The Auld Smiddy Inn

At Knockendarroch

➤ Higher Oakfield, PH16 5HT, Pitlochry, United Kingdom

Carte • Kebab • Cafés • Mexican • Fast Food

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"The staff were definitely lovely and helpful. The location is removed from main drag to avoid noise but close enough to walk and there is on-site parking. Dinner was exceptional and breakfast was fine. Service extremely accommodating and knowledgeable about my food issues. Unfortunately the room itself was underwhelming for what is billed as 4 star and the nightly rate paid. It was a premium room on floor 1. There was a strong musty odor immediately upon entering the room. One of the 4 windows was operable and not permanently locked. We kept open and asked for a fan, which was promptly brought to the room. There was no AC and I began to notice large dehumidifiers throughout public area. No USB port charging available, no safe, no makeup mirror. TV extremely small, to the point we had to get up and walk in front of it to read the guide. Water pressure was spotty and shower curtain didn't reach all the way around. The view was pretty and the decor in rooms and public areas is keeping with historic nature of the building. It might be more modern in the new garden rooms, so maybe look into those if the above would also be of concern too for you."

Victoria's

➤ 45 Atholl Rd, PH16 5BX, Pitlochry, United Kingdom

Carte • Pizza • Sushi • Mexican • Seafood

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"Our first time at Victoria not the last! The roast breast of duck dish (see photo) might be the best duck I've ever tasted; the salmon fillet with leeks&pearl barley was beautifully cooked, and one sticky toffee pudding was enough for us both... all dishes wonderfully presented. A lovely venue, and great staff. I'd say it was a great place for a special meal. We'll be back up from Edinburgh......"

Fern Cottage

➤ Fern Cottage Ferry Road, PH16 5DD, Perth Kinross, United Kingdom

Carte • Food • Fish • Beer • Steak

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"Really good quality food, when you ask for the wine menu also ask for ones that aren't on there sometimes have specials that they don't have on the list, it's well worth an ask, What a lovely starters main course and my favourite to finish with “cheese and biscuits” from locally sourced produce I can't fault the meal at all and excellently well prepared the only thing is make sure you take your wallet with you because it's not a cheap place in any way whatsoever and close to overpriced in comparison to quality and prices locally"

Escape Route

➤ 3 Atholl Rd, Pitlochry, Scotland, PH16 5BX, United Kingdom

Carte • Sushi • Cafés • Seafood • Asiatic

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"We called into the Escape Route Café for a spot of lunch after a quick romp up nearby Ben Vrackie. It's a nice spot close to the centre of Pitlochry, with plenty of seating both indoors and out. The sun was shining so we grabbed a seat outside. We were soon welcomed by a friendly waitress who talked us through the vegan options. There was plenty to choose from, including a tasty sweet chilli ch*cken ciabatta which I very much enjoyed. There's also a burger, a portobello mushroom ciabatta and a BBQ chickpea sandwich. The soup of the day is also vegan. I believe they also have vegan breakfast options earlier in the day. Not the cheapest but worth it. Updated from previous review on 2023-05-12"

Fonab Castle Brasserie

➤ Fonab Castle Hotel, Perth Kinross, United Kingdom, PH16 5NE

Carte • Soup • Steak • Coffee • Cheese

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"Very disappointing. Having been to Fonab on a few occasions previously, we had no hesitation in meeting our friends there to celebrate his birthday……. Big mistake. Table was booked for 7pm. We arrived at 7.05 due to the rain and bad roads. As we arrived my friends phone was ringing, this was the hotel asking if we were still coming! In fact we were standing in front of the lady that was on the phone! We were shown to our seats and asked if we wanted to order drinks before we sat down. In fact we were asked 4 times before I asked if they had a cocktail menu which we were then given. The waiter stood there while we looked at it with pen poised! We all felt a bit uncomfortable and rushed. Drinks order arrived and a bottle of tonic was dropped on the table. The waiter cleaned the floor and left to get another bottle. He returned, apologised,left the bottle and disappeared. We then had to ask if someone could wipe the table and the side plate. Wine ordered but did not arrive. We had to ask for it after the main course arrived. Waiter poured us our first glass and after that we had to pour our own. My meal arrived and my Pomme purée was cold. I very privately told the waitress and she took it away. When she brought it back I had only a 3rd of the pomme purée I had the first time, but thought it best to not make a complaint. However I very quickly realised that my sole was raw! Not undercooked or opaque but actually raw and cold in the middle. Again I informed the waitress. She apologised and asked if I would like to order something else. I declined as by now the others were almost finished their meals. We didn’t order desserts and only 1 out of the 4 of us ordered a coffee, an Americano with hot milk on the side. When it arrived it was a black coffee with cold milk on the side! We then asked for the bill as we just wanted to go home. I checked the bill and the fish had not been charged, however the pomme purée and the broccoli sides I’d ordered had been! I asked them to remove them and to also remove the 12.5% service charge. The waitress wasn’t too happy and still no apology. I then asked to speak to a supervisor/manager to be told that there wasn’t a manager on duty (this was a Saturday night! there was an assistant manager and that was the waitress we’d been dealing with! She said she would get a manager to call me tomorrow and took my name, phone number and email address. This was Saturday evening 20th May and it is now Wednesday 24th and still no communication of any sort. I always believe that problems can occur in any business but it is how they are handled and rectified that leaves a lasting impression. As I said, very disappointing. My conclusion is that this is an apparent 5 star establishment, but in the last few months we have stayed/eaten at The Balmoral, Cameron House and Gleneagles and this was NOT 5 star by any stretch of the imagination! In fact the only thing 5 star about Fonab is the beautiful view and the prices!"