We’ve been keen to visit this long-established hotel in Findhorn for something to eat. It’s the only hotel in the village, but it’s perhaps better known for its bar and restaurant.
Six months after being taken over by the Paterson family, well-known in the village for being operators of the Findhorn Marina, and a line of businesses including North 58 Sea Adventures, ice cream outlet, the Captain’s Parlour, and shoreline cafe The Captain’s Parlour – yes they’re competing with themselves here.
But’s no bad thing, they’re getting your business wherever you eat, and if you like the ‘table’ then you’ll love the Crown and Anchor..
Of course, the chefs are different, but the quality and focus are the same. There’s a lot of seafood on both menus. I had a large herb-crusted fillet of salmon, with a selection of roast peppers, potatoes and onions – and a wedge of lemon.
Perfect portions
I hate leaving stuff on a plate, so not generally a fan of oversized portions, but this was perfect. it looked huge but it presented like the king of fish that it is, on a ‘throne’ of glazed vegetables. And as the lemon seeped between the flakes, which just eased away from each other and slipped down like, well like a fish. The glazed veggies did the same, and all helped with a Fentiman’s Ginger Beer – one of my favourite long drinks.
And the most important bit – a wedge of lemon. This transforms the taste of salmon, and to be fair, you’ll get it with most seafood dishes,
My wife had the lasagne – cooked like it should be, with a creamy sauce, soft pasta and tasty beef – she’s a safe eater! Perfectly cooked fries and a freshly cut salad. She finished it too.
She also had a sweet, loaded with strawberries, cream, and presumably sugar, but not a crumb left on the plate. I had a coffee, as I always do.
Let’s talk about the ambience. The restaurant was ‘peaceful’, There was some other chat from other tables which made it social, but not loud. I personally don’t like music while I’m eating, and I’m pleased to say there was none, or if there was, it was quiet enough to aid my digestion, not disrupt it.
It’s far enough from the bar to be a space of its own, there’s a nice light coming in from the windows, and a rustic feel to the whole place.
But I particularly want to leave a mention for the staff. Our server Jen was polite, welcoming and helpful. I asked questions about the provenance of the food and she knew it all. She told us about the chef and where he had worked before coming to the C&A.
Great food, great ambience, great staff. We’ll be back for sure.
