Loch Fyne Oyster Bar - Cairndow, Argyll
Description
The original LOCH FYNE oyster bar.Style of food on offer: Seafood
Parking: Own Parking Lot
Review Summary
Loch Fyne Oyster Bar has received 8 reviews, giving the following average ratings (out of 10 - higher is better):| Overall: | 6.875 |
| Food: | 8.375 |
| Service: | 5.25 |
| Ambiance: | 7.5 |
The reviews can be seen in full below these details.
Recommended dishes: OYSTERS ON ICE [TO DIE FOR] Oysters Oysters
Address and Contact Details
|
Clachan Cairndow Argyll Scotland PA26 8BL |
Telephone: 01499 600236 Website: Click here |
Other Information
Seating capacity: 100Customer Reviews for Loch Fyne Oyster Bar - Cairndow
HEAVENLY - review added on Fri 24th Mar 2006
I,M ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST FANS AND I VISIT THE CAIRNDOW ESTATE THREE TIMES A YEAR AND VISIT YOUR RESTURANT MANY TIMES DURING MY VISIT !I WOULD VISIT MORE BUT MY HUSBAND IS A VEGETERIAN AND THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH CHOICES SO HE BECOMES BORED EATING THE SAME MEAL EVERY VISIT I WOULD BEG YOU TO INCREASE YOUR ALTERNATIVES TO ENSURE MORE BOOKINGS FROM US.
Recommended Dishes: OYSTERS ON ICE [TO DIE FOR]
Poor Customer Service - Average Food - review added on Tue 29th May 2007
We decided to make a day trip from Glasgow to the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar for lunch - I had heard good things about this place so was really looking forward to the meal. Had to wait an hour for a table - fair enough, we hadn't booked. But we were left standing at the front door for about 10 mins whilst staff member after staff member walked past us, completely ignoring us. Eventually, we had to ask the other customers waiting around us what the system was and then had to approach the person in charge (Fiona). She had walked past the growing crowd at the door numerous times, leaving the rest of her (obviously very busy) staff to deal with enquiries and growls from the increasingly frustrated crowd, which they had no authority to deal with, having to leave their post to go and ask her what to do.When we got our food (30 mins later) it was ok. But at £15 for a bowl of Boullabaisse, I'd expect a little more than a bland tomato sauce that did nothing to enhance the quality of the seafood within. It's a shame to see such great quality produce let down. My partner's dish of salmon was nice, but after experiencing such bad customer service before we had even sat down, it did little to recompense.Having worked in the restaurant business for a number of years, it's such a shame to see a place with such promise let down by a simple thing like just taking 2 seconds to make eye contact with customers. I'm sorry to say we won't be back.
Re Anonymous - review added on Sat 30th Jun 2007
To be perfectly frank, Mr or Mrs Anonymous must have exceedingly high expectations of what food they dine on.To explain.Loch Fyne Oyster Bar is quite simply one of the best restaurants to eat in Scotland.The setting is fantastic on the shores of beautiful Loch Fyne, overlooking some wonderful Scottish mountains. Go at different times of the year, as the scenery changes with the seasons.It is very easy to get to from Glasgow, and the drive takes you through some spectacular scenery. It's like embarking on a big adventure, with exquisite sea food as your reward at the end. The staff are very friendly and accessible, making you feel very comfortable during your dining experience. You are never rushed to get the next course. The timing between courses is impeccable. This is because the staff are very attentive, and judge at what point their clients are likely to be in need of their next course. I have dined here on quite a few occasions with a dozen family members and the service has never failed us.May I stress, though, that they don't smother you.The restaurant has a healthy bustle sort of an atmosphere, but also feels laid back. I can always relax here. It's almost as though a part of Northern Brittany has been placed on a Scottish sea loch.Eventually I've got to the food part! This is an oyster bar, so don't expect an abundance of non sea food dishes. Having said that, the locally sourced venison is delicious. If fish tickles your taste buds, there are a variety of smoked salmon dishes, traditional poached haddock and kippers, as well as daily dishes, that can include local trout or a nice piece of sea bream, to name just a couple of examples.They also do a lovely sea food platter. Highly recommended!I can't see beyond the oysters, though. They have been recently plucked from the loch you are looking at through the restaurant window. To put it another way...fresh, fresh, fresh. They are fantastic. I will not explain the taste. I will leave that to you.To finish, let's go back to Mr or Mrs Anonymous. They started off badly! Please do not go to Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, without booking a table, or you may be disappointed. It is very popular for a reason. The food is stunning, and the setting is incredible.Enjoy your oysters.
