Restaurant review: Loch Fyne

Where I ate:

Loch Fyne, Duke Street, Ipswich

I’ve been to Loch Fyne a few times and it is yet to disappoint. The atmosphere is always really good and even when it’s really busy, the service doesn’t suffer. The menu is extensive and I’m forever changing my mind – there’s just too much to choose from. I wish I could go more regularly, as by the next time I go, the menu changes. Last time I had the most Thai green curry and while I wouldn’t have had it this time round, I was disappointed to see it had been replaced by something else. Inside is always really cosy, with candlelit tables and the tables aren’t too close together – which is where so many places go wrong; there’s nothing worse than sitting on top of the couple next to you.

On this occasion, I was driving, so missed out on a glass (or two) of vino. It was strictly sparkling water.

What I ate:

Yellow fin tuna with king prawns, clams, egg noodles, pak choi, red chilli & chilli marmalade

There were a number of dishes I couldn’t choose between (including a couple of starters I’d have order with a side salad) and in the end I opted for the tuna – which was the first thing I spotted; isn’t it funny we always go back to the first thing we see?

The waitress advised me the tuna would be served pink, as though I didn’t know – I get the feeling looking back, she probably thought I thought it’d be yellow (!); oh dear. When it arrived, it didn’t disappoint: beautifully presented, the array of inviting colours and ample seafood.

Not being a fan of spicy food, I was hoping the chilli would be sweet, but how wrong I was. The chopped chilli on its own would have been more than enough, but the chilli marmalade was fierier – with a very bitter citrus aftertaste. While I still think I made a good choice, there were so many other dishes I wanted to try and I wonder how they’d have compared.

One thing that irked me somewhat (sidenote here) was the spelling on the specials chalkboards. I have never seen ‘mussles’ spelt that was before – surely somebody must know how to spell, or at least acknowledge the fact it’s incorrect. Other than that, I had another fab evening at Loch Fyne, with excellent service and wonderful food. I’m already anticipating my next meal!