheless, it was smooth and flavourful and almost refreshing in how they prepared it – it appeared to be mixed it with something, frozen and then shaved and topped with a complementary crispy element. The cheese puff was tasty - as cheese and choux pastry generally would be, with an astonishing amount of cheese for such a small ball.
My starter, ravioli of wild mushroom, was my favourite dish of the meal.  It could have easily been a main with another ravioli and the addition of some protein. Even though the pasta dough was thin, there was still a nice chewy texture and stuffed full with diced mushrooms - the mixture being so dense that you could have sworn there was some meat in there binding it all together. The foam was delicate and allowed the woodsy mushroom flavour to shine through.  Even the sautéed cabbage sitting under the ravioli, a smart way to stop them from sliding around the dish, was delicious. 
As can be seen from the picture below, the roast cod was seared beautifully giving it a golden brown crust, which goes so well with the delicate soft fish.  The dish was a bit salty, not sure if it was from the foam, the fish or the wilted spinach on the bottom. The fish itself was good but not very memorable.  The only unexpected highlight was the thin medallions of potato boulangere dotted around the dish - deliciously flavourful with a slight herby essence, which is somewhat sad given they were an inconsequential part of the meal.
On the other hand, the navarin of Dornoch lamb my husband ordered was such an intensely flavourful dish.  This French lamb stew was a good nod to Scottish cuisine and almost like beef bourguignon.  The lamb was tender, flaked apart easily and had a rich deep sauce covering everything. This is certainly a hearty dish you want if you're hungry, Martin Wishart provides a substantial portion topped with typical stew ingredients (carrots, onions and mushrooms). Celeriac purée, served in a separate dish, accompanied the dish and added a silky, buttery and creamy touch to everything. 
French cuisine is known for their desserts and my apple tart bourdaloude did not disappoint its warm flaky crust, beautifully fanned layer of apples and dollop of chantilly cream. Thankfully, the apples were cooked well - tender throughout but still had a slight bite to it.  For me, the dessert was too sweet; I just wish the apple itself was a bit tarter so it could have cut through the sugary syrup. 
I loved that Martin Wishart has a cheese cart, which they roll over when you order the cheese plate (supplement of £10).  There are about a dozen of options available and the server asks your preference before building a cheese plate catered to your palate.  My husband, liking stronger tasting cheddars and not blue cheeses, was given a variety of French cheeses with one lone Scottish cheddar. Not pictured are some crackers and bread that is placed on your side plate when this is ordered.

Enclosed below is a picture of the chocolate macaron with black current filling ordered by another guest. I can't comment on how it tastes since I never tried it, but thought I'd share since it was so beautifully presented.

Sadly, there were a couple of slight hiccups that I found surprising for a Michelin rated restaurant.
  • Perhaps this is common in Scotland, but when we requested tea and coffee with our dessert, we were instantly charged the coffee + petit fours option with the meal (£5.95).  To make things worse, we weren't even brought any of the petit fours, despite being charged to it making each hot beverage quite costly.  I will say that I enjoyed that they heated up their teapots and milk, but still for £6 a cup it was a bit steep.  
  • The second issue was that they just couldn't remember my water choice! My guests prefer sparkling (£5.50 per bottle) while I just like plain ice water.  Both times they refilled my glass, either I or someone from my table had to stop them and state no sparkling water for me as I prefer ice.  After hearing this, they didn't offer to replace my water so I had to drink the carbonated version that I detest.  I know it’s something small, but something that easily could have been avoided – just write down the guest’s preferences somewhere!
All in all, for the price of the meal, Martin Wishart is a great value option.  For the most part the dishes were delicious and atmosphere posh, elegant and relaxing.


 Overall mark - 7.5 out of 10


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 ____________________________
Gastro World's Grading System
  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!

Bramble Bar (Edinburgh)

Posted on Sunday, October 13, 2013 by
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Address: 16A Queen St
Website: http://www.bramblebar.co.uk/
Type of Meal: Drinks  

If you find yourself in front of a dry cleaning place while looking for Bramble then you’re at the right place!  With no prominent signs and the non-descript location, it can definitely be over looked.  So, first find the dry cleaners, head down the stairs and the door on the left is where you want to enter. 


Just looking for Bramble brings a whole speakeasy vibe to the place, which continues when you enter.  The small basement space is dark and intimate, with lighting given from candles scattered around tables and the bar.  With a cozy bar area and a few small seating nooks you want to show up early or risk being packed by the entrance.

It’s really hard to decide what to order with Bramble’s extensive menu of cocktails.  Even if you wanted a simple gin and tonic, they have 40 types of gin and a plethora of mixers to choose from!  I tried one of the “recommended” G&T’s called Three Corners & Fevertree Tonic (£6).  Although it looks simple, watching him make it made me realize the amount of work that goes into the drink and now understand why Bramble was voted as one of the best bars in Edinburgh and the World. 

