Posts Tagged ‘Scottish’

La Vita, 161 Queen Street, Glasgow, Scotland, G1 3BJ

My sister and I meet up for lunch every 5-6 weeks. We usually go somewhere mutually inconvenient! Last month wela vita out chose to go to  La Vita, 161 Queen Street, Glasgow, Scotland. This restaurant is situated in central Glasgow, on the corner of George Square, very close to the Queen Street Train Station. As it is on a corner of the street, it has an interesting view to the downstairs dining area. The stairs, however, are rather steep. The tables are also very close together. I would not recommend this restaurant to those who are disabled or with mobility issues. I was also slightly surprised that none of the staff I encountered were Scottish or Italian: for an Italian restaurant in Scotland, I thought that was unusual.

Our table was booked for 1pm. My sister arrived a few minutes early: I was a few minutes late. During this interval the waitress was keen to unite my sister with a complete stranger, who was also waiting for a friend, at pizzaanother table – twice. My sister was incensed by the time I arrived, not with me, but with the unwanted introduction the waitress seemed intent on making for her.

We ordered our meals. We each chose a margarita pizza with a side salad to share. At this time the waitress took it upon herself to berate me for my late arrival. I was bemused but I thought my sister was going to explode. She had, in fact only been waiting about 5 minutes. In any event, it was hardly for the waitress to take this up for her.la vita inside

La Vita has separate menus for food and drinks. There are also chilrdens’ meals available. The menus are varied, but the lunchtime selection for vegetarians is not wide.

Our drinks arrived. They were chilled and nicely served. The pizzas did take a little time to arrive. That is not unusual for freshly prepared food and gave us time to chat. The salad, arrived first. It was quite large and served with a tasty balsamic vinaigrette dressing. It was delicious and complemented the pizza perfectly. The pizzas were also large. The tomato base was tangy and tasty as was the cheese used. Both my sister and I enjoyed our meals very much. It was unfortunate that the service was so intrusive. As a result of that service, I am unlikely to use this restaurant again. If you and your companions arrive at the same time, you may enjoy a meal at La Vita.

Valerie Penny

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Loch Lomond Arms Hotel, Main Road, Luss, Dunbartonshire, G83 8NY, Scotland

My mother came to visit us from Edinburgh, Scotland. She is disabled by mobility issues and cannot get about so well but still enjoys traveling and visiting new places and familiar places she is unable to visit on her own now. After chatting, she mentioned that she liked the village of Luss, so we decided to take our time and go up to the Loch Lomond Arms loch lomondHotel, Main Road, Luss, Dunbartonshire, Scotland. Luss is on the west bank of Loch Lomond. It is a pretty conservation village of Luss is situated almost 10 miles south of Tarbert within the Loch Lomond National Park.

This beautiful Loch Lomond hotel remains true to its tradition as an 18th century village inn but with the comfort and facilities of a modern hotel. The hotel has 14 individually designed bedrooms, a bar and restaurant, as well as a weddings and events suite. The newly refurbished Loch Lomond Arms Hotel has one of the best locations of hotels in the Loch Lomond area in the heart of beautiful, historic Luss.

loch lomond armsThe short walk from the car park and entrance to the hotel is on the level. That made it an easy walk for my mother. Loch Lomond Arms Hotel is owned, and now operated, by Luss Estates, the hotel looks forward to establishing itself as one of the friendliest and most affordable hotels on Loch Lomond.

This hotel has a rich and varied history as a hostelry and hotel, welcoming locals and visitors alike for at least two centuries. Indeed, William Wordsworth and his sister

Dorothy are reputed to have stayed during their tour of Scotland in 1803. Naturally, times have, of course, changed. Today the Loch Lomond Arms Hotel has reopened following a significant £4 million refurbishment which will ensure its position at the heart of the community, situated near the banks of Loch Lomond itself. During the recent refurbishment, the mid twentieth-century extension to the rear of the property and the historic main wing of the building have been upgraded throughout with those 14 stylish and room at loch lomondcomfortable new bedrooms, a new restaurant and bar area, and a smart new reception area.

The staff are friendly and helpful and we had lunch in the traditional village pub and restaurant, offering fine Scottish hospitality and fresh, seasonal food. We sat in the bar as the access was easy for my Mum. It is very

much at the heart of the village, a place where locals can catch up on the day’s news and relax. With its warming log fires, rustic furniture  and traditional décor, the bar restaurant is a welcome haven for travelers stopping off on a long journey or hotel guests enjoying special west coast hospitality. The Loch Lomond Arms Hotel is just 24 miles from Glasgow and easily accessible from all over the central belt of Scotland. It is the ideal place to relax all the way from breakfast through to dinner.

