Making the right choice for lunch

The usual scenario when daughter and I are deliberating goes along these lines: “Where do you want to go?”

“I don’t know, you choose.”

“I chose last time, you choose this time.”

You can tell being indecisive runs in the family.

But on this occasion we did agree to look for something different to broaden our horizons.

Heading up towards the castle before turning onto Friar Street, I was reminiscing about how there used to be a good baby clothes shop here more years ago than we both care to remember, when we spotted Friars Wynd.

There was a handful of tables outside and after a quick peruse of the menu, we decided to step inside.

It seems to be quite a new venture and I’ve since discovered it is part of a boutique hotel. It had an old fashioned wooden bar and a lot of exposed brickwork but large windows made it very bright and airy.

The menu, although not large, offered lots of tempting dishes, particularly for those looking for a light bite. There is also an a la carte menu available in the evenings.

After deliberations (see earlier comments about indecison) Christie finally decided on a halloumi cheese, roasted cherry tomato and couscous salad while I picked the Croque Madame sandwich.

Our orders were promptly taken and then we sat back to wait.

Then we heard the staff apologising to two couples sitting at nearby table that there had been a fault with the till and their order hadn’t arrived in the kitchen. Next we overheard a telephone call saying the chef had called in sick that day ... but we needn’t have worried.

Our food – and everything else we saw go past, was lovely.

My sandwich made with lovely seeded brown bread was crammed with ham and cheese before being covered in hollandaise sauce and had a perfectly cooked fried egg on top. It came with a side salad and a delicious dressing.

The halloumi salad tasted even better than it looked if that was possible and proved a perfect meal for a warm day with the giant couscous providing an interesting variation.

We both agreed that a return visit was a must, particularly to try the enticing sharing platters.

It’s also a place where you could drop in for tea and scones or coffee and cake.

However, its real selling point was the friendly staff who not only gave great service, but also took time to talk to customers and were even providing their own tourist information service to those looking for the nearby landmarks. A great advert for the area and for Scottish hospitality.

Friars Wynd, 17 Friar Street, Stirling, 01786 473390