Lunch at Loch Leven’s Larder
One of the things we love about Perthshire and Kinross is that, even after many years of creating this magazine, we’re still trying things for the first time. One of those things was lunch at Loch Leven’s Larder in August.
We were there by the kind invitation of the farming family owners, whose ethos of using farm produce in the kitchen and shop really resonated with us already.
There’s actually two cafes at Loch Leven’s Larder: the Greenhouse Cafe is for more casual, quick counter service, and the Larder Cafe offers table service and a more extensive menu. We were trying out the latter, which proved to be a surprisingly big, airy space with gorgeous views of Loch Leven and an atmosphere that felt perfect for a relaxed yet slightly special lunch or a weekend brunch.
To judge by our fellow diners, this cafe is clearly popular with both families and couples, and felt very friendly. I was particularly pleased when the server who showed us to our table clarified that it was table service, as I’ve been to so many cafes where you’re expected to just know how it works, so that felt like a very attentive touch, as did the carafe of water that was brought to each table along with the menu.
On to the food! The menu was varied and offered something a bit different, and we loved the focus on fresh produce. If you have vegetarians in your family or friend circle this would be a really good choice for lots of interesting options.
After some deliberation, Nathan ordered the pea and courgette potato gnocchi, which he described as creamy yet fresh, perfectly seasoned, herby, with a crispy kale topping. I had the smoked haddock frittata, which was perfectly set, with the egg still super soft, and lots of flaky fish. It was the salad that was the star for me though! With preserved lemon and herbs, it really sang, elevating the whole plate. Apparently this is their most popular dish and I could readily see why.
We’ve eaten at lots of places and we’re really impressed with the quality of the ingredients and the finesse shown in the details, like how the salad was dressed and the confident use of herbs. It made it into something beyond the everyday. And it was reasonably priced too we thought, not much more than getting a toasty somewhere else.
We were fortunate enough to be visiting on a beautiful summers day, so it also made a big difference that the cold drink selection was carefully considered, and my earl grey iced tea was something I’d go back for just by itself. We finished off with excellent coffees and, in my case, a slice of carrot cake, chosen from a varied selection.
After lunch we enjoyed an absorbing wander round the gift shop, foodhall and deli, which had something for everyone. A stroll round the outside completed our visit, which had been a delight from start to finish. We’re already looking forward to our next visit.
Nathan and Abi received complimentary lunch for the purpose of this review.
