Old Armoury Restaurant, The

A wonderful watering hole in a delightful town, The Old Armoury is many people's idea of what a restaurant and tea garden should be like. Said to have been used formerly by the Black Watch Regiment this now-cosy spot has enormous appeal. When the weather is right the gardens come into their own, on lesser days and in the evenings the candlelit interior combines with open log fires to gladden the heart.

The menu is essentially Scottish with plenty of evidence of the surrounding countryside on your plate. Watch out for tian of fresh Isle of Skye crab with an avocado salsa, endive salad and a crab dressing, or sauté supreme of Perthshire pigeon on Stornoway black pudding and crispy back Colcannon with a port reduction. Main courses could feature seared saddle of Perthshire venison with braised red cabbage, apple and raisins, creamed celeriac, rosti potato and a light port and juniper sauce, followed by a pudding of spiced fruit brown bread pudding with vanilla Anglaise and homemade marmalade ice cream, or a fig and brioche confection.

The cheeses are name to conjour with too - mature Mull cheddar, Howgate brie, smoked Arran, and then some. For maximum appreciation go in the evening, perhaps for a pre-theatre supper.