WRITE CHOICES AND ASPIRATIONS

Sounds like an easy enough mission, but boy oh boy if you were blindfolded some of the stuff that has passed my throat of late would have you guessing.    So let's start with a good establishment, The Stenhouse Gallery in Crieff, where a mixture of soft relaxing music, arty decor and polite service makes for a pleasant experience.   If you are really lucky you have bagged the comfy sofas in the window or the leather chairs nearby.   The menu isn't huge, but what is on offer comes packed with flavour and plenty of it. Yesterday I enjoyed a bowl of broccoli and stilton soup beautifully presented plus the aforementioned latte, which came like a work of art.   It slid over the throat without any bitter aftertaste.   Definitely on my tick list.

Del Vino, another Crieff establishment has also met with approval although I have never eaten there, but they always seem busy, which in itself is usually a good sign.

On the other side of Comrie, the Tullybannocher restaurant has just changed hands and finally installed a coffee machine.   Here again the latte is as it should be.  The place has undergone a major revamp which includes a change of menu.   I have yet to sample the food as there present closing time(hopefully this will change once the "season" gets going) is 5p.m.    I can never, ever understand any eating establishment closing at a time most people are wanting to eat, yet it is often the case.   When I was in that business I didn't like turning away money!  The decor here is now much brighter, but I have to confess to a little sadness at it losing its rustic appeal with long wooden tables etc.   However instead we have the ubiquitous leather sofas near the door (and comfy they are too)and very smart looking polished tables.  The menu itself has been reduced with sandwiches, baked potatoes, paninis etc being to the fore.   A roast lunch was on offer at £9.95.   Although not over expensive, I would have liked to have seen it slightly cheaper. 

I'll keep adding to this list with each decent coffee hit.