Food&Drink
Scone Spy, restaurants and wine guide
Location
On the main road through the Isle of Uist in the far north-west of Scotland. The inn is close to the community of Lochmaddy and Balivanich Airport.
First Impressions
The inn sits back from the road in a building that could pass for a manse. We arrived unannounced on a Friday blustery, ink-black night. We stepped into an oasis of light and laughter. With the restaurant full to overflowing.
Service
Highly accommodating. A smiling waitress led us to our table and took our order. We had to wait a while for it to arrive – the place was packed and meals are cooked from scratch – but it was worth the wait.
Menu
We were tempted by the Crofters Board – a selection of meat, local smoked fish, cheeses, bread, salad and red onion marmalade – and were also lured by the seared scallops and smoked cod cheeks but decided to save ourselves for the amply portioned mains.
Taste
Off-the-scale delicious. My guest went for the monkfish scampi with panko breadcrumbs and chips. It came with homemade tartare sauce and crushed peas while I chose a pan-fried haddock on a mushroom risotto, with butter sauce. The scampi was huge and succulent and the haddock bursting with flavour. They were among the best fish dishes we have savoured. Our deserts – pancake stack with syrup and ice cream and a warm whisky and marmalade bread and butter pudding – were lip-smacking good.
Ambience
The bar area is earthy and rustic with a natural stone feature wall, a roaring log burner, roughly hewn wooden benches, and a long, welcoming bar. The restaurant, though more formal, is a cosy affair.
Price
Given the quality and the location, we thought the prices were fair. Our mains were £16.50 and £18.95 respectively, while deserts range from £4.50 to £7.50.
Toilets
Spotlessly clean.