A Fyne place for a relaxing lunch date

I’ve never been a big sea food lover, so it’s hardly surprising I have managed to dodge dining at Loch Fyne, despite its excellent reputation, for the last decade or so. Donna, on the other hand , absolutely loves it. So, bearing in mind she also worked there in her gap year, there was a growing inevitability that our paths would cross.

Ironically, a gas problem in the kitchen at the Queen’s Head, Nassington (we will be back), saw us diverted a few miles down a winding country road to Elton and the rather delightful old dairy buildings just off the A605.

It’s an attractive setting, particularly with the sun shining as it was, the building boasting a rustic but classy feel in a tranquil part of the countryside.

The menu, as you might expect, is jam packed with seafood delights from whole lobsters to mussels on the rope, and dishes containing everything inbetween.

There is, it has to be said, an equally appetising selection of steaks, burgers and the like.

There’s no draught beer, so a nicely chilled Sol in hand I gave the menus (a la carte and set) the once or twice over.

The set menu (outlined on the right) more than satisfied me. It was lunch after all and keenly priced.

First up was smoked haddock chowder, or cullen skink, as it appeared on the menu. It tasted much, much better than the name suggests!

The chowder was warm, creamy and flavoursome; the haddock still chunky and delivering that wonderful smokey taste. A great start.

Donna went for the crab cakes with coriander and spring onion and a sweet chilli marmalade. Nice and crabby too, no “padding”, just meat - and the marmalade made a surprisingly pleasant contribution.

Next up for her from the a-la carte menu was the wild hake (£15.45). A nice, succulent piece of melt-in-the mouth fish, a delicate flavour enhanced by a lively tomato salsa, and complimented by tenderstem broccoli and green beans in garlic butter.

For me something a little more straightforward: king prawn tagliatelle provencale with squid, fresh coriander and parsley.

The pasta was nicely cooked, the sauce packed with flavour and a nice sized helping of king prawns. I even enjoyed the light leafy salad on a side plate with plenty of rocket and a tasty nutty dressing.

The rhubarb and custard cheesecake, with a ball of white chocolate ice cream, was as yummy as it was oddsounding. The soft, sweet custard top combined beautifully with the tangy fruit and the soft, crumbly, biscuity bottom.

All in all a relaxing lunch - it