The perfect destination for fine dining or casual eating with ambience

CUANRA Restaurant at Best Western The Queen’s Hotel on the Esplanade welcomes head chef Stuart Wood back to Oban. Stuart takes the helm at this destination restaurant, having worked at restaurants and luxury hotels around the world, from the five star Queen’s Hotel in Cheltenham to eateries in France and Spain, to the Waterfront Fishhouse in Oban.

Stuart, an Edinburgh native, combines knowledge and experience with a passion for local ingredients to create outstanding seasonal food. His ethos is an emphasis on fresh, local products, but with a twist. ‘I’m using Scottish ingredients to make dishes with diverse flavours influenced from my experiences working across Europe,’ Stuart said. ‘It’s something that’s a bit different. All of our food is made freshly in house. We make all of our breads and desserts, including ice- cream.’

The menu changes seasonally to showcase the best of the west’s bounty, such as Isle of Mull hand- dived scallops with tomato salsa, olive tapenade and basil, or Oban-landed langoustines with garlic butter – prepared simply to let the natural luscious flavour shine.

‘The scallops and langoustines come right off the boats, and they’re brilliant, some of the best I’ve ever seen,’ shared Stuart. ‘Our Isle of Gigha halibut dish is really popular, prepared with sautéed new potatoes, broad beans, wild fennel and mint.’ Highland venisongets special treatment – carpaccio-style with house-made watermelon sorbet.

Vegetarian dishes are always on offer, such as barley risotto with roast butternut squash and red-pepper salsa. Desserts feature seasonal ingredients and house-made special touches, such as rhubarb frangipane tart with brown bread ice- cream, and lemon meringue cheesecake with stem ginger sorbet.

The Queen’s Bar menu offers a more casual menu from 5.30pm to 9.30pm, with traditional dishes such as fish and chips, burgers, steaks and seafood, along with a fine dessert selection, such as sticky toffee pudding or chocolate and Oban malt mousse.

The ambience at Cuanra is elegant, yet casual, the perfect spot for a romantic dinner or special family occasion. Diners enjoy quiet tables overlooking the bay – and the sunsets over Oban bay make for a incredible setting in which to enjoy a relaxing dining experience. Dinner is served from 6pm-9pm. Booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. Ring 01631-562505 or visit www. thequeenshotel- oban.co.uk.