Portavadie Marina Restaurant — Restaurant in Scotland

First there was making a reservation. No tables available after 1830 and before 2000. Fair enough. Except we arrived early to find there were enough tables available and to be fair we were seated early.

Second was the wine. We ordered a bottle of white wine which was not cold when it arrived. I asked for some ice in the wine caddy and later for some water to help the wine chill. A replacement bottle was offered and it was cold. I mention this because the table behind us also sent a warm bottle back. Surely it is not beyond the wit of management to check temperatures and provide cold white wine the first time.

Third the food. We had delicious twice baked soufflés as starters. Hake was the fish of the day which did not appeal. No shellfish in the menu despite having a shellfish supplier proudly named. The veggie gnocchi was advertised as having Mediterranean veg but in fact had spinach. The fish and chips was a mixed bag as the fish was excellent, the chunky chips were good but not generous and the mushy peas were blah. No attempt to offer vinegar or sauces. Had to steal salt from another table.

Tou are looked after by a succession of staff. One took the order, two different people brought out food from the kitchen and someone else cleared plates. But a drinks request to the plate clearer did not arrive.

The view is mostly of the greenery that prevents you from seeing the marina. Ok for us as marina users but they make a big deal of the view in their blurb.

We paid London prices for a mixed experience. Staff tried. All pleasant. The menu also seems limited for a business that serves residents who presumably stay for several days or a week. Nothing much in the way of salads or veg available. In their defence this is a restaurant at the end of a long supply chain. But overpriced for...

The drive down was ‘exciting’, ( weather wise ), and the long single track road has to be experienced !! However, the venue itself is fab, the outdoor heated pool was heavenly, …. all in all the facilities here are top notch. Except ….. it is beginning to show signs of … needing a ‘freshen up’, a quick run round with a detail brush, bits are beginning to look tired in places …. although …. It’s still a fabulous place with ( largely ) nice friendly people, lovely food and wonderful nightlife. If you were thinking about perhaps “going abroad” this year, and thought ‘airport hassle, transport problems, dodgey hotels, and another thing, and another thing, and another ….. ( I’ll stop there ) but you get the picture !!?? Going abroad ( yes you’ll probably get the sun, but it might be tooo hot ) you’ll go through all the previously mentioned hassles, and for what ?? Will you feel relaxed on your return, will you think ‘ooft, that was expensive’, !! Weighing up the pros and cons, it’s sometimes worth just staying put, and having a “staycation” , well here’s the perfect place for all the family !! [ now I’ve just read this back to myself, and I’m beginning to sound like a brochure, so I’m...

My husband and I had lunch at the restaurant today. Unfortunately I didn't google the restaurant beforehand to check their dog policy because most restaurants don't allow dogs and so I never expected to be eating my food surrounded by 6 dogs which weren't there when we arrived. I had to leave because I am very nervous of dogs after being mauled. If only the restaurant had signs to say they allow dogs, I would never have gone in. The food was good but hard to enjoy as more dogs arrived. I think restaurants must think about separate areas for dogs, like smoking, for health reasons, religious reasons and for those like me that are...