Plate With A View: Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, Argyll, Scotland
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The whole world may be at a Loch Fyne Oyster Bar these days (there are about 25 in the UK), but Gordon Brown and John Prescott went back to basics and pulled in at the original one, in Argyll, for their recent political powwow.
THE PLATE
The whole world may be at a Loch Fyne Oyster Bar these days (there are about 25 in the UK), but Gordon Brown and John Prescott went back to basics and pulled in at the original one, in Argyll, for their recent political powwow. The restaurant, which began as a humble oyster farm in the late 1970s, has already been dubbed the new Granita, after the Islington eaterie where Blair and Brown are thought to have made their secret pact in 1994. In reality, it's anything but. Where Granita was all about style, Loch Fyne is pure substance. Inside the small, whitewashed building, simple freshly cooked food is served, in sensible portions, on solid wooden tables.
You don't have to be an oyster fan. The seafood side of the menu ventures as far as moules marinières (with mussels fromthe adjacent loch), kiln-roasted salmon and chilli-dressed tuna, while steaks and sausages offer meatier comfort food. Oysters voluptuous enough to make even a politician blush are about as gimmicky as it gets.
THE VIEW
Like Gordon himself, it's of a peculiarly dour Scottish beauty. Drive down from the aptly named Rest and Be Thankful pass, and the view empties as wide as a growling stomach; below you, on the far shore of the loch, is the small huddle of buildings that includes the restaurant. In summer, sit by the glass windows in front and watch a pale sun skim across the loch. In winter, snuggle up in the cosy back section, using the soft grey mist outside as your excuse for whiling away the afternoon.
THE BILL
About £25 a head for a hearty three courses with coffee but not drinks.
Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, Cairndow (01499 600236; www.loch-fyne.com) open 9am to 8.30pm daily in summer
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments