The
Press and Post - Issue no. 23
Continental
City Chic
Lets
be honest, from the outside Callander Meadows is not the most
inviting looking restaurant I have ever seen. I suppose that's
because it's quite difficult at first glance to tell what
sort of establishment it actually is. Well it is definitely
worth suspending any misgivings and heading across the threshold
for a meal.
What
met me when I ventured forth, was a sup rising, but for me
pleasingly continental atmosphere. The restaurant is a lovely
cross between a French bistro and a Scottish country house.
Tartan curtains and a roaring log fire provide the Scottish
part and chalk boards with French quotations and a wall of
bottles of wine add the Gallic influence. The international
flavour is enhanced by the jazz and the knowledgeable, charming
American waiter, Marc.
The
food continues the Auld Alliance, with the best of Scottish
produce being used to create dishes with a typically French,
but modern, feel.
To start I had Prosciutto with Celeriac and Pear Salad and
my husband had Ham and Pork Rillettes with Mixed Pickles and
Chutney. My Prosciutto was delicious. The Celeriac and Pear
salad was a bit like a coleslaw, as it was served in mayonnaise,
and worked really well with the cold meat.My husbands starter,
although enjoyable, wasn't quite such a success.We visit France
often and both adore rillettes. This rillette was not what
we were expecting, which is not to say it wasn't good, and
the chutney was delicious. For the uninitiated rillettes is
a cross between a potted meat and a course pate. The one at
the Meadows is cooked with white wine and chicken stock to
give added flavour, but it changes the texture, which is perhaps
what suprised us.
For
main courses we had Paupiettes of Sole with Braised Fennel
and Veronique Sauce and pan fried Fillet Steak with Horseradish
Mash, Red Onion Marmalade, and Red Wine Sauce.
Talk
about melt in the mouth! The steak was just fab - and when
my hubbie ordered a blue steak (very rare) he actually got
one! The combination of the heat from the mash, the sweetness
of the marmalade and the crunchiness of the straw potatoes
made for a gorgeous mix of tastes and textures. But despite
the richness of the dish it had a surprisingly light touch.
My
sole was also lovely. Ever thought of having grapes with fish?
Perhaps not but that is what you get with a Veronique sauce
and the touch of sweetness is a very nice addition to the
fish.
Our
meals were served with Gratin Dauphinoise (a potato, cream,
garlic and cheese dish) and a selection of fresh veg. Again
Gratin Dauphinoise is one of our favourites, but it is rare
to find it done properly. The Gratin Dauphinoise is the best
one I've had - apart from my mum's!
Next
dessert. What can I say about the desserts at the Meadows?
The choice on the menu consisited of Steamed Cranberry and
Date Sponge with Mulled Red Wine Sauce, Spiced Apple Pie with
Custard, Frozen Dark Chocolate Mousse, with Baileys Cream
Quenelles, Warm Rice Pudding with Plum Compote and Baked Hazelnut
and Vanilla Cheesecake with Orange Syrup. Sound fantastic?
Well it was and the best bit of all is that they have a dessert
called the Wave - which is a plate with a portion of each
dessert on it! Hedonism on a plate was my hubbies description.
You
may be wondering what the cost of this feast was? Around £20
per head is the answer. Add in wine, which is available from
around £10 per bottle and you could have a very good
meal for two for £50. Bargain! I'll definitely be back
and I would recommend you to give it a go. Christmas Eve could
be the ideal opportunity to treat a loved one with the Meadows
putting on a six course gala dinner for £32.50
If
you want to try the culinary delights at the Meadows for yourself,
then between Dec 10 and Jan 10 the restaurant will be open
every night from 6.30 - 9.30 PM ( apart from Christmas day
and Boxing day)
Lunches are good value too with a two course meal costing
just £6.95. Lunch is served from 12.30 - 2.30 PM daily.
Nick
and Sussanah Parkes, who own the Meadows are Gleneagles trained,
and it shows. The nice thing is that at Callander Meadows
you can get Gleneagles type food without paying Gleneagles
type prices! Give it a go.
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