Newtonmore restaurant & surrounding great deals!!

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Hello

We are visiting Newtonmore at Christmas time.

Can anyone give recommendations for a good restaurant (upscale pub grub fine) and what to do around the area?

Thanks!

GJ x

pogofish

I'm afraid you may not have much luck there. Whilst the area produces some of Scotlands finest produce, the quality of fare offered to the visitor of normal means is often pathetic.

If I'm heading to the Newtonmore area, I usually take a picnic.

This very subject came-up for discussion on another board recently - Here is an extract:

<<snip>>
You need never be bored. However, you might go hungry. The quality of food we experienced while attempting to eat out was well below the standard we are used to in central Scotland, and very much marred our visit.

The impression given to us is that the area is so busy that establishments don’t need to worry about attracting return trade, because there are plenty of first-time customers coming through the doors each meal time.

After being under whelmed by lunch and dinner in Grantown on our first day, (I do not recommend J J's in the main street, despite their claim the Sunday Post was impressed, nor do I recommend the nearby Fish and Chip shop, with its anaemic chips) we decided that not much could go wrong at the Italian in Aviemore. We were not expecting world class cuisine, but did at least expect a level of competence. However we were amazed to find one pizza we had ordered had tinned mushrooms on it, and another, a marinara, which according to the menu was an example of the seafood traditions of Italy, but which turned out to mean a pizza strewn with crabsticks. It wasn't cheap, either. But there's no excuse for this.

I don’t mean to single out this restaurant; it was by no means alone in what seems to be a very slap dash attitude towards catering in the area. We encountered at best uninspiring menus, uninviting interiors, what seems to be a considerable local loyalty to a rep selling pre-packed frozen garlic bread, and on one occasion downright rudeness when we enquired about evening meals at the Haugh pub in Cromdale. They clearly didn’t care whether or not we returned that evening. Presumably there’d be ample custom anyway.

We are an average family of four, not very exacting, and really only wanted decent fresh food. While just outside the area on a trip to the very excellent new Culloden exhibition, we chanced upon the Cawdor Tavern, where we had a very nice bar lunch; the Cairngorm Park could do worse than organising an outing there for all caterers in the area, so that they can see for themselves how it can be done if a little care is taken.

Sadly, though, catering in the Cairngorms seems to be stuck in the 1970s. If we return to the area, it will be to self-catering accommodation, where we can at least be assured of a reasonable standard of food. I'd recommend others do likewise.
<<snip>>

peediedj

catering certainly isnt stuck in the 70,s in the area,aviemore especially is good the cairngorm hotel is excellent for home cooked food or soup and a sandwich,or the indian royaltandorri,a new chinese has just opened the tea garden,and theres other decent resturants in the area,not sure newtonmore has any as such,but a short drive away and your sorted:beer:

pogofish

Thanks - Any more names/details of places would be very welcome.

competitionscafe

The best pub in Newtonmore is the Glen Hotel - http://www.theglenhotel.co.uk/ - not that there is much competition! Don't know what the food is like, but it can get very busy and if they have live music on it can be very loud.

I have heard that Ord Ban at Rothiemurchus is good, but again I have not eaten there myself:
http://www.rothiemurchus.net/Pages/Shop-and-Eat/Eat/Cafe-Restaurant.html

peediedj

competitionscafe wrote: »

The best pub in Newtonmore is the Glen Hotel - http://www.theglenhotel.co.uk/ - not that there is much competition! Don't know what the food is like, but it can get very busy and if they have live music on it can be very loud.

I have heard that Ord Ban at Rothiemurchus is good, but again I have not eaten there myself:
http://www.rothiemurchus.net/Pages/Shop-and-Eat/Eat/Cafe-Restaurant.html

my wife knows the lady who runs the ord ban,in fact my wife made,mazripaned and iced christmas cakes on friday for the ord ban

peediedj

in kingussie you have a friendly pub type grub at the tipsy laird,and the more expesive resturant in the cross

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pogofish wrote: »

Thanks - Any more names/details of places would be very welcome.

Hey! get your own thread! ha ha

Anyway, thanks for the details. The Ord definetly looked a go-er, except it's not open Christmas eve for dinner!! BAh...all the good restaurants are not open Christmas eve.. that is a bit stuck in the 70's!

Not sure what we'll do now. Have heard so many horror stories about dining in that area...