"What I truly appreciate about the Orchard is that you can stay seated throughout your meal (except for bathroom breaks) as everything, including drinks, is delivered to your table. We were in no hurry the day we dined, having left the car at home, and we were ready for a three-course meal. After placing our orders, we noticed a nearby table being served one of the sandwiches on a slate plate, which looked appetizing, making it a great option for a quick business lunch.
For starters, my dining companion chose the Arbroath smokie pate with seasonal leaves and toast (£6), while I opted for the grilled goats cheese on toasted brioche accompanied by seasonal leaves, red onions, confit, and pesto dressing (£5). Both starters were beautifully presented, a consistent theme throughout our meal. The pate was packed with flavor, and the toast complemented it perfectly alongside the salad. The goats cheese melted beautifully over the warm brioche, with the red onions creating a delightful contrast.
I enjoyed a lovely glass of pinot grigio for £3.75, while my friend sampled a few ales and lagers from the menu. For the main course, we both chose the Cockburn’s black pudding served with Ayrshire bacon, a poached egg, and hollandaise sauce (£10). The black pudding was rich in flavor, and the combination of bacon, salad, and poached egg was delightful.
During our meal, the service was attentive; the staff checked in to ensure everything was to our liking, to which we responded, "yes, it’s delicious." Our drinks were promptly refilled, and there was just the right amount of time left between courses.
For dessert, we selected the chocolate and mascarpone cheesecake with Baileys ice cream and the pear and almond tart with vanilla pod ice cream, both priced at £5. Once again, both dishes were beautifully presented and tasted equally as good. The cheesecake was simply perfect, and the ice cream accompanied by fruit compote offered a refreshing contrast to the rich chocolate. The warm pear and almond tart was exquisitely baked, with a wonderful almond flavor.
Both desserts were absolutely divine, and the others on the menu looked just as tempting. We continued to enjoy drinks after dessert without feeling rushed to leave. I cannot recommend the service and food quality at the Orchard enough; in my opinion, it surpasses its sister restaurant, Avoca."
