IT'S not just a restaurant you know... The bar at the Scotsbridge is rather nice. Lots of rustic brickwork, rich wood surfaces and a nice, airy conservatory in which to soak up the sun.

The signboard outside makes much of the riverside setting but from the bar the river's not too obvious. Never mind.

Barflies like me may feel a little conspicuous standing to drink; everyone its, and