Tam Cowan's "The Blair" Review

Kilwinning

At least six weeks have passed since I went to review The Blair... and I'm still stuffed.

Honestly, folks, not since Linford Christie hung up his lycra shorts have I seen such huge portions.

The proprietor of The Blair, a chap called Jim Murdoch, also owns the hugely popular Carrick Lodge in Ayr, so he clearly doesn't need any tips from yours truly on how to make money.

But here's a friendly word of advice, mate. If you want to increase your profit margin quite dramatically, simply reduce the amount of food on each plate.

Some readers may disagree, but I quite like being able to see my partner's face at the other side of the table...

Yep, I guarantee you won't feel hungry when you waddle out of this particular restaurant (unlike some places I could mention) and, even though we visited on a dreich Tuesday night, I now fully understand why the place was going like a fair.

The heaped plates are also great value for money with the two of us enjoying a three course dinner with wine for £57.

And this included a fantastic fillet steak with all the trimmings (yes, even the pepper sauce!) for just £16.50.

The decor is also pretty impressive and the snug little lounge where we perused the menu while sipping an aperitif is the sort of place you could happily sit all night.

As for ticking the other boxes, well, the toilets were immaculate and the friendly, chatty staff deserve praise (a special mention for the human sat-nav who provided great directions over the phone when we got lost in nearby Kilwinning).

Like the lounge, the diningroomis also snug and toasty. A bit too toasty, to be honest, and I'd have cheerfully paid a 10 per cent surcharge for an open window or awee burst of air-conditioning.

I've also got a good mind to criticise the fresh flowers decorating every table. - but that's only because I suffer from hellish hayfever.

Nope, a nice wee touch, I'm sure the ladies will love it.

Similar to the tried and trusted line-up at the aforementioned Carrick Lodge, the menu offers freshly prepared comfort food at its very best - say hello to old favourites like lamb's liver and onions, homemade fishcakes and shepherd's pie.

All our food was served on red hot plates (okay, smart-ass, apart from dessert) and Liz started with agenerous plate of plump prawns in crispy, melt-in-the-mouth tempura batter.

Served with a sweet chilli sauce that kicked like a donkey wearing tackety boots, they were quite delicious.

Well, so I'm told. I only had eyes for what is perhaps best described as a mini-breakfast: black pudding with a poached egg and crispy Parma ham.

If you're even slightly peckish while reading this review, how good did that just sound?

The steak pie had been highly recommended by two members of staff in the lounge, so I had no problem choosing a main course.

Cooked Scottish-style with chunks of sausage (yee-ha!) the beef was nice and tender and even I couldn't complain about the fine pastry which did a great jobof soaking up the rich, tasty gravy.

Served with mashed potatoes and a mountain of veg I suddenly realised why the waitress had pulled a funny face when I ordered a side dish of cajunspiced fries.

It was a similar story across the table. But Liz couldn't help wondering if the chunky chips, the homemade onion rings (superb), the mushrooms and the roasted tomato took the edge off the otherwise excellent fillet steak.

Remember, sometimes less is more, folks.

Dessert? Well, even though Mr Creosote would have chucked in the towel, Liz couldn't resist the meringue nest with fresh strawberries and cream and, just like the couple at the next table, I asked for a plain vanilla ice-cream.

Something light was all I could possibly manage and a fiver says they don't sell a lot of cheese and biscuits at The Blair.

So, yet another restaurant that does Ayrshire proud and we'll be returning soon as Liz thinks it's exactly the sort of place her mum would love.

To be honest, I wish I'd taken the mother-in-law this time around.

Then today's headline could have been 'The Blair Witch Project'...

TAM'S HOT PLATE AWARD

Name: The Blair

Address: Lochlibo Road, Auchentiber, Kilwinning

Tel: 01294 850237

Open: All day seven days

Wheelchair access: Yes

Bill for two (with wine): £57

Food: 5/5 - outstanding

Service: 4/5 - chatty and cheerful

Decor: 4/5 - warm but wonderful

Toilets: 5/5 - sparkling

Value: 5/5 - a pleasure paying the bill

Total: 23/25