Another Eating Out Review

I promised a review on another local restaurant which we haven't yet visited.  Unfortunately I don't think Dalmore House has its own website, which I find strange, but you can Google it easily.

Many of my guests have been visiting for years and have become good friends.  This year our four golfing friends decided to come earlier than usual because of the super weather and we always have a meal together the night before they depart.

This year it was the Dalmore House and I booked it for the six of us the other week.  Maybe I should have just given my name instead of saying Heathpark Lodge because I think they fell over themselves to impress. (We hadn't eaten there before and had received mixed reports from other guests).

All credit to the staff the service was excellent, but I did cringe when the waitress continued to call all of us 'dear'. The steak supper was excellent value for money but do note that the steak is rib-eye and that requires far more cooking than the more expensive cuts.  I ordered mine rare and it was impossible to eat but they kindly cooked it to medium.  I was impressed that they'd put my meal on a clean plate when they returned it cooked medium.

The environment wasn't relaxing for me.  It's a big room with little atmosphere.

But draft beer is available and the wine list wasn't bad.

Opinion:  I wouldn't rush back.  My steak supper was large but the only vegetable was a tomato.  The deep fried onion rings were out of a freezer bag and that disappointed.  Lovely chips accompanied it but there was no choice of a baked potato.

Seasonal Produce - Asparagus

It doesn't last long the season of asparagus, but my guests have been delighted to be offered it for breakfast for the past couple of weeks.  Sorry I forgot to take a photograph but the above would serve two.

Grilled on the Foreman grill and then, if desired, pouring melted butter over them has had me desperately controlling my tastebuds when cooking breakfast.

I've bought other asparagus the past couple of weeks but the local Eassie asparagus has by far the best flavour.  Mr S disagrees as he thinks I'm biased.  Mind you, after a day on the golf course he's ready to eat most of what I cook!

Did I tell you Blairgowrie is a haven for golfers of all abilities?  It certainly is and I'm thankful, at times, when Mr S is out driving as best as he can.  It's not going too well this year as his putting is letting him down.  I offer a comforting shoulder and say it'll improve.  No, I'm not being facetious and he's comforted by a plate of Eassie asparagus.  When the season ends shortly I've no idea what to produce as he doesn't like strawberries.  Who doesn't like strawberries other than those unfortunately folk who have allergies?

Eating Out in Blairgowrie

It was our anniversary the other day so we decided to go to Cargills Bistro. What a delightful evening.

I managed two courses and Mr S decided he was too replete to fit in a pudding. He's done nothing but speak about the sauce which accompanied his mussels and I'm sure he'll try to recreate it - but with little success.

My meal was perfect and the service was second to none. It's a while since Mr S has visited Cargills, mainly because he favours Balathie House, which I admit is lovely but dinner is overpriced I think.

What I would suggest is that you book for Cargills because it has become the most popular restaurant in town for good fresh food.

Believe it or not the ex-owner of Cargills has returned to the town and opened a restaurant in the Wellmeadow called 'Littles'. Four guests have been and say the meal was "memorable". I'm saving up my visit for my birthday at the end of May and I'll let you know my thoughts. Willie (the owner) has a love of fish and when he owned Cargills he never disappointed.

Littles in more expensive than Cargills but it's a restaurant and not a Bistro. For price and fresh food I doubt if Cargills could be beaten. Last year hundreds of my guests ate there and everyone said the quality was above average and the price "far too cheap".

I'm going next month to another restaurant I've yet to visit just out of town. Will let you know what I thought.

Mild March

It's been a wonderful March with the daffodils looking splendid with their proud heads sticking through many of the front border shrubs. I'm loathe to move them to other spots and rather like the untidy look they give to the formality of the plant bed.

I scarified the lawns this week and decided a photograph would make anyone think there was little care given to the garden but I'll post one perhaps at the end of May and then I'll see if the new scarifier has lived up to it's reputation. Since I purchased it a few weeks ago I now have a list of friends wishing to borrow it so it must be good!

Guests are astonished how mild the weather is and long may it continue. I, for one, could certainly cope with these mild days for quite some time.