The Old Armoury Restaurant
The Old Armoury Restaurant
The Old Armoury Restaurant
Armoury Road
Pitlochry
01796 474281
On the narrow road leading to the famous Pitlochry Dam and salmon ladder at Loch Faskally you will find The Old Armoury Restaurant in a quiet spot which seems many miles away from the town itself.
The building is similar to an old stables block with a small courtyard area out front and large windows which allow diners to look out onto the pleasant surroundings.
Inside the restaurant is just as idyllic with stone walls, large fireplaces and wooden floors throughout.
Although it is quite a big restaurant the arrangement of the tables into separate seating areas gives it quite an intimate atmosphere especially if you visit at night and dine by candlelight.
The a la carte menu offers around ten different dishes from soup of the day to Thai fishcakes set on salad leaves, served with sweet chilli sauce.
There are also exciting combinations like terrine of Scottish cheeses, potato and onion encased in bacon with a chive and basil pesto and Highland haggis wrapped in smoked wild Rannoch venison served with traditional "chappit neeps and tatties" with a whisky and onion gravy.
We decided to go for the New Zealand green lipped mussels with a light topping of cheese, dressed with a light garlic and white wine sauce (�4.95) and smoked salmon served on mixed salad leaves with a sundried tomato and caper dressing (�4.95).
Both dishes were made with delicious and very fresh ingredients combining to give interesting taste combinations and were just right as appetizers for the main course.
The choice of main course is just as challenging as the starters with traditional Scottish dishes like venison, Tay salmon, lamb, beef and pheasant spiced up with interesting accompaniments and sauces.
The Cajun fillet of Tay salmon on a bed of courgette and bok choy with angel hair linguine, accompanied by chilli salsa with a lime and olive butter was very tempting while breast of Highland pheasant stuffed with Scots white pudding, wrapped in prosciutto set on a compote of red cabbage and pinenuts and courgette, surrounded by a rich forest berry jus and saut�ed potatoes sounded just as mouth watering.
However on the night we settled for the medallions of wild Perthshire venison, flame seared and set on a caramelised onion and potato mash, with roasted capsicum, spinach and mushrooms, enhanced with a rowanberry and claret jus (�12.95) and the timbale of wild mushroom risotto, wilted spinach and roast capsicum on an aubergine and sundried tomato rosti, topped with grilled goats cheese, surrounded by a roast garlic and pinenut salsa (�9.95).
We were not disappointed with our choices which were again bursting with flavour, freshness and inventiveness making seemingly simple ingredients a really enjoyable and delicious meal.
For me The Old Armoury has it all, a lovely setting, delicious food, attentive service and a very reasonably priced menu.
The Old Armoury also serves a set lunch and pre-theatre menu costing �11.95 for two courses and �14.95 for three. You can also choose from a light meal selection or just pop in for a sandwich and cake during the afternoon.
- by Lorraine Wakefield