Room with a View

As luck would have it, one of my favourite restaurants posted on social media they had a few cancellations for this evenings dinner. So, we did. And, whilst this was the second visit here, it was as truly enthralling and fabulous as our first. I'll let the photos do the talking. An utterly sumptuous meal, beautifully executed and presented with flair. Fabulous evening.

A medley of seafood, wrapped in sushi nori with a chilli and oil drizzle. 

A wee Amuse-bouche joined the warm home made bread plate. Oh my.

Seared scallops, smoked Rannock duck breast and a beetroot and balsalto puree.

Starters didn't disappoint. I struggle to see past a pan seared scallop from round these parts. Combine it with duck and beetroot too. Wholly, utterly amazing.

Seared scallops, smoked Rannock duck breast and a beetroot & balsalto puree and micro greens

A cheeky wee palate cleanser arrived, too quickly scoffed to get the full picture, but you get the idea. It was very delicious.

Orange and Prosecco Jelly - Palate cleanser

So one of us went for the seared Tuna, one went for the Monkfish. The hardest decisions in this seafood restaurant, is choosing which fish to go for, they're all utterly amazing.

Seared Tuna steak, with Puddledub Aberdeen Angus mini fillet steak. With a rich tomato and garlic sauce. Wedges, mash, baby carrots and broccoli.

In fact so difficult was it, we agreed to share plates half way through. Which wasn't a bad plan either. Although I can confess to eating the mash potato from both plates. Whilst a fish lover, I struggle to see past good vegetables, and these were amazing.

Monkfish tail, with a garlic prawn stuffing, on a red Thai curry sauce.

Sushi nori kept the fish beautifully moist, I'll certainly try this one at home!

Monkfish tail, with a garlic prawn stuffing, on a red Thai curry sauce. Wedges, mash, baby carrots and broccoli.

And whilst we are not 'pudding people' we have had a pudding sharing plate here before and were blown away by their famous baked chocolate torte. A rich combination of aubergine, honey and almonds makes for a tormentingly moist extravaganza. So we had one each.

Rich baked chocolate torte, Chantilly cream, beetroot & chocolate coulis, chocolate swirly stick.

Room with a View famous gluten free baked chocolate torte. Made with honey, aubergine and almonds. Truly amazing.

Whilst boasting an ample wine list. This place also boasts a good selection of alcohol free wines and beers. Given its location, that's really fabulous thinking.

Our second visit to Room With A View, you can visit their website here.   Our second trip was every bit as magical as the first. It's a truly hidden gem, in a stunning location with views across to Edinburgh over the Firth of Forth. Some great views from their own gallery here.

Our dinner was under £90, with two drinks each, all three chosen courses and chef's extra wee fancies too. So its great value too.

For quality, and sheer fabulousness I'd say its up there with any Michelin starred restaurant in the area. We've done 3 out of the 4 on our doorstep, all utterly amazing, but so is this, and very good value. I'd say its holds it head up proudly with them all and, as it looks over the Forth to the The Kitchin  too, its a real contender.

You can see a sample menu here. And, if like us you spotted a last minute cancellation on facebook you can follow them here.

The Captains Galley - Scrabster, Thurso

So whilst we currently live in Orkney surrounded with great grub and fantastic seafood, we've often sat at the ferry terminal looking longingly at the sign by the terminal which shouts 'fresh seafood', 'The Captain's Galley', which opens for dinner just shortly after we normally set sail home to Orkney. A seafood restaurant set in a restored ice house, with a fantastic reputation, we've long wanted to go. So as this winters wee 'break' we decided to pop over for an evening, to sample their fabulous menu and it did not disappoint.

A warm and friendly welcome greeted us as we were shown to a comfy cosy room with squashy sofa's and plenty of ambient music. Drinks and nibbles provided swiftly and a warm friendly smile with the menus. 'Take your time, there's no rush' we were told and indeed there wasn't. What a perfect way to wind down on a Friday night but take in the ambience of a bonnie wee restaurant on the edge of a cheerful busy port. These guys have a reputation for being warm and friendly and they certainly were, we even managed to get a bit of chat about the garden, which as all of you know, is my other great passion. Mary and her staff are attentive, whilst giving you peace to enjoy your evening, that's a real skill, hats off to you all, it was the perfect balance.

And so to the grub, the menus (on a Friday night there are two, the full menu or a 'fish and chip' menu') - both looked stunning but opting for the full menu didn't disappoint. Have a peek at the sample menu here always full of incredibly fresh local produce.

To start, I chose the Langoustine bisque with a skewered prawn kimchi, himself Oysters cooked with pork belly and seaweed. For mains, I devoured pan seared Hake with mussels in vermouth, himself, blackened Saithe with corn succotash, colcannan and guacamole.

I do love it when you see fish you've never tried, like Saithe, or fish you love like Hake on a menu, its always good to try something new in a place where you know it will be cooked to perfection. And perfect it all was, which given my own pickiness when it comes to eating out, was never in doubt - but when you try a new place you certainly want it to live up to is reputation, and they certainly did!

A wee 'Amuse bouche' of Jerusalem artichoke soup sprinkled with artichoke wafer thin crisps, was perfection and a grand start to what was to be a fantastic meal. Take a tour through some of their special dishes here, although to be honest, its all pretty special. The portions are so generous we didn't indulge in a sweet or the local cheese board all of which looked stunning as they were given to other diners. Whilst we didn't expect it, our bill was reduced to reflect our choice to skip dessert, a nice thoughtful touch as we'd certainly signed up for the whole experience.

So if you find yourself in the far north east of Scotland, possibly enroute to Orkney, take some time either end to sample the hospitality and great grub cooked at this wee gem. You certainly won't regret it. And so lovely to see folks practise what they preach - they're a strong green ethos and certainly stick firmly to their own principles.......didnae see much of Jim, I guess he was too busy cooking, great chap! We certainly appreciated his efforts. And don't just believe me - gets a great write up on Fish2Fork too!

And, once you get to Orkney, whilst there's a plethera of fabulous places if somewhere like 'The Captains Galley' inspires, you'll surely love 'The Creel' in St Margarets Hope, Orkney. These restaurants may just be long lost siblings, sharing many great traits, fabulous service and stunning local produce cooked to perfection.

As we sat at the ferry port the next night to return to Orkney, we also saw that Jim has a wee 'takeaway' on the far right of their restaurant. We peeked up to see that as well as a lot of great looking fish and chips he had a board crammed with specials. Maybe next time we can try that out too! Opening hours listed below.

So, that place you've always wanted to visit - why not give it a go? That's what we did and we were certainly well impressed. As we were finishing our meal a couple of fisherman sat at the table next to us and ordered their tea - cannae be bad if the boat chaps use it too eh? Sorry no photos of the grub - himself and I were oot for a wee romantik evening, so phones were banned. Much nicer to just enjoy things too rather than keep snapping at them!

Back to the frugal eating for us for a while, another adventure around the corner soon, no doubt!

Until next time - happy scoffing!

The Captain's Galley, located here

Phone - 01847 894 999

Email contact page here

Jim and Mary Cowie

The Captain's Galley

The Harbour

Scrabster

Thurso

KW14 7UJ

01847 894999

Winter timetable serving Thursday Friday Saturday 7pm till late. Monday Tuesday Wednesday available for private parties minimum of 6 people. New Quality Takeaway Open Tuesday thru Saturday 4pm till 6.30pm