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

Published: 19/12/2009

COUNTRY GEM

Glenkindie Arms Hotel, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire:

“It speaks volumes when the lounge of a country pub miles from nowhere is filled with diners on a Tuesday evening. The quaint, but compact, 400-year-old Glenkindie Arms Hotel is run by chef Ian Simpson and partner Aneta Olechnu who have created something of an impression in the culinary world, having already won an AA rosette.

The welcome I received was warm, my steak was wonderful, and the wine list provided excellent value. An excellent evening and wonderful food. I’ll be back.”

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Toravaig House Hotel, Sleat, Skye:

“The candlelit dining-room with its high-backed modern leather chairs, sparkling white linen, gilt-framed mirrors and plum coloured curtains had a wonderful, intimate atmosphere. I had the soup, which was a real winter warmer, fantastically creamy but with a fiery kick; and my lamb tasted like the lamb of my youth with a full-on flavour from a beast you knew had spent many a happy hour in lush green pastures. The bill for our veritable feast was quite amazing – four courses for £42.50 each. No wonder people rave about it.”

Toravaig House Hotel was crowned the Press and Journal Taste of Highlands and Islands Restaurant of the Year 2009.

FOODIE DELIGHT

Gadie’s Restaurant, Touched by Scotland, Ryehill, Oyne, near Insch:

“It was my first time at the restaurant which sits below Aberdeenshire’s most famous landmark – the Mither Tap. I was impressed. The decor was clean and crisp. I had four scallops that were cooked perfectly, but the star in this particular dish was the cauliflower puree – oh so tasty.

Gadie’s prides itself on using local ingredients; I had a selection of ice cream from The Cabin, Buckie – perfect on one of the hottest evenings of the year so far. The meal was wonderful. The service, too, was excellent. All in all, a great experience.”

GIVE JURYS A TRIAL

Jurys Inn, Union Square, Guild Street, Aberdeen:

“The Jurys Inn group splashed out £17.5million on making a statement of intent in the oil capital. They certainly have the perfect stage with this bold and striking building. The dining room had a cavernous, cathedral-like feel to it, but very sharp and modern, with subdued lighting and a striking floor-to-ceiling, coloured glass window which covered one side.

We enjoyed a very warm welcome, and menus in hand, we were spoiled for choice. I could not fault my fish, with the salsa contrast working well and the comforting mashed potato making it a satisfying choice. Some people might reserve judgment on a new place like this by saying the jury’s out, but my verdict is, the Jurys Inn – so give it a trial.”

BUZZ ABOUT THE KITCHEN

The Kitchen Restaurant, 15 Huntly Street, Inverness:

“It is not advisable to book a table at The Kitchen if your intentions are to only gaze into the eyes of your loved one. It’s nigh on impossible to visit the three-storey, contemporary, glass-fronted building sitting adjacent to the banks of the River Ness without wanting to admire the outside views. There’s a buzz about the place, and a sense of wanting to get it right, too. It offers an impressive range of frequently-changing menus featuring local and seasonal dishes.

With two glasses of white and two of red wine, our bill came to £65.60. My eldest clearly thought it good value as he immediately booked a special dinner for himself and his wife – praise indeed.”

Don’t miss Your Life next Saturday for the second part of our review of the top-scoring restaurants of 2009. Merry Christmas to all our readers.