Harden's survey result
Summary
It’s “just a treat to stay and dine” at this 19th-century country-house hotel “in a secluded area and private bay”. It “has its formula and it works” – that formula being a vibe that’s “very Scottish baronial” plus a tasting menu that “leaves you time for conversation”, having “a manageable number of courses” (four or five) all showcasing an “emphasis on local ingredients”. Add in its impressive guestbook (Churchill and Eisenhower plotted the D-Day landings here, and it also features in Buchan’s adventure romp ‘The Thirty-Nine Steps’) and it’s “worth the extra two hours’ drive after turning off at Gretna” – though, if feeling lazy, one can also avail oneself of the helipad.
Summary
“A wonderful country-house hotel in a beautiful setting” whose place in the history books is anchored by Churchill and Eisenhower’s D-Day planning here and its inclusion in John Buchan’s ‘The 39 Steps’. Its place in this guide continues to be secured by its “superb food with regional produce” and “fortunately the chef has resisted the move to ever-increasing numbers of (ever-smaller) courses” while maintaining “an emphasis on excellent local ingredients”. “Some of the décor is very ‘Edwardian shooting lodge’ but the dining room is light and bright, particularly on a summer’s evening”.
Summary
“Galloway's finest” – this boutique hotel in an “idyllic location” takes full advantage of “local ingredients, fine fish, beef and lamb”, which are “sensitively and inventively prepared” by long-serving chef Tony Pierce, a pioneer of the now-commonplace tasting menu concept for almost 30 years. The Lodge has a secure place in both history (Churchill & Eisenhower planned D-Day here) and fiction (in John Buchan’s ‘The 39 Steps’). Top Tip: “stay over – breakfast is very good too”.
Summary
This history-packed boutique hotel makes good use of the larder on its doorstep (including its own kitchen garden), and long-serving chef Tony Pierce was a pioneer of tasting menus (four at lunch, five at dinner, changing daily) when he introduced the formula in 1995. The hotel featured in John Buchan’s classic novel ‘The 39 Steps’ and hosted the secret talks when Churchill & Eisenhower planned the D-Day landings.
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Have you eaten at Knockinaam Lodge?
Portpatrick, DG9 9AD
Restaurant details
Knockinaam Lodge Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Nice country-house hotel in a secluded area and private bay. We have been the only non-hotel guests dining that evening and the staff seemed at bit confused. We were ignored for quite a while when we had our drinks at the lounge. At the end, visit was enjoyable but felt a bit overpriced."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £42.00 |  |
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| Dinner | £80.00 | |
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| Drinks |
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| Wine per bottle | £26.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.50 |
| Extras |
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| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
Portpatrick, DG9 9AD
Opening hours
| Monday | 9 am‑10 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am‑10 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am‑10 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am‑10 pm |
| Friday | 9 am‑10 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am‑10 pm |
| Sunday | 9 am‑10 pm |
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