Restaurant of the week
West Highland Hotel, Davies Brae, Mallaig
Location
Just a few minutes’ walk from the railway station and ferry port.
First impressions
First-class. Owners Gavin and Sine Davis undertook an extensive upgrade of the original building, adding a chic dining terrace, which has an expansive wall of glass offering a spectacular panorama of Skye, Rum and Eigg.
Service
Staff were attentive and knowledgeable about seasonal, locally-sourced produce.
Menu
Imaginative and varied with a wonderful seafood offering, such as the cured seafood platter to share (smoked salmon, peppered mackerel, pickled mussels, and soused herring with, garlic mayo and marie rose dips) or the hot seafood platter (steamed mussels, langoustine, haddock goujons, calamari, bisque and garlic bread). Vegetarian options were great, like the heritage tomato and goat’s cheese starter or the herb gnocchi main with wild mushrooms, cauliflower puree and crispy sage.
Taste
Our mains consisted of grilled Mallaig langoustines with garlic butter and dressed salad, along with a portion of salt and pepper calamari accompanied by Asianstyle dipping sauce and dressed leaves. The fresh langoustines were uber-delicious. The calamari was the best we had tasted. For desert we chose a baked yoghurt cranachan with Drambuie, honey, rasps and oats, and a sorbet selection. The Cranachan had just the right amount of crunch, while the sorbet was a zingy culmination to a great dining experience.
Ambience
Cosmopolitan. Diners, like us, appeared to appreciate the relaxed, warm and friendly vibe.
Price
Just over £60 for our fayre which, given its quality and quantity, we considered reasonable.
Toilets
Spotlessly clean.