Highlands – LOST GEM 2020
I have had the good fortune to roam the Scottish hills with friends, frequent its local pubs and, of course, tour the single malt Scotch whisky distilleries. Highlands brings these quintessential memories of Scotland rushing back. It is an intriguing blend of old and new, both in the décor and in the food. The atmosphere is simple, with modern wooden tables and touches of plaid on the chairs. While Scottish standbys of Cullen skink (smoked haddock soup), bangers and mash, and braised lamb shoulder pie grace the menu, the less adventurous of us (and by now my readers know which camp I am in) were glad to see the barley / mushroom risotto with a touch of whisky, red wine roasted pear salad and slow roasted fall vegetable salad. The star of the evening, at least for the aficionados in our group, was the voluminous list of single malt scotch whisky. They always look for something a little off the beaten track of The Macallan and the well-known “Glens”. On our last visit, my husband sipped a seventeen-year sherry cask Old Pulteney from the Highland region and it now has a permanent place in our home inventory.