Restaurant Reviews
The Scotsman Newspaper - September 2005
"It may have been the Borders air, although it was more likely the incredibly comfortable four-poster, but Isabelle and I were fast asleep within minutes of getting back to our room. We woke up two hours later, just in time to get ready for dinner in the hotel's bright and welcoming dining room. From a varied menu, Isabelle opted for the red snapper terrine to start, while I decided to sample the salmon sushi with caviare on a bed of mixed leaves.
These dishes were preceded by an amuse bouche of asparagus cappuccino, which wasn't quite to my partner's taste - thereby allowing me to slurp hers down as well.
Both starters were delicious and managed to limber up our palates in anticipation of the main event without taking the edge off our appetites. In my case the "main event" was a fillet steak and home-made fries and in Isabelle's, seared duck with stir-fried mange tout and sautéed potatoes. We sampled one another's choices - they were too good not to share - and agreed that they could not be faulted. The lack of table conversation, rare for us, was testament to the quality of the food. We washed it all down with a fine chilled Chardonnay.
Displaying commendable optimism, our helpful waitress left us with the dessert menu, but, appetising though the choice appeared, neither of us could find any room. This was a pity as we had promised ourselves the giant ice-cream sundaes being enjoyed by the couple at the next table. After finishing off our wine, we retired to the adjoining library bar for a nightcap, where some unintentional entertainment was provided by two Australian couples discussing Crocodile Dundee with the Czech barman. From there it was back to our spacious room, where we watched St Elmo's Fire on DVD while sipping Champagne and reclining on the chaise longue."
The full Scotsman review.
Hotel Review Scotland
"The hotel offers lunches in the Library Bar lounge area and you can come in anytime for a coffee.
Dinner, as we enjoyed, is prepared by head chef David Harrison and is served in the main Dining Room. David prefaces his menu with a note: "If you would prefer something that is not on the menu please simply ask and I will do my best to accommodate your wishes". Good stuff.
Having enjoyed a Macallan, to co-ordinate with our bedroom's name of course, and in no way because it's one of the country's finest aperitif whiskies, we sat and enjoyed the log fire-warmed bar lounge - and a bowl of nibbles - as we read over the two-part carte: on one side a dinner menu with 4 choices at each course (£28 for 3 courses and coffee is fine value for fine dining), and on the other side a 'house specialities' list giving further options for starters and mains.
From a wide-ranging choice that included Leek and Potato Soup; or Marinated Atlantic Prawns; or Pan-seared West Coast Scallops; or Terrine of Gressingham Duck, we opted for a generous and interesting Warm Brioche filled with Black Pudding accompanied by Rocket and Piquilla Pepper Salad. Unusual yet most enjoyable, the vibrantly dressed leaves and peppers accompanied perfectly.
Friendly staff kept pace in the busy and elegant candlelit, parquet-floored dining room, with its' intricate ceiling, where couples were enjoying a weekend meal.
Passing up the temptations of Loin of Yellow Fin Tuna; or Char-grilled Fillet of Aberdeen Angus Beef; or Roulade of Louie Chicken; or vegetarian options, we decided upon local Roast Silverside of Border Lamb on Dijon Potato Purée, Char-grilled Vegetables and Lyonnaise Sauce. This came as a deliciously appetising and appealing array of small cuts of lean yet roast-edged tender lamb - which simply melted away: the colourful and tasty vegetables added texture; the whole was a great success. Hardly any room was left for dessert, offered from a separate menu.
Good quality cuisine served with care in a lovely room - and at a fair price - has earned Castle Venlaw our SilverPlate™ dining award.
New food and drink guide Good Food of Scotland has given its' Recommended rating, while the hotel features in Amanda Clark's Best Tastes in Scotland booklet.
Breakfast is served in the same room - we sat facing the magnificent fireplace with its charming rose-red inset seating - and enjoyed a good selection of traditional items, including local produce, and nothing disappointed. And always the fine views and pretty room to look at."
The full Hotel Review Scotland review.
