Lake of Menteith Hotel & Waterfront Restaurant
- Food served: Mon–Sun noon–2.30pm, 6.30–9.30pm
- Bar open: Mon–Thu 10.30am–11pm; Fri/Sat 10.30am–1am; Sun noon–11pm.
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 9
- No. overnight rooms: 16
- Also offers: Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Outdoor tables (smokers welcome)
- Capacity: 50
- Largest group: 50/55
- Open since: 2005
- Average price 2 courses:
£16 (lunch)
£28.50 (evening meal) - House wine: £17 per bottle
This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2009 – in the shops now or buy online.
Feeling like a remote country retreat, the Lake of Menteith Hotel lies less than an hour from the centre of Glasgow and offers its diners not only good food, but one of Central Scotland's more impressive dining-room outlooks. Views through bullrushes across Scotland's only lake through ethereal mists to the mysterious island of Inchmahome give diners a memorable backdrop against which to enjoy the elegant menu. Chef Michael Hobbins' creations are formed from fresh Scottish produce and are perhaps best exemplified by a starter of Ayrshire pork served three ways, including a square of beautifully tender slow cooked belly. Similarly well executed is a main of rack of Dornie hill lamb, sitting on top of a rich, wine-soaked meaty stew that is so flavourful it makes the accompanying mash appear rather dull. A boned and rolled pan-roasted poissin is accompanied by a light lemon and thyme mousse and a piquant wild turnip and pepperberry jus. Standards are kept up with a delicate dessert of feather-light citrus meringue pie served with creamy mascarpone ice-cream. Those feeling flush can splash out on rare whiskies from the hotel's impressive malt vault.
- High point: Wonderful setting
- Low point: Bits of grit in the scallop
Comments
- 1. The Mac's, Tayside – 14 May 2009, 1:16pm
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When deciding on possible venues for our wedding we decided to "check out" the Lake on Menteith Hotel. On Arival we were in awe at the sunset over the loch, the Hotel really is in a beutiful part of the country.
The venue is nice enough, there is is a lovley conservatory where you can dine over looking the loch. The good points end here.
After waiting over 20 minutes for our drinks order to be taken we then overhead a less than helpful manager telling a group of customers that he would not refund them for a poor meal. Obviously everyone has there own standards and this did not put us off.We then ordered, after forty minutes we wee informed that there was a delay in the kitchen and that our starters would be another ten minutes. 20 minutes later we were served with our starters, two bowls of soup and a salad, not quite sure why this took over an hour. The soup was good although the salad looked like it had been taken out of a packet.
Starters gone we looked forward to our main course, this took 55 minutes from the end of our starter and when served was cold and had to be sent back. The fish pie looked like it had been made by a 5 year old and the chicken (when it eventually reappeared) couldn't have been more bland.
We decided to skip desert as we had already been in the place for over three and a half hours and we had our son with us who dispite his burger being cremated, behaved exceptionally well.
The final straw came when we complained that we would recieve a 10% discount off the bill despite the fact that most of two main courses were unedable.
The only saving grace was the young waiter who was very apologetic and was the only member of staff which seemed to care about the customers. Even when they were obviously struggling they were trying to squeeze as many people into the restaurant without telling them there was a problem. In the end all four tables nearby were complaining about the food.
We learned from another customer who overhead an argument in the bar that the Head Chef was on holiday and they couldn't cope. I find it difficult to accept that a place of this expected standard could be so rude.
- 2. Janette Bond, Lake of Menteith Hotel – 23 May 2009, 1:13pm
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The Lake of Menteith hotel is situated in the heart of the Trossachs, on the shores of Scotland's only lake. The surrounding scenery is stunning. The hotel continues this theme through its recently modernised bedrooms and dining areas. All areas in this hotel are spotless.
The staff are all smartly dressed, helpful and friendly. Nothing appears to be any trouble to them; whether you are arriving late or require an early breakfast they will accommodate your requirements.
The food is excellent, as I have sampled on many occassions. Again, the chef will cater for anyone who has special food requirements if alerted when booking.
A stay in the Trossachs would be incomplete without a visit to this award winning, outstanding hotel. - 3. Scott Bathgate, Glasgow City Centre – 27 June 2009, 3:27pmReport
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Love this place so thought adding my own opinion would help those thinking of visiting. I just do not understand pevious negative reviews , but maybe a bad day? We chanced upon it one day while out for a drive.
The food was just what we were looking for, simple and tasty especially the chicken with the black pudding mash it's one to look out for. My wife had the lake of menteith fishcake which I'm not normally a fan of but even i would have it on my next visit. The desserts were just as good i had the chocolate pot and my wife had the summer pudding which was delicious and i therefore ended up stealing most of hers as well.
In my opinion the finishing touch to the lake is the breath taking view which words just cant describe. While we were eating our lunch there were ducks on the lawn, swans out on the lake, people fly fishing just a stone's throw away from us and swallows chirping away. I know this sounds a bit silly but it's something you would expect to see in a David Attenborough documentary.
My wife and i are now regulars even thought it is a bit of a drive for us. We recommend the hotel to any everyone and anyone.
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