Eating well in Scotland: The Letterbox, Newtonmore

The Letterbox, Main Street, Newtonmore 

Last week we had a very enjoyable return visit to The Letterbox Restaurant in Newtonmore. The restaurant opened in 2010.  

It was good to see that it was busy. We started with a glass of South African Chenin Blanc while we considered our choices. Three of us opted for the two course evening menu – starter and main course – for £16.95.  

First courses: 

I choose the tasty mackerel paté, while the others went for the chicken mousse – also tasty, well made and generous portions.       

 Mackerel paté with a salad and oak cakes 

 Apricot, asparagus and chicken mousse 

Main courses: 

Our three choices of main courses 

 

 Plaice fillets in a cream sauce with samphire, 

carrots and new potatoes

– off the a la carte specials menu

 A rich and very good venison stew with haggis dumplings

 Meat balls with tagliatelle: another rich and copious dish

 2014 Fleurie, Cru du Beaujolais, Patrick Chodot

Fleurie from a good vintage which partnered even the rich dishes well

 Profiteroles with a cream filling 

Créme Brulée with apricot and vanilla

We have had several meals at The Letterbox and have always been impressed, so am happy to recommend this restaurant. I do wonder, however, at the wide range of dishes offered in a restaurant that has space for a maximum of just over 30 covers. On the set dinner menu there are five choices of starter and main course. The à la carte menu has a big choice and then there is a specials board with five starters and five mains. It is difficult to see how this makes economic sense.