There’s places you go to for food and then there are foodie destinations, places you travel to for food. One such place that needs to be on your foodie destination list this year is the Dipping Lugger in Ullapool. It’s a fine dining establishment with a tasting menu in Wester Ross, the Scottish Highlands.

The Dipping Lugger also has rooms. I was only here for dinner but the rave reviews mention that the rooms are as special as the food!

REVIEW OF THE TASTING MENU AT THE DIPPING LUGGER, ULLAPOOL - a FOODIE DESTINATION

Located just along from the Ferry Terminal, the Dipping Lugger is found in a stand alone house, set back from the walkway. It’s very unassuming so I’m forgiving myself for walking straight past it although I wish I hadn’t as it was pouring with rain. Nonetheless, the very warm welcome from Calum on arrival was worth it and we were soon ushered into the warm and cosy room to a charming table in the corner ready for dinner.

Their menu is a tasting menu where all diners are served at relatively the same time. So don’t be late otherwise you hold everyone up!

The 7 course Tasting Menu is created by Head Chef David Smith, and showcases some of the fantastic produce that surrounds Ullapool including seafood.

The Tasting Menu is £95pp with wine pairing an additional £60pp.

We started off with SNACKS to whet our appetite which was paired with the Manzanilla Pasada En Rama Xixarito Sherry. An unusual start with the sherry certainly contrasting sharply against the savouriness of the madeliene.

Then came HAY and the most incredible bread boule I have ever eaten. We were still talking about the bread the following day!

SCALLOP was paired with the Colliore Blanc, Clos de Paulilles

The first dish showcasing Scottish Seafood and it was incredible. Silky smooth, delicately cooked, scallop in a deep umami broth. Sublime! The wine was quite spicy and minerally, a nice change from the very dry sherry.

BROSE was paired with the Le Cigare Blanc, Bonny Doon.

Brose is oatmeal or porridge. I loved this dish. It was hearty and savoury but slightly sweet too. Lots of little pieces that somehow individually held a flavour but combined into one mouthful brought another flavour punch. The wine was quite robust and vibrant with big bursts of fruit especially pineapple and mango. A complete contrast to the rather earthiness of this dish. It worked though

SALMON was paired with the Txakolina, Adur.

Another beautiful slice of Scottish seafood. The salmon was delicate and so pretty in pink. For the wine we move from USA to Spain and this Spanish wine brings with it saline and delicate citrus notes which pair perfectly with the oiliness and freshness of the fish.

DEER was paired with the Seleccion Especial, Abadia Retuerta

You all know by now that I am a sucker for venison and this was a slice of foodie heaven! Perfectly pink and succulent. I don’t think I uttered one word whilst eating this! The big red wine accompanying this was young with juicy blackberries, plums and figs with a little spice in the background. My favourite course and pairing! I could easily have eaten a few more slices and drank the bottle.

EDEN IVORY CHEESE paired with Colheita, wuinta do Crasto

Another few mouthfuls of exceptional yumminess. Creamy and crunchy textures washed down with port. Lots going on in the glass - honey, nuts, spice and orange peel which brilliantly made the cheese sing and dance a little on the tongue. Excellent pairing.

STRAWBERRY paired with Capitelli, Asnselmi

Whether is was deconstructed or constructed to be so, dessert was delightfully light, and just how a meal should end. Little bursts of flavours of strawberry repeatedly popping in your mouth with contrasting textures. The dessert wine brought a gorgeous silky mouthfeel with so many contrasting flavours from tropical fruit and stone fruit to subtle smoke.

Chef David Smith skills and knowledge shines through in this menu. His use of local Scottish ingredients is admirable and he certainly knows how to create beautiful dishes that not only delight the eyes but also the tastebuds.

Calum and his team are wonderful hosts and seamlessly weave in and out of the dining room delivering dish after dish, glass after glass with humour, great banter and always a smile.

With the Dipping Lugger located in the Scottish Highlands, Ullapool, it is seasonal opening hours so do check availability not only at the restaurant but also accommodation. Currently, the Dipping Lugger reopens the 10th February 2023 and they are only open Thursday to Sunday for dinner at 7pm and Friday to Sunday with lunch at 1230pm.

Recommendations on where to stay

• The Dipping Lugger

• The Caledonian - read my review here

• The Riverside - review to come

THINGS TO NOTE

• This is a tasting menu restaurant. There is no A la Carte

• They do not cater for vegan, dairy free or gluten free diets

• They are not dog friendly

• They have disabled access as the restaurant is ground level throughout but do let them know beforehand so that they can seat you at the best possible table. The restaurant is small and seats approx 20 people

• Their opening times and they only have one sitting time for lunch or dinner

• Don’t be late!

The Dipping Lugger, Ullapool, Wester Ross, IV26 2UR www.thedippinglugger.co.uk/

My Spoon Award : Gold 9/10