Food in Scotland
Birkhill Inn
124 Coupar Angus Road
Birkhill, by Dundee
01382 581297
Homely fare and warm hospitality have long made the Birkhill Inn, to the north of Dundee, a popular venue for diners of all ages. But viewed through the grey gloom of a January rainstorm, it stands as a particularly welcome haven from the winter blues.
Everything about this place spells comfort - from the cosy interiors to the lunch menus packed full of family favourites like steak pie, chicken curry, scampi and fish and chips. There are other options including lamb, steaks, and quite a good range of veggie dishes. It may not be haute cuisine but it certainly is ideal comfort food to fend off the season’s chills.
The main courses are big enough to make you question the wisdom of starters and sweets, but after weeks of festive over-indulgence temptation can get to be quite a habit. The Monterey melters, with chunky cranberry relish, proved far too appealing for me to ignore. I did, however, have to call it a day and admit defeat after polishing off an individually cooked dish of lasagne complete with deliciously fat and crunchy chips. I just had to resign myself to gazing wistfully at the outrageously large puddings on their way to other tables and make a promise to try one next time. Jam roly poly, ice cream sundaes, toffee puddings…the very stuff of broken New Year’s resolutions!
It is easy to see why this place has felt the need to extend its dining areas over the years. It offers good quality food at reasonable prices (most main courses cost around �5 with starters starting at less than �2). Staff are friendly and attentive, children are well catered for with their own special menus and the atmosphere is informal and relaxed. And it’s a great place from which to sit and watch the freezing January rains outside.
- Hilary McNally