Restaurant-Guide.com
hand picked restaurants

It's not uncommon to see plenty of tourists at La Scarpetta, probably because of its location in Balloch, the gateway to The Highlands, on the banks of Loch Lomond. And it's only natural to see the kitchen, relying on the abundance of Scotland's natural larder, applying focus to Italian regions like Ciociaria, Abruzzese and Campania, endorsing a more Southern style of cooking.

One look at the menu and you're sure to catch the involvement of local ingredients, a made to order warm seafood salad of tiger and king prawns, whitebait and squid, dressed with freshly squeezed lemon on a bed of mixed salad bears testament to that. The signature pollo saltimbocca stuffed with Parma ham and mozzarella, pan-fried in butter and served with Marsala sauce makes an impression, and so does a fillet villa Roma, pan-fried steak with onions, mushroom, cream, whisky, mustard and red wine.

The house wine at La Scarpetta is reasonably priced and available by the small and not-so-small glass and bottle.

Gargunnock Inn is a family run inn with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The interior features exposed brick work, wooden bar tops and a traditional feel with modern touches. The dining room is decorated like a large lounge with soft lighting. The venue has a small beer garden to the rear where you can enjoy a quiet drink after a long day with your loved one. This fun filled place offers a unique dining experience with regular theme evenings and live music.

The menu offers traditional pub food with an à la carte specials board changing weekly, and favourites with a touch of class made from fresh local produce, including game. The country style lounge bar also serves bar meals with weekly changing real ales and a wide selection of wines.

Choose from a range of dishes such as Scottish smoked salmon and prawn platter, breast of duck with blackcurrant sauce and beef steaks.

Lake of Menteith Hotel and Waterfront Restaurant is a unique hotel in a very special location; redeveloped over three years by Ian Fleming, it was relaunched in early 2008. It is decorated in the warm and welcoming style of a classic New England waterfront hotel with muted tones and the extensive use of local timber and stone, perfectly complementing the setting.

The 19th century Lake Hotel stands on the shore of the Lake of Menteith and is an hour's drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh. With wonderful views from the dining room, lunch is a most delightful experience with a combination of skilled Scottish cooking and a delightful view.

The food matches the surroundings and one can expect to find wonderful two and three course meals with seared West Coast scallop with smoked mousseline, artichoke, horseradish and green apple or pan roast breast of Perthshire pigeon on mixed bean cassoulet and smoked pancetta for starters and rump of Dornie Hill lamb on braised cabbage with spring greens and port wine jus or steamed brown trout with beetroot dauphinoise, wild garlic puree and vermouth beurre blanc for mains.

The dessert list comprises of a tempting nougatine parfait with chocolate tart and blood orange marmalade and a selection of British and Continental cheeses served with oatcakes, spicy grape chutney, apple and celery.

Callander in Perthshire is itself an attractive town situated at the confluence of two rivers in an area of outstanding natural beauty known as the Trossachs on the edge of the Scottish Highlands. The scenic surroundings combined with the numbers and variety of lochs and rivers make this a natural playground for visitors from all over the world.

Callander Meadows, a family run establishment situated in Scotland's First National Park reveals itself as a beautiful town house built around 1800, full of charm and character and retaining many features.

The restaurant serves locally sourced seasonal food cooked simply with care and attention and has been awarded an AA Rosette for the consistent high standard food and wine in a welcoming atmosphere.

The dining area is a charming cross between a French Bistro and a Scottish country house. Tartan curtains and a roaring log fire provide the Scottish touch and chalk boards with French quotations and a wall of bottles of wine add the Gallic influence.