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We had a delicious lunch. Mum and I shared the appetizer of olives and breads. The breads were varied and fresh: delicious. My husband was tempted by the traditional Scottish fish soup, cullin skink. He thoroughly enjoyed it. For our main course we all chose different things. My husband had scampi, my mother chose belly of pork and I chose a vegetarian wellington dish with salad and a side order of hand made fries. The meals were as tasty as they were varied and we were made to feel like welcome guests throughout our visit. We finished the meal with fresh coffee as none of us had any room for pudding. It was a lovely visit and we all plan to go back the Loch Lomond Arms Hotel soon. I highly recommend it.

Valerie Penny

 

Motherland Spice, 16 Bradshaw Street, Saltcoats, Ayrshire, KA21 5HR

Motherland Spice is a family run restaurant started in 2012 near to our village. Since it opened my husband and I have enjoyed several meals because of the wide choice of unique, authentic Indian & Nepalese cuisine. We really enjoy the food. Also, the owner is eager that all his guests enjoy their meals, staff are polite and helpful and there is easy access to the restaurant for those with mobility problems.

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The restaurant is well known for its delicious Indian dishes. It also specializes in South Indian cuisine and produces a combination Scottish/Indian dish the haggis pakora of which my husband is particularly fond. There are also a wide variety of dishes for vegetarians. There are choices of western dishes too, for those who do not really enjoy Indian food.

We have never had a bad meal at Motherland Spice nor a meal that we did not enjoy. However, I have found, on a couple of occasions, that we have been spoiled for choice. This has resulted in us choosing so many side dishes that the final cost of the meal has been more than expected. Of course, this is nobody’s fault but ours! It would not happen if there was less choice. best-family-restaurant

The restaurant offers three types of set meals: Kids Menu, Pre-theatre Meal and Business Lunch. All the set meals have a variety of dishes to choose from and give great value for money. I also like the table buffet service. It runs 7 days a week and offers three main courses with a large choice of side dishes, breads and rice.

My husband and I really enjoy the food at Motherland Spice. The atmosphere is cosy and friendly. I highly recommend it.

Valerie Penny

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The Dunollie Hotel, Broadford, Isle of Skye, Scotland

I had been to the Isle of Skye, Scotland twice. On both occasions the weather had been beautiful. More frequent visitors assured me this was not typical! It recently occurred to me that I had not been to “the misty Isle” since they built the bridge from the mainland to Skye: from Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin. I did not realise the bridge had been completed in 1995! Time flies!
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So it was a delight when my friend, Ann, agreed that the two of us should take a trip to Skye together. We arranged to stay in Broadford at the Dunollie Hotel. Broadford derives its name from Old Norse, meaning the wide bay. In later years, legend has it that Bonnie Prince Charlie gave the recipe for Drambuie to Clan MacKinnon, to thank the clan for helping him escape to France. Flora Macdonald, who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape, is also buried on the Isle of Skye, so there are a lot of stories from that time.
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The hotel is not a particularly beautiful building, however, it is seated between the coast and the foot of Beinn na Caillich leading towards the famous Cuillin Hills. It is an ideal base from which to discover the area and its wildlife. It is also well-placed for exploring the Isle of Skye. Checking in was dealt with quickly and courteously.

All the rooms are en-suite and the hotel was spotlessly clean. The crisp white sheets and fluffy white towels made a really good impression. But it transpired that the hotel had only opened on the Monday before we arrived on the Friday and upon entering them our rooms were very cold. However they had a heater in them and this was very effective. By the time we came back to our rooms after dinner they were lovely and warm. We could feel the hotel opening as our stay progressed.
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Each room has a nice, full hospitality tray of teas and coffees and good quality complimentary toiletries in the en-suite bathroom. The water from the hot taps was, indeed, always hot and there was a bath with a good quality shower above it. The beds were very comfortable and I was very pleased with my room. It was not fancy, but was more than adequate.

As the hotel had not been open long there were not very many staff to look after the guests. However, they were all very hard working and took good care of us pleasantly and with good humour. The bar and lounge areas had no particular style or welcoming atmosphere. However, they do have wifi.

The food was good. Breakfasts are buffet style. At dinner, our first and last courses were served to us but our main course was buffet style. The menu is interesting and varied. Vegetarians are catered for. The food is of excellent quality and there is plenty of it. If you want a drink from the bar with your dinner you have to buy it first and then take it with you to the diningroom. The hotel is not suitable for those who are wheelchair bound as there are stairs to the diningroom and no lift.

I enjoyed my stay at the Dunollie Hotel and would use this comfortable Scottish hotel again.

Valerie Penny