When I got invited to try the Stair Arms Hotel in Patthead, the one thing I was most excited for was to try the food. I had heard from others that it was delish and I couldn't wait to try it for myself!
I was lucky enough to be able to try both the dinner and breakfast menus... and both had definite highlights for me. The kitchen was due to be renovated just after our arrival so they had some
different dishes available... I just know I will need to head back now that the kitchen is back up and running and try some different dishes!
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They had plenty on the menu, everything from your classic fish and chips, to steak pie, to Mac & Cheese... it was a struggle to make my mind up. Before we started, the owner very kindly gave us some fresh bread with some different dips, one Tomato and Herb and the other a Thai Green Creme Freshe... this one I must say was incredible. This was something everyone got given before they started their meal and it tasted amazing, the bread was still hot!
We then placed our order... let me tell you that was a challenge!
For starter we went for the Cock-a-Leekie soup and the Salmon Pate and oatcakes. Lets start with the soup.... it was a big bowl! I didn't finish it because I didn't want to fill myself up too much, but I was gutted because it tasted really good. It was tasty and didn't need any extra seasoning, which I sometimes find I need to add to some soups. I would absolutely get again, maybe to share!
Stuart ordered the Pate, which he loved. I did give it a go, however it was quite fishy for me and I found it a bit overwhelming, but this is just me and Stuart devoured it. There was plenty of pate for the amount of oatcakes and the salad went really nice with the rest of the dish... a high recommendation for any salmon lovers out there!
Cock-a-leekie Soup |
Salmon Pate with Betroot and Rocket Salad and Oatcakes |
After we let the bread and the starters settle, it was time for out mains. I actually picked the veggie option, which was the Brie and Mushroom Wellington. I was really intrigued by the mix of flavours and let me tell you, it was hands down my favourite dish out them all. The wellington itself oozed brie, which being a huge cheese fan was a big bonus for me, and the veggie gravy tasted really good, much better than I ever could have imagined! We also got some mash with our mains, but I started to struggle so couldn't finish... which made me sad because it all went together so well to create a brilliant veggie main!
Stuart opted for the Chicken Lady Stair, which was chicken with haggis and Drambuie Sauce... another high quality dish with great taste. Their was plenty of sauce and the haggis was falling out the chicken breast there was so much! The sauce complimented the main so well it really was a perfect match and again would definitely be something I would order for myself next time!
Brie and Mushroom Wellington with Rosemary and Redcurrant sauce, Seasonal Veg, and Mash. |
Chicken Lady Stair - Chicken stuffed with haggis served with Drambuie Sauce, Seasonal Veg and Mash |
We has a drink before we had our deserts, the mains were so filling, but I was desperate to try the puddings! Stuart went for a classic bit of Crimbo pudding with Brandy Sauce and I went for Chocolate Torte. I had to try a bit of the Christmas pudding and it tasted really good. It was served warm with the sauce and was the best way to finish our meal. My Chocolate Torte was also really good, super rich and the perfect indulgence to end on, although might be a bit too rich for some people... but being a chocoholic, I was in love, and demolished the whole plateful! It was smooth and the Winter Berry Compote that came with went so well, it was a match made in heaven!
Christmas Pudding |
Chocolate Torte with Winter Berry Compote and Ice Cream |
We were really satisfied with our meal and we were stuffed when we left... all the signs of a good meal! All the staff that seen to us were lovely and the owner spoke to us all about her business, which was really interesting, she was so lovely!
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The next morning after sleeping off our dinner it was time for more food in the form of breakfast!
We got to pick a starter and a main from the menu for our breakfast, we both went for the Porridge to start. I got mines with honey and Stuart got a wee bit of Whisky and honey... why not!? The porridge was pretty standard and tasted really nice... the honey was an sweet added touch that made the difference for me. Again it was a pretty big bowl, so if you are not starving, it might be quite filling to have before another plateful, but for me it was perfect... I was starving!
For mains, we went for toast and egg, mines poached and Stuarts scrambled. The only criticism I had was that our toast and egg got brought out before I had finished my porridge, so she had to take it away when I hadn't finished, which would be something I would maybe be more aware of and work to fix, but the food itself was lovely and filled me up perfectly for journeying home. Scrambled eggs are not a favourite of mines, however Stuart was very complimentary of them, and said they were well seasoned!
After filling myself up with all the food, it was time for me to drive home... normally I would stop for a wee pit stop for some food, but after all the courses we had filled our self up with, that wasn't needed, we were already stuffed!
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I really enjoyed our experience here at the Stair Arms hotel, the hotel was beautiful and well refurbished, the staff were welcoming and friendly, and the food was delicious! We have actually already spoke about returning again in the next few months to try out some more of their dishes now the kitchen refurb has been completed!
Head over to their website at http://www.stairarmshotel.com/ to check out all the latest and have a sneak peak at their menu! I love supporting smaller family run businesses so I can't wait to head back again and stuff myself with even more food!
Massive thank you to the staff at The Stair Arms hotel and for the PR company for organising this stay. I got gifted this stay and meal at no cost to myself but all opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.
Thanks for reading and take care! :)
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