The bartender obtained a large sphere of ice and painstakingly whittled it down until it was the perfect size for my glass.  Next, he added to it was a freshly sliced piece of orange peel and a crushed seed (not sure what it was), before a small bottle of Fevertree Tonic was opened up and finished off the drink. The first sip is extremely strong, but once the ice block melted down and the orange and seed mixed in everything mellowed out.

My husband asked for custom one and was asked a few questions before they narrowed it down to one that was good for him.  Certainly the options and combinations are endless!
We also tried some of their mixed cocktails.  The Bramble (£6.50) is a safe bet consisting of Bombay Dry Gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, sugar syrup & creme de mures (a blackberry liqueur.  It was fruity and simple, tasting somewhat like a grown-up Killer Kool-Aid.  
I personally preferred my Most Unusual Drink (£7) more, especially since it was served in a teacup martini glass – how great is that?  Also gin based (this time using Sourdough Hendrick), its flavours are derived from cucumber manzanilla (type of sherry?), freshly squeezed lime juice and rose water.  The flavours were very crisp and clean, absolutely delicious!
Bramble is a good place to head to with a few friends who appreciate tasty fresh drinks.  This is not the place to go if you want to dance or are expecting to meet people.  When we went, early on a Friday, it seemed like a mix of the after work crowd, friends catching up and date crowds.  Everyone pretty much stuck to themselves, chatting away.  The surroundings were crowded by still pleasant with each drink giving us something to enjoy and talk about. With so many to choose from, it’s definitely somewhere you can keep going back to.

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CLOSED: THR & Co. (Toronto)

Posted on Thursday, October 10, 2013 by
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 97 Harbord Street
Type of Meal: Dinner

THR & Co. (short form for The Harbord Room & Company) is situated two doors down from the first restaurant with a slightly larger dining room and menu.  The food offerings are similar (pastas and proteins); but, in the place of the iconic burger are pizza pies (three on the menu and usually a daily special as well). All pastas include an option of a half or full size, which makes it great for trying multiple ones or having as an appetizer (coincidentally what I did).


My starter of black spaghetti ($13; half portion shown or full portion available for $19) gets it colour from the squid or cuttlefish ink added into the dough.  Aside from its dark colour, the ink also adds a seafood like essence to the pasta making it quite flavourful even without a sauce.  THR & Co. serves the pasta aglio e olio style (essentially with a garlic and oil based sauce) allowing the seafood flavours to shine through.  As a warning, there is a lot of oil in the dish; I found it to be to too much and ended up scooping up the pasta into my side plate in order to wipe some of the oil off.



Pieces of charred squid and bottarga (a Mediterranean cured fish roe) add a deep briny seafood taste to the spaghetti and made me reminiscent of a heavenly plate of spaghetti I had sitting ocean side at Positano’s port.  It’s hard to describe but is a complex flavour that floods the mouth and is likely an acquired taste.  The addition of poblano and pequin peppers add a spicy kick to the pasta that’s unexpected but delightful.

My husband opted for the beef heart tartare ($12) which sounds off putting but is actually very delicious.  Not as chewy as normal beef tartare, the heart is much lighter and allows the dish to become almost pâté like while still retaining some distinctive pieces.  The beef was very well flavoured with salty green olive relish, a light espelette (type of pepper) mayonnaise, a dusting of cured duck yolk and drizzles of Banyuls vinegar (a French wine vinegar).  With all the different flavours you can’t even taste the beef heart!  Served with a light fried chip (which may be the crispy tendon that’s noted on the menu?) rather than bread the texture is a great smooth and crispy contrast.  The crispy chip is light and airy; the consistency a mix between pork rind and a shrimp chip (without their flavours).

Continuing with the carbs, I had the dandelion and ricotta pizza pie ($14) as my main. It arrives with a fried egg in the middle, which the server breaks with a spoon and smooths over the hot pizza to allow the egg yolk to cook. Salty pieces of pancetta, thinly slice potatoes and white cheddar shavings top the pizza – all nice simple flavours.  I particularly like the rosemary leaves sprinkled on top along with smoked salt giving the pizza a wonderful earthy essence.  The dandelion is broken down into the oil based sauce spread onto the dough and along with the ricotta are neutral tasting letting the other ingredients shine through.  The crust is thin, crispy and has a great corn meal crusted bottom that you can actually hold in your hand without it drooping.  Each pizza is served with a pair of scissors making it a breeze to cut and share.

