Tuesday 16 July 2013

The Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye

"The Three Chimneys is the French Laundry of Scotland, luring food-loving pilgrims from near and far, a destination in its own right. And it is was precisely the restaurant I was hoping for, one that can't be replicated outside Scotland."

So said Frank Bruni in an article in the New York Times in 2008.

I was unaware of this critique/restaurant until I casually mentioned to a friend in my Pilates class that my husband and I were going to Finland and Scotland in July.

"Oh, you must go to this wonderful restaurant in Scotland. Chimney-Something. I hope it is still there," she said.

A quick Google search and an email reservation request confirmed that The Three Chimneys was still around and doing quite well. The only options available for a Wednesday night, even with three weeks notice, were a 9:45 pm seating or a spot at the Kitchen Table for a 7-course dinner.

Guess what we chose?


Sitting out in the middle of nowhere, this upscale restaurant is surrounded by a folk museum (below is the admission 'hut' where you buy a ticket using the honor system).



And parking space, out front, with an incredible view.



Pre-dinner drinks are served in the reception room around the back and the whisky is plentiful.



At 7:30 pm, we were escorted back in through the front door. We walked by the smartly dressed couples at elegant tables, pushed through the swinging door (that separates the front of the house), glided by the busy kitchen staff, and pulled up a chair at our table for eight.

Two of us.

Six strangers.

We spent 5 hours, yes, FIVE HOURS, in the kitchen at a big wooden table and we were allowed, heck, invited to stroll around and ask questions, peer into pots and have ourselves a good time.

And we did, oh, did we ever.

At three separate intervals, the chef asked for volunteers so I hopped up to style the food for a fish course and yell loudly for 'service' when it was complete. Later I jumped up to whisk eggs in a copper bowl, by hand, for the soufflés. So much fun. Our table was filled with two delightful couples from Philadelphia, traveling together after bidding on this event at an auction. Another fun couple from Toronto, who went on 6-8 hour hikes during the day and then splurged on fabulous meals, sat across from us.

Such a pretty seal on the menu!


Ok, let's eat...


Loch Dunvegan Langoustines with Tattie Scones & Bridget's Organic Mesclun


Colbost Skink, Marag Dubh & Talisker Crumb, Local Croft Egg Yolk

Vol au Vent of Loch Bracadale Crab
Blackface Haggis Pasty with Anthony's Vegetables

Loch Harport Oysters

This is the course I volunteered to 'plate'. The sous chef filled the bowl with crushed coral from the local beach and added the scallop shell while the three of us who 'helped' got to spoon the three sauces. Amazing combination of flavors - who would think to pair a gingerbread cookie with a pan-fried scallop on a bed of asparagus and rhubarb?


Sconser King Scallop with Gingerbread Crust, Asparagus & Rhubarb

A few guys at our table volunteered to plate this dish...so there was some good-hearted ribbing about the number of cherries (and how they were not divided evenly) and the, well, the aesthetic aspect.

Saddle of Haunch of Lochalsh Venison with Bacon, Curly Kale & Cherries

Three Chimneys Hot Marmalade Pudding Souffle with Drambuie Syrup & Mealie Ice Cream


Such a FEAST.

And sprinkled between those courses was a small bowl of gazpacho, a cheese plate and fresh breads.

The last thing I tasted was a chocolate coconut truffle.

It was D I V I N E.

So to sum it up.

We talked. We laughed. We ate. We drank. We watched. We learned. We cooked. We were surprised to look over and realize that that kitchen was cleaned up and many of the staff members had left. Of course, by then, it was after midnight and time to head out.

One of those once-in-a-lifetime evenings!

Here are a few shots from the kitchen.




Chef Michael Smith talking to our group.


Ooops, cherry sauce went flying during the plating of the venison course.
No worries, my husband's shoes now have a souvenir of our great dinner!



Chef Michael Smith was working with a relatively new staff (approx. 3 months on the job) and most came with no culinary training -- which makes the meal just that much more impressive!

He also told us that having the Kitchen Table was really important to him --- a chance to show visitors what was going on behind the scenes and also a way for the kitchen staff to interact with the guests. The chefs are usually behind closed doors and don't get to hear all the comments, compliments and excitement from the diners.






7 comments:

  1. Lori, this is the most perfect place for you! Good old Edie! Haggis? Did you eat haggis???

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  2. I sure did! It was all dressed up in pastry and I tried not to think about what was in it.

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  3. Can't believe they allowed wine on your table while you were "working." The kitchen looks spotless. What a priceless experience.

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  4. This is absolutely incredible! What a perfect Lori experience! I know your bubbly presence made this memorable for everyone else as well. Now I need to catch up on your other posts!

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  5. Lovely to read of the wonderful time you had at the Three Chimneys..Michael's Kitchen Table is a terrific idea. I blog on Skye and the 3Cs feature often, partly because I live in the same road as the 3Cs accommodation but also because we are involved in the FlySkye campaign to restore our air link with the mainland. Please follow for weekly updates: http://skyeblogdotme.wordpress.com/
    We hope you'll be back! Best wishes.

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    1. Thanks so much for the mention and how lucky you are to live in such an extraordinary place! We loved Scotland and were charmed by everything we did and saw on the Isle of Skye.

      Fun gossip about the Hebridean Princess on your blog - do let us all know if there is a Brad Pitt sighting, ok!

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  6. You are mentioned!http://skyeblogdotme.wordpress.com/2013/07/30/cuillin-confusion-on-skye/

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