The Croft & Creel — Restaurant in Scotland

What a fantastic find! My son and I were passing through Falkirk and needed dinner, not only did we call and reserve a table an hour before the restaurant was due to close, but then we arrived with 15 minutes of calling, thinking we would only be able to grab a quick main course before it closed.

At first we couldn't see the restaurant, as we were expecting a frontage, like its neighbours. Instead, there is a doorway between a burger joint and a barbers. We went upstairs and it felt like we were having dinner at someone's apartment.

We were made to feel as welcome as a regular guest, and at no point did we feel like we needed to hurry up. Instead the owner came and chatted to us about our trip, and the sort of classic car we had parked outside.

The food! Oh my, this really was a treat. It is just a shame that this place is around 450 miles from where I live, otherwise I would...

So desperate for this place to be nice. But fell short unfortunately. Service - impeccable. Friendly and attentive. Food, I'm afraid was sub par at best. Starters. Mussels were good but the sauce had zero flavour. Scallops were small, but cooked. Black pudding large and dry. No liquid to get them down. My partner ordered the sea bass for main. White dry fish with (yet soggy skin?)on white mash and chowder. No other colour? Smoked chowder overpowered any flavour anything else might have. I had the steak which was good to be fair but the rest was just.... ok. Two starters and mains, two drinks, and coffee £100. Just not worth the money I'm afraid. Was so hoping this place would be our surf n turf mecca. Our haven from the...

Went for their (monthly?) 5 course tasting menu, left thinking 'is that it and why did i expect more of somewhere in Falkirk?!' But I really don't want to let that be the branchmark for Falkirk. Most people that are from here think you have to go to Edinburgh and Glasgow for a nice meal, that shouldn't be the case. The menu didn't flow, it wasn't presented with any knowledge or passion, it didn't flow and link together and the staff didn't 'sell' or buy into it. There was a description with the wine pairing but literally nothing with the food that was presented. I don't know if it is a food or service quality issue but certainly we werent made to feel really welcome and the food was fine, but...