The rib eye’s ($28) chimichurri sauce was delicious and helped cut through the fattier cut of steak.  Alas, both steaks ordered at our table arrived extremely overdone.  The over doneness is likely done to the steak being cut too thinly (less than an inch thick).  Normally, if a cheaper cut of beef like a flat iron or skirt steak is used, the thinner cut may be warranted.  However, the rib eye is such a well-marbled cut that a thicker cut can be withstood.  Nonetheless, the steak was still tender and well flavoured from the sauce and pat of marrow butter.

My husband ordered a side of summer succotash ($6) to accompany the otherwise unadorned steak.  It was a great side for the warm weather made up of kernels of sweet corn, zucchini, pearl onion and grape tomatoes.  Unlike the other dishes that are very strongly flavoured, the side was minimalistic with the natural flavours of the vegetables.  It also had a small square of grilled corn bread that I never had a chance to try as my husband gobbled it all down.

Each day THR & Co. offers a selection of home-made ice creams and sorbets ($5/scoop).  During our visit, we sampled beautifully adorned coconut, strawberry, buttermilk and dulce del leche scoops.  They were all delicious with each person at the table liking a different flavour.  My favourite was coconut, which had a nice light taste.  My husband’s favourite was the creamy buttermilk drizzled with honey. The strawberry sorbet was topped with savoury bits giving it a nice sweet and salty combination. 

Served with the dessert was a shooter of home-made lemoncello ($7) which has a splendid citrus smell that is so refreshing after a heavy dinner.  With just a hint of lemon and sweetness, this is a very easy drinking.

I also tried the Tall Confession ($12) made from gin, mint syrup, cucumber soda and fresh lime juice, topped with blueberries and a wedge of cucumber.  Despite it being a brilliant pink colour, it’s not like a girly cosmo – the Tall Confession is light and refreshing, a great summer cocktail.

Overall, THR & Co. appears to be a place that offers something for all.  During our visit, there was an eclectic crowd of patrons of vary ages and cultures.  Perhaps what draws people in is the friendliness of the staff and their laid back attitude – we saw them joking and helping each other and got the sense that they genuinely liked working there.  Even though there’s a finer dining flair to the place (as noticed by the cutlery change with each course), things are still down-to-earth and comfortable.  The postcard below arrived with our bill, cute but must have a hidden message – can someone please tell me what this means?!
 
Overall mark - 8 out of 10




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 ____________________________
Gastro World's Grading System
  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!



The Bon Vivant (Edinburgh)

Posted on Sunday, October 06, 2013 by
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Address: 55 Thistle Street
Website: http://www.bonvivantedinburgh.co.uk/
Type of Meal: Dinner

Located on a small street, The Bon Vivant is a restaurant you may miss unless you know the look for it down the cobblestone laneway.  Inside the restaurant, the dining room is much larger than expected but still small enough to provide a cozy intimate feeling. With dim lighting, candlelit wine bottles and tables placed in cozy nooks this is a great date place.


The first portion of the menu offers appetizers in "bite" or "starter" portions.  The bites are for £1 each while starters range from £3 - £5.  In reality, the pricing makes no difference as the starters are just a multiple of the bites - those £3 contain 3 pieces while £4 dishes contain 4 pieces. We ordered a few starters to share amongst our table of four.   

First up were the vegetable fritters (£3) which had a great golden brown colour.  The crust was outstanding with a crispy texture without being overly hard.  The inside consisted of shredded carrots,   zucchini and salsify (?) which in itself are not strong flavours but offered some nice contrasting colours. I found the batter to be a bit lumpy - it wasn't unpleasant just unexpected. A spinach pesto topped the fritters giving it a bit more flavour. Not a bad start and a favourite amongst the table. 


My favourite tapa dish was the steak and peanut meatballs (£4) which had such a rich flavour to it.  The Bon Vivant used steak cuts of meat as the base providing a much beefier essence while still being relatively lean. The peanuts sounded like a weird ingredient but were subtle and appeared to be ground into the meat with just some small soft bits throughout.  The tomato sauce was great flavourful sauce that's a mix between marinara and gravy, nice and mellow and not too acidic.

The chorizo in cider (£4) was not my favourite, but then again I never really liked this sausage.  It’s much milder in flavour likely due to it being boiled in the cider.  The sauce was a nice mix of briny tanginess and good for dipping the bread into. Strangely, they only provided us with two wedges of bread despite there being four of us and the appetizer portion equivalent to four "bites".  It would have been nice if there was enough for one per person.  

My main was good but not my favourite.  Wanting to try something different, I opted for the seared hare loin and bridie (the leg of the hare)(£16.50).  The dish was quite a substantial portion despite the small size of the hare and the meat very tender.  The meat has a gamey flavour and is sort of like duck but stronger.  

