WATERSIDE HOTEL, INVERNESS

LOCATION

Smack bang on the banks of the River Ness the views from the restaurant window are enchanting – and it’s only a few minutes’ walk from the buzzing city centre.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The restaurant’s bar and lounge area has a very smart but comfortable interior – there are even bean bags for those who want to relax over afterdinner drinks.

SERVICE

First-class. The waitress was fast, efficient and friendly. Children are made welcome and the staff had oodles of patience for our little one.

MENU

Varied and interesting without being overly complex. There was a super selection on offer – including great vegetarian dishes from the Signature selection and a tempting range of dishes from the Classics and Chargrill sections.

TASTE

Extremely good. Our delicious seafood starters consisted of kiln roasted salmon with asparagus and quails eggs (£7.95), Shetland mussels in white wine and cream (£6.95) and king scallops (£9.95). For the main course we chose Cockburns haggis (£12.95), a 28-day aged T-bone steak with chunky chips, roast garlic and Portobello mushroom (£29.95) and Panko crumbed monktail medalions (£17.95). The haggis was a winner, the huge steak was tender and succulent and my fish was tip-top on taste.

PRICE

A la carte can prove expensive but this menu’s pricing was fair, given its quality. Our party of three paid £85.70. But the restaurant has a range of dishes to suit most tastes and pockets.

AMBIENCE

Busy but relaxed and comfortable.

SOMETHING SPECIAL

Try the daily local sea food specials and the cheese selection sourced from Scottish diaries.

TOILETS

Comfortable, spotlessly clean and queue-less!

VERDICT

A hugely enjoyable experience, with good food, great staff and lovely views. 18/20