Recommended Dishes: Oysters
Disappointing Service - review added on Tue 24th Jun 2008
Food was overall pretty decent quality, but took hours to arrive. My crab salad was two undressed crabs on a piece of lettuce. There was no salad to speak of and no work had been done at all to the crabs. Oysters were good, and tasty, I had the Spinach Grilled oysters and they were very nice, although they were not piping hot when they arrived. There was bread on arrival which was nice and fresh, just as well as the starters took over an hour to arrive.We had booked lunch for four peple at 1.30pm on a Saturday afternoon (last week June 14th 2008). We thought we would be late by about 5 minutes (we weren't in the end), and we called to let them know on the phone. We arrived on time and the despite having booked a table had to wait for 10 minutes in a queue at the door to be seated. We ordered a £40 bottle of wine, which was not poured, or offered to taste and was just placed on the table. This was finished before we had even eaten anything as our starters (oysters mainly, 2 of them were cold platters) took over 1 hour to arrive. When I complained about the wait for our starters I was advised that it was because everything was cooked fresh, two of our starters were oysters, and required little preparation aside from opening them and flashing them under a grill.Our mains arrived, nobody checked us at all to see if our meal was okay, or if we needed anything else. I had to go and find staff to order more wine and water, and we were left with plates on our table, and not offered coffee and deserts, so we just asked for the bill.This was a huge let down and it took 2 and a half hours to eat lunch. The service was poor and you were made to feel like the restaurant was doing you a favour by allowing you to eat there. I would not recommend or return. We were very disappointed as we had started our holiday here, and it was a real let down. This is the flagship restaurant on the shores of Loch Fyne and I really feel they are trading off the name and location and the quality is pretty bad.
Recommended Dishes: Oysters
Poor service ruins what should have been a great food experience - review added on Tue 29th May 2007
We decided to make a day trip from Glasgow to the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar for lunch - I had heard good things about this place so was really looking forward to the meal. Had to wait an hour for a table - fair enough, we hadn't booked. But we were left standing at the front door for about 10 mins whilst staff member after staff member walked past us, completely ignoring us. Eventually, we had to ask the other customers waiting around us what the system was and then had to approach the person in charge (Fiona). She had walked past the growing crowd at the door numerous times, leaving the rest of her (obviously very busy) staff to deal with enquiries and growls from the increasingly frustrated crowd, which they had no authority to deal with, having to leave their post to go and ask her what to do. When we got our food (30 mins later) it was ok. But at £15 for a bowl of Boullabaisse, I'd expect a little more than a bland tomato sauce that did nothing to enhance the quality of the seafood within. It's a shame to see such great quality produce let down. My partner's dish of salmon was nice, but after experiencing such bad customer service before we had even sat down, it did little to recompense. Having worked in the restaurant business for a number of years, it's such a shame to see a place with such promise let down by a simple thing like just taking 2 seconds to make eye contact with customers. I'm sorry to say we won't be back.
A Wonderful experience - review added on Sat 10th Nov 2007
I was sad to read the negative review of this restaurant, and to see it has been put in twice....Hmmmmm This is a treasure of a restaurant with great ambience. The scenery on the drive to get to it is spectacular, Loch Fyne never dissapoints in any weather. The staff are friendly and as previous people have said efficient in knowing when to clear dishes ready for the next course.The fish is well cooked, very fresh and tasty. The price is reflective of the produce and I was thrilled to be able to order a glass of Champagne with my Oysters, whilst my other half who was driving looked on with envy. Do book, they do get busy at weekends in summer and it does do away with being left at the door drooling at the mouth, which is not a pretty sight. If you love fresh fish and fancy a drive in fabulous scenery then do go and try it...Scotland needs more of this type of restaurant, I wish they would franchise everywhere...
Recommended Dishes: Oysters
Make a detour if necessary - review added on Fri 16th May 2008
We organise holidays to ensure that we have to pass by the Loch Fyne Oyster bar. It has to rank as one of the best gastronomic experiences of Scotland. However as others have already noted PLEASE BOOK in advance otherwise you could well be disappointed, and don't go if you don't like seafood. Seems obvious doesn't it?
Recommended Dishes: Oysters
Great food - poor management - review added on Thu 3rd Jul 2008
I've been to this restaurant several times, the last being last Summer. The food is always excellent but service is quite often poor. I accept the previous advice to book but on the last occassion we didn't. We put our names down on the waiting list and were told to come back in 1/2 an hour which we did. We had the same scenario of the manageress and staff walking past constantly with no acknowledgement of any kind. Eventually after waiting 1/2 an hour past our original time we caught the manageress' attention. She had made a mistake and was calling tables for people who had arrived after us, although as a family of 4 we were quite visible to her. No apology, no complimentary drink, no attempt at customer care of any kind. We'll be back, but only because of the quality of the food, many people would not be so forgiving. Unfortunately for the waiting staff, who were efficient, tips will be in short supply if the management does not improve.