Normally, I would have been enjoyed the dish but the accompanying ingredients, sweet potato mash and salsify, were just too sweet and similar for my taste.  Additionally the sauce consisted of chestnuts jus which also did not contrast the rest of the ingredients.  The only thing that differed was the wood sorrel but these are very light tasting mushrooms so didn't stand out.  If only there was something else - a vinegary or savoury sauce or a fresher vegetable I would have liked it much more. The empanada like pastry on top was a bit unexpected but was good with its flakey crust.  The filling, I believe was the bridie, could have been flavoured more as was sort of bland.

Without a doubt, the best dish of the night was the haggis (£9.50) which actually looked appetizing. Seriously, travel shows have done this dish injustice by showing it served in the stomach, The Bon Vivant serves theirs in a formed shape on the plate and actually looks nice.  The texture was thick and smooth but still had some pieces with bite to it.  I found it to taste like a thicker sheppard's pie mixture with richer flavours.  It didn't taste like offal at all and was actually delicious. The accompanying gratin dauphinois (scalloped potatoes) were amazing and rich, just the right consistency (soft throughout but still a bit a bite in the potatoes) and had a hint of horseradish in it that gave it a wonderful zing. The roast neeps (turnips) and leafy greens were a bit plain but I think that's necessary when the rest of the dish is already so heavy and flavourful.

We also ordered a side of triple cooked hand cut chips (£3) for the table that were some of the best fries I've had.  I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a fry connoisseur and have tried many throughout Toronto.  Up until now, I thought I like the thinner fries (my favourite being the ones served at Beer Bistro and One) and generally detested the thick and filling wedges.  My perception has changed as the ones in Scotland were still light and crumbly yet had such a great crunch and rich potato flavour to it.  Something about their potatoes are amazing, the flavour so pronounce without even using the skin.  In Canada, we often only get the strong potato taste if the skin is left on the spud, but the skin also leaves a metallic zing to it.  In Scotland, their chips have such a lovely essence without needing the skin. The Bon Vivant’s chips were simply salted and arrived burning hot … I couldn’t stop eating them because they were so delicious.

Being voted as one of the top bars in Edinburgh, they also offer are a variety of beers and wine at reasonable prices - approximately £6/glass for wine and £3.50/pint for beer. 
What made Bon Vivant outstanding was their service.  Everyone was welcoming and attentive right from the beginning. Knowing we were tourists, our waiter took the time to explain what ingredients were as many were named differently - "swede" for turnips and "tatties" for potatoes.  Another employee, Kyle, also took the time to offer pub and attraction suggestions even plotting it on a map for us.  Given this was our first meal in Scotland we had a great welcoming experience into the country – thank you to the Bon Vivant for showing us the “good life”.
Overall mark - 8 out of 10


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 ____________________________
Gastro World's Grading System
  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!

The Harbour Cafe at Venachar Lochside (Callander)

Posted on Saturday, October 05, 2013 by
Location: Callander, Scotland
Address: Trossachs Leisure Ltd (FK17 8HP)
Website: http://www.venachar-lochside.com/
Type of Meal: Lunch

 While travelling with Discreet Scotland, our guide stopped by The Harbour Café located in a secluded area overlooking Loch Venachar.  Whether you sit inside in the dining room or on the patio, you get to take in the spectacular view, as shown from the picture below.





The Harbour Cafe provided me with the opportunity to try another Scottish delicacy the cullen skink (£5.50). The best part is the fish broth base bringing such a rich seafood flavour to the soup.  With the addition of smoked haddock, potatoes, leeks a dash of white wine and cream, there’s also a smoky and hearty feel to the cullen skink. Although it looks like chowder, the consistency is thinner and more like broth; so, it’s not too heavy. Some may find it a tad salty, but it was perfect for dipping the hunk of fresh Scottish bread into. The Harbour Cafe gives a pretty substantial portion so that the cullen skink is a meal in itself.

Their cheeseburger (£9.45) was also delicious and the first I've had in Scotland which was flame broiled – something about that charred smoky taste is what makes the burger.  Sitting on a soft toasted bun, there is a layer of tomato and onion relish which mellows everything out and adds a hint of sweetness. Accompanying the burger were some of the most amazing chips (fries) - crispy, fluffy and just the perfect amount of salt all fried up to a beautiful golden colour. 



As you walk in, you're tempted by freshly made bakery items on display. One guest got a scone and noted it was one of the best he's ever eaten.  For dessert, I had a bite of the lemon and ginger cake (£2.95) which was very moist but the frosting a bit sweet for my taste.


Venachar Lochside was a great place - beautiful views, laid back service and delectable food at a reasonable price.  Special thanks to Matthew at Discreet Scotland Tours for introducing me to this wonderful place. 

Overall mark - 9 out of 10


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 ____________________________
Gastro World's Grading System
  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!

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