The Courtyard Brasserie & Bar — Restaurant in Scotland

We booked for a special occasion and had a party of 20. Because of this they had our food pre ordered several months ago in advance yet nothing was ready. Pate with chutney was just cheap Brussels pate with branston pickle. Had to wait for ages for main food and some had to be sent back as fish batters were so burnt they couldn’t cut through it. One person had to send their steak back because it was all gristle and didn’t get it replaced until well after we had all finished. Lemon chicken pasta had no lemon and no flavour. They told us (because we had been there so long and they were struggling for tables) that they would be fine if we just decided to leave the desserts. Obviously kids wanted theirs and so did some adults so we waited, and waited until after about 30 minutes or more someone went and asked them where the desserts were . Two of us asked to get ours boxed to take away but they had said they would box it after the others had finished when we were leaving. After a while I wasn’t willing to take the chance that we might have to wait even longer after the had left so I said just to bring it with the rest. The box had ice cream in it (along with sticky toffee pudding that had changed into treacle pudding). When the person who booked it complained to the manager they were told the delay was because of the boxed desserts! I had to tell them that was a blatant lie as we were originally not meant to get our boxed desserts until after they had finished. We were in there for well over two hours yet not one person came to ask if we would like more drinks. They were so busy it would have been pointless trying to ask. The manager also had a discussion with another member of staff about having to move tables around to get more people in then, in front of us, said “When this lot leave…” obviously realising we could hear they lowered their voices. It was just after that that they said if we wanted to miss desserts it would be fine by them! First time I’ve been here and would go back to the accommodation no problem but would never dream of setting foot in this...

Food was cold and greasy. The veg that came with the steak pie was stone cold and tasted like it had been lying there for hours. Food seems like its hot held rather than made fresh as it came out 4 minutes after we ordered it. The oil in the fryers clearly needed cleaned by the smell coming from it. The haggis bon bon were so well done that it was almost impossible to cut into them. Felt sick after the first bite due to the amount of grease coming out of them.No one done a table check to ask how the food was even though 2 staff members clearly noticed the food wasn't being eaten. The kitchen staff had long hair that was swaying all over the place and no hair net in sight. She kept touching her hair then the food. Not hygienic in any way. Couldnt finish any of the food. Our empty glasses were removed by a server so quickly as they walked by, that as we asked for another drink she was gone. Waited for 15 mins to try get the attention of someone to order another drink but eventually gave up and left. It wasn't even very busy and there was plenty of staff about just none interested in completing...

We visited twice during our week long holiday stay in Kenmore and preferred it to our more local bar which was about 50 paces away from our lodge. The first time was after a wet and windy walk up Drummond hill where we relished the log fire, some beer and food (haggis bon bons and Nacho's were excellent). The second was another wet walk, although this was from our lodge a mile away and was for drinks. We liked the relaxed atmosphere and fall asleep settees. Although both occasions were in the bar we would have loved to come for a meal, however never got the chance during a busy week...... Maybe next time.

Edit 31/10/23 We are now on holiday 5 minutes walk away and went for dinner, loads of people dressed for Halloween. Glad we went early as most of the tables were booked, however we managed to get one and enjoyed some beer and steak pie which was really good (as other reviews also mentioned) The place was pretty packed with people (I think being Halloween) from around 5:30pm and tailed off to just a few left at 8:00pm as meals...