Recommended Dishes: Seafood Platter
I,M ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST FANS AND I VISIT THE CAIRNDOW ESTATE THREE TIMES A YEAR AND VISIT YOUR RESTURANT MANY TIMES DURING MY VISIT !I WOULD VISIT MORE BUT MY HUSBAND IS A VEGETERIAN AND THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH CHOICES SO HE BECOMES BORED EATING THE SAME MEAL EVERY VISIT I WOULD BEG YOU TO INCREASE YOUR ALTERNATIVES TO ENSURE MORE BOOKINGS FROM US.
| Overall: | 10 |
| Food: | 10 |
| Service: | 10 |
| Ambiance: | 10 |
Recommended Dishes: OYSTERS ON ICE [TO DIE FOR]
Poor Customer Service - Average Food - review added on Tue 29th May 2007
We decided to make a day trip from Glasgow to the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar for lunch - I had heard good things about this place so was really looking forward to the meal. Had to wait an hour for a table - fair enough, we hadn't booked. But we were left standing at the front door for about 10 mins whilst staff member after staff member walked past us, completely ignoring us. Eventually, we had to ask the other customers waiting around us what the system was and then had to approach the person in charge (Fiona). She had walked past the growing crowd at the door numerous times, leaving the rest of her (obviously very busy) staff to deal with enquiries and growls from the increasingly frustrated crowd, which they had no authority to deal with, having to leave their post to go and ask her what to do.When we got our food (30 mins later) it was ok. But at £15 for a bowl of Boullabaisse, I'd expect a little more than a bland tomato sauce that did nothing to enhance the quality of the seafood within. It's a shame to see such great quality produce let down. My partner's dish of salmon was nice, but after experiencing such bad customer service before we had even sat down, it did little to recompense.Having worked in the restaurant business for a number of years, it's such a shame to see a place with such promise let down by a simple thing like just taking 2 seconds to make eye contact with customers. I'm sorry to say we won't be back.
| Overall: | 2 |
| Food: | 6 |
| Service: | 4 |
| Ambiance: | 6 |
Re Anonymous - review added on Sat 30th Jun 2007
To be perfectly frank, Mr or Mrs Anonymous must have exceedingly high expectations of what food they dine on.To explain.Loch Fyne Oyster Bar is quite simply one of the best restaurants to eat in Scotland.The setting is fantastic on the shores of beautiful Loch Fyne, overlooking some wonderful Scottish mountains. Go at different times of the year, as the scenery changes with the seasons.It is very easy to get to from Glasgow, and the drive takes you through some spectacular scenery. It's like embarking on a big adventure, with exquisite sea food as your reward at the end. The staff are very friendly and accessible, making you feel very comfortable during your dining experience. You are never rushed to get the next course. The timing between courses is impeccable. This is because the staff are very attentive, and judge at what point their clients are likely to be in need of their next course. I have dined here on quite a few occasions with a dozen family members and the service has never failed us.May I stress, though, that they don't smother you.The restaurant has a healthy bustle sort of an atmosphere, but also feels laid back. I can always relax here. It's almost as though a part of Northern Brittany has been placed on a Scottish sea loch.Eventually I've got to the food part! This is an oyster bar, so don't expect an abundance of non sea food dishes. Having said that, the locally sourced venison is delicious. If fish tickles your taste buds, there are a variety of smoked salmon dishes, traditional poached haddock and kippers, as well as daily dishes, that can include local trout or a nice piece of sea bream, to name just a couple of examples.They also do a lovely sea food platter. Highly recommended!I can't see beyond the oysters, though. They have been recently plucked from the loch you are looking at through the restaurant window. To put it another way...fresh, fresh, fresh. They are fantastic. I will not explain the taste. I will leave that to you.To finish, let's go back to Mr or Mrs Anonymous. They started off badly! Please do not go to Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, without booking a table, or you may be disappointed. It is very popular for a reason. The food is stunning, and the setting is incredible.Enjoy your oysters.
| Overall: | 10 |
| Food: | 10 |
| Service: | 8 |
| Ambiance: | 10 |
Recommended Dishes: Oysters
Disappointing Service - review added on Tue 24th Jun 2008
Food was overall pretty decent quality, but took hours to arrive. My crab salad was two undressed crabs on a piece of lettuce. There was no salad to speak of and no work had been done at all to the crabs. Oysters were good, and tasty, I had the Spinach Grilled oysters and they were very nice, although they were not piping hot when they arrived. There was bread on arrival which was nice and fresh, just as well as the starters took over an hour to arrive.We had booked lunch for four peple at 1.30pm on a Saturday afternoon (last week June 14th 2008). We thought we would be late by about 5 minutes (we weren't in the end), and we called to let them know on the phone. We arrived on time and the despite having booked a table had to wait for 10 minutes in a queue at the door to be seated. We ordered a £40 bottle of wine, which was not poured, or offered to taste and was just placed on the table. This was finished before we had even eaten anything as our starters (oysters mainly, 2 of them were cold platters) took over 1 hour to arrive. When I complained about the wait for our starters I was advised that it was because everything was cooked fresh, two of our starters were oysters, and required little preparation aside from opening them and flashing them under a grill.Our mains arrived, nobody checked us at all to see if our meal was okay, or if we needed anything else. I had to go and find staff to order more wine and water, and we were left with plates on our table, and not offered coffee and deserts, so we just asked for the bill.This was a huge let down and it took 2 and a half hours to eat lunch. The service was poor and you were made to feel like the restaurant was doing you a favour by allowing you to eat there. I would not recommend or return. We were very disappointed as we had started our holiday here, and it was a real let down. This is the flagship restaurant on the shores of Loch Fyne and I really feel they are trading off the name and location and the quality is pretty bad.
| Overall: | 2 |
| Food: | 6 |
| Service: | 2 |
| Ambiance: | 6 |
Recommended Dishes: Oysters
Poor service ruins what should have been a great food experience - review added on Tue 29th May 2007
We decided to make a day trip from Glasgow to the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar for lunch - I had heard good things about this place so was really looking forward to the meal. Had to wait an hour for a table - fair enough, we hadn't booked. But we were left standing at the front door for about 10 mins whilst staff member after staff member walked past us, completely ignoring us. Eventually, we had to ask the other customers waiting around us what the system was and then had to approach the person in charge (Fiona). She had walked past the growing crowd at the door numerous times, leaving the rest of her (obviously very busy) staff to deal with enquiries and growls from the increasingly frustrated crowd, which they had no authority to deal with, having to leave their post to go and ask her what to do. When we got our food (30 mins later) it was ok. But at £15 for a bowl of Boullabaisse, I'd expect a little more than a bland tomato sauce that did nothing to enhance the quality of the seafood within. It's a shame to see such great quality produce let down. My partner's dish of salmon was nice, but after experiencing such bad customer service before we had even sat down, it did little to recompense. Having worked in the restaurant business for a number of years, it's such a shame to see a place with such promise let down by a simple thing like just taking 2 seconds to make eye contact with customers. I'm sorry to say we won't be back.
| Overall: | 6 |
| Food: | 6 |
| Service: | 2 |
| Ambiance: | 5 |
A Wonderful experience - review added on Sat 10th Nov 2007
I was sad to read the negative review of this restaurant, and to see it has been put in twice....Hmmmmm This is a treasure of a restaurant with great ambience. The scenery on the drive to get to it is spectacular, Loch Fyne never dissapoints in any weather. The staff are friendly and as previous people have said efficient in knowing when to clear dishes ready for the next course.The fish is well cooked, very fresh and tasty. The price is reflective of the produce and I was thrilled to be able to order a glass of Champagne with my Oysters, whilst my other half who was driving looked on with envy. Do book, they do get busy at weekends in summer and it does do away with being left at the door drooling at the mouth, which is not a pretty sight. If you love fresh fish and fancy a drive in fabulous scenery then do go and try it...Scotland needs more of this type of restaurant, I wish they would franchise everywhere...
| Overall: | 9 |
| Food: | 9 |
| Service: | 9 |
| Ambiance: | 8 |
Recommended Dishes: Oysters
Make a detour if necessary - review added on Fri 16th May 2008
We organise holidays to ensure that we have to pass by the Loch Fyne Oyster bar. It has to rank as one of the best gastronomic experiences of Scotland. However as others have already noted PLEASE BOOK in advance otherwise you could well be disappointed, and don't go if you don't like seafood. Seems obvious doesn't it?
| Overall: | 9 |
| Food: | 10 |
| Service: | 6 |
| Ambiance: | 8 |
Recommended Dishes: Oysters
Great food - poor management - review added on Thu 3rd Jul 2008
I've been to this restaurant several times, the last being last Summer. The food is always excellent but service is quite often poor. I accept the previous advice to book but on the last occassion we didn't. We put our names down on the waiting list and were told to come back in 1/2 an hour which we did. We had the same scenario of the manageress and staff walking past constantly with no acknowledgement of any kind. Eventually after waiting 1/2 an hour past our original time we caught the manageress' attention. She had made a mistake and was calling tables for people who had arrived after us, although as a family of 4 we were quite visible to her. No apology, no complimentary drink, no attempt at customer care of any kind. We'll be back, but only because of the quality of the food, many people would not be so forgiving. Unfortunately for the waiting staff, who were efficient, tips will be in short supply if the management does not improve.
| Overall: | 7 |
| Food: | 10 |
| Service: | 1 |
| Ambiance: | 7 |
Recommended Dishes: Seafood Platter
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