][1]Did anyone else see the story about the Dorset beach hut which is for sale at a cool £200,000?
Now the 5pm restaurant blog likes to be beside the seaside as much as the next salty old seadog but we draw the line at coughing up 200 big ones for the privilege.
Scottish seafood
Fortunately, you don’t need to be carrying that sort of dough to get a taste of the sea. As part of 5pm’s holiday at home summer theme, here is a list of personal favourites that can deliver cracking seafood or a waterside location.
You can see the full selection of 5pm’s seafood restaurants from here.
First up, we have Mithas which can be found in the suitably maritime location of Leith. This swish Indian has twice won the Indian Restaurant of the Year prize at the Scottish Restaurant Awards and it’s really pushing the envelope of Indian food in Scotland. Try their crab kebab or the lobster cooked with a delicate honey and spice flavour.
][7]Sticking with Edinburgh, I had a great lunch at Cafe Fish on North West Circus Place a few months ago. The restaurant has twice been a finalist in the seafood category of the Scottish Restaurant Awards and it took down the prize in 2012. I can vouch for the Bengali cod cakes with a lime and coriander mayo.
Glasgow seafood restaurants
In Glasgow, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to splendid seafood restaurants. Of the four Two Fat Ladies restaurants, I like the charming Victorian decor of Two Fat Ladies at the Buttery. With a current rating of 4.7/5, it is one of the highest rated restaurants on the 5pm site.
If you are in the mood for more contemporary surroundings then Gandolfi Fish in the Merchant City should hit the spot. Their sample menu is an enticing mix of global influences like the hot and sour baked monkfish served with chapatti pilau rice and cucumber raita.
][11]Naturally, it would be daft to have a list of Scottish seafood restaurants without taking a trip up the West Coast.
For spectacular sunset views over the islands and a refined take on the best Scottish seafood then you will be hard pressed to do better than Airds Hotel at Port Appin. I would like the seared tranche of Gigha halibut with leek purée, shrimp gratin and a truffle dressing, please.
For more casual bites, set sail for The Creagan Inn on Loch Creran. Sitting on the decking, looking out for otters and tucking into a plateful of king scallops from Mull sounds pretty close to perfection.