Undiscovered Scotland

 

There's a sense that the defining characteristic of the Moness Resort is its flexibility, offering as it does a range of accommodation options to suit just about any taste or set of circumstances. The same is true for the dining options on offer. You can read our hotel review for Moness Resort here.

Those choosing to dine at the Moness Resort have two options available to them. We discuss below the Terrace Grill, but the focal point of the dining experience has to be the Flemmyng Restaurant, which offers fine dining from 6pm to 9pm every evening in an attractive environment. When we visited the dinner menu offered a choice of eight starters (including a soup of the day, and canapés); seven mains plus three steak options; and six sweets.

The menu may well be different when you visit, but out experience gives an idea of the sort of food on offer in the Flemmyng Restaurant. For starters we went for "haggis bon bon, turnip puree and a glazed duchesse potato with parsnip crisps, red amaranth and a smoked pancetta", and "pan fried scallop wrapped in lemon sole and prosciutto ham, braised scallop tripe, red vein sorrel and a lemon and mint gremolata." Both were beautifully presented and very enjoyable. The mains that followed were "Highland venison loin with dauphinoise potatoes, buttered large leaf spinach, wild mushroom puree, honey glazed baby carrots and a chocolate and juniper jus," and a "breast of corn fed chicken, rosemary fondant potato, seasonal vegetables, chicken skin tuille and a damson and soft herb jus." Again, the care and attention to detail that had gone into the preparation of the dishes was obvious. The sweets that concluded the meal were a "warm chocolate brownie with a rich chocolate sauce and honeycomb ice cream" and a "selection of homemade ice creams and sorbets with fruit coulis". This latter turned out to be the chef's selection rather than the diner's and comprised honeycomb, plum, and chocolate and star anise ice creams, all of which were lovely.

Open for rather longer is the Terrace Grill, which serves food from 11am to 9pm. This can be found on the upper floor of the country club and occupies a number of distinct areas, including one overlooking the swimming pool and another outside on the terrace for those warm days which, as we found, do occur even at the very end of September. The look and feel of the Terrace Grill is informal and "bistro style" and offers a range of snacks and meals as well as tea, coffee and refreshments.

The menu in the Terrace Grill was wide-ranging when we stayed. Separate sections covered starters, salads, 10 inch baguettes, burgers, a sharing platter, mains, sides and desserts; while specials boards covered the children's menu, spa lunches, and specials such an an attractive burger and beer deal. We stayed two nights at Moness so were able to sample the Terrace Grill on our second day. The starter of "wedges with cheese and bacon" was simply outstanding, and the "steak burger" and "venison burger" (both served on a toasted brioche bun with French fries and homemade coleslaw) can also be highly recommended. Desserts of "crème brûlée" and a "trio of ice creams" rounded off the meal nicely.

Many people staying at Moness Resort will choose to do so on a self catering basis, and it is worth noting that the cottages come comprehensively equipped for guests wishing either to cook for themselves or consume take-away food, whether purchased from the Terrace Grill, where take-away is an option, or from elsewhere. Aberfeldy is only a short walk or drive away, and comes complete with a well-stocked Co-op supermarket (and other shops) and a number of dining and take-away options.

Breakfast at Moness Resort is served in the Flemmyng Restaurant. It comprises a first course from a cold buffet followed by a table-served hot second course. The latter includes a full Scottish breakfast, Scottish smoked salmon with creamy scrambled eggs, grilled Loch Fyne kippers, or vegetarian options, and serves to set you up nicely for the day. You can read our hotel review for Moness Resort here.