Festive woes forgiven after flavour-filled Forgan’s feast

Ihave to be honest and admit my previous visit to Forgan’s, Broughty Ferry, last Christmas left me slightly disappointed. The vegetarian main course on the festive menu I’d been looking forward to for weeks was unavailable on the night. Perhaps a local vegetarian convention had descended on the popular Broughty Ferry spot, leading to the shortage? I don’t know, but I was miffed! Not one to hold a grudge, however, I decided to get over my festive woes and head to Forgan’s with my husband for a midweek child-free meal.

FORGAN’S BROUGHTY FERRY

It might have been a Thursday evening, but there was a pleasant buzz of chatter, with a good few tables occupied.

We were greeted by a friendly member of staff behind the bar, and then introduced to our server for the evening.

Our table was in the main restaurant, rather than the bar area, where I’d eaten before. We both loved the rustic ambience of the wooden-framed bothies that lined both walls.

These can be hired out and would make for a memorable occasion such as a birthday dinner or wedding.

There were lots of quirky details in the decor, such as the clock from Robertsons

Butchers – the previous occupant of the Forgan’s building – as well as candles flickering up the back wall, framing the unusual water fountain feature.

Our server brought over a cool bottle of water and poured us each a glass before taking our drinks order. This was a Pepsi Max (£3.25) and a small glass of pinot grigio (£7).

He also poured the soft drink into my husband’s glass and topped it up during the meal, removing the empty bottle to keep our table clear. We thought this was a lovely touch.

THE FOOD

Both feeling pretty hungry, we opted for starters. I am not usually a starter person but the basil hummus (£7) intrigued me.

The plate was prettily presented with toasted rye bread balanced against a neat circle of hummus topped with sun-dried tomato tapenade.

The salty, rich tapenade combined well with the creamy hummus, with spicy microgreens and a sweet balsamic drizzle adding extra flavour.

I loved the whole chickpeas in the hummus and the dish was tasty and very moreish – a perfect starter!

My husband did ponder ordering the game terrine (£11) but the haggis bonbons (£7) won. He said they were crunchy and crisp with an earthy, spicy haggis inside.

Microgreens and a whisky aioli accompanied the delicious dish – and there was nothing left on either of our plates.

Our starters cleared, we didn’t have long to wait for our mains.

As a vegetarian who’s not keen on pasta, I wasn’t sad to see that standard veggie staple of macaroni cheese missing from the menu. There was much more imagination afoot here.

The chargrilled celeriac steak (£15) was something a little different. But I was in need of a hearty meal and opted for veggie shepherd’s pie (£16).

A tasty mix of puy lentils, veggie haggis and roasted carrot were bound together with a satisfying red wine gravy, and topped with fluffy mashed potato.

It was cosy comfort food heaven and I prefer to see this sort of veggie dish based on nourishing pulses rather than soya “meat”.

WARMING: The coffee and date sticky toffee pudding was a sweet treat at Forgan’s, left. Pictures by Kim Cessford.