Stirling

Now, Geordie JT is the only person I know who doesn't like Gloagburn; it's too expensive, she says, "and I don't like queueing for me dinner". Personally I think that's a good sign, but you can't please everyone. She recommends Destiny at Perth Airport for cake, so I'll need to give that a try sometime. Watch this space.

She also recommends a certain restaurant beginning with Z in central Stirling. My dear friend HC had one of the worst meals of her life (and she's had a few stinkers) there last November. It was an interesting evening. We were having our regular rendevous in Stirling for the purposes of shopping and eating (yes, I know it's not exactly a heaving metropolis bursting at the seams with cool trendy shops and eateries but it's better than Perth).

We decide to forego our usual meal at the Barnton Bistro (more on that later) in favour of pancakes and coffee there in the afternoon and dinner somewhere else - somewhere new and exciting! With hindsight this was what is often referred to as 'a bad idea'. Come 6pm we start a long trawl of the mean streets of Stirling town centre for somewhere - anywhere - half-decent and relatively inexpensive.

To our dismay we quickly realise that this doesn't exist in Stirling town centre and that's why there's a queue out the door of the Filling Station. We actually consider joining this queue but I have to catch the last Park and Ride bus at 8pm so we decide to try this slightly posh-looking place along the road. At least it has free tables and a couple of veggie options.

Alas, the veggie option ordered by HC turns out to be one of the most unappetising-looking plates of food I've ever seen and she's ever tasted. It is, according to the menu, the Creole dish 'Jambalaya'. Unfortunately on this occasion cooked by someone who had never tasted and never seen Jambalaya before.

It arrives without any fuss or garnish - just a massive bowl full of watery rice with chopped tomatoes and green peppers through it. And HC doesn't like green peppers. And it's costing her £9. Oh dear. "I wish I'd ordered what you did", she says (burger and chips - not bad).

Now, HC's not backward at coming forward when asked by a waiter if everything's alright with her meal. Cue a lot of apologising by the (very sweet) young waiter (waiting staff always seem to be dead nice in Stirling, especially the young men), trips back and forth to the kitchen and offers of another main course, free coffees and desserts. But as we were pushed for time we pass. Regardless, he appears with a rose flavoured panacotta and asks us to try it for him and see what we think. Aww, ok then. And it's not bad, although we inform him it could be a lot more rose-flavoured.

Oh, I bet he was glad to see the back of us. So, it's probably an OK place - just don't order the Jambalaya. And we might even be back since it's one of the few options left now that the Barnton Bistro has CLOSED DOWN! I'm sorry, but why does this always happen? You discover a place which is cheap and does the best veggie burgers and breakfasts you've ever had (the fried eggs were always bang on), and then it goes and shuts down! It was such a nice wee hang-out and now it's gone. Bollocks.

FUFF x