Went to Johnston's Bar Bistro as an afterthought, we were touring the area and needed a place for lunch, so I did a quick check of reviews and trooped up. The bar is located just within the main shopping precinct, that didn't fill me with enthusiasm, but when we entered the door we were not unimpressed. It's quite a small bar area, but there is a good-sized mezzanine, and it has the look and feel of a more metropolitan bar-bistro. I was particularly taken with the wine glass chandeliers, attractive, and functional too if they get a sudden run on the old vino!
We got shown upstairs by our efficient and friendly barman and got given the menus. The beer choices could have been more exciting but hey they had Staropramen, so that made me happy...and scallops which make me ecstatic. I ordered the Scallops, these are apparently hand-dived - as they should be, yep even more impressed - and the Smoked Haddock & Stornoway Black Pudding Risotto. The nominated driver ordered the Kings Prawns (in white wine, garlic and chilli) and Haggis, Neeps & Tatties (half portion offer, with a cream whisky sauce).
So within two minutes the waiter was back - no scallops - dammit I was crestfallen, but I opted for the prawns instead. I was glad I did, they were fantastic, well cooked with a burny chilli reduction. The best king prawns I've ever had I reckon, and best equal the nominated driver thought. We were looking forward to the mains and we weren't to be offended.
The mains turned up, her half portion of haggis and the traditional accompaniments took up pretty much an entire big plate and apparently it was lovely, needless to say I'm gonna order the full portion if we go back. I'm up for the challenge! My risotto looked a bit like dodgy porridge out of a box and I was a bit unsure about it, but it turns out haddock, black pudding and rice really go together well. Who knew!?
All-in-all brilliant, a cracking bar-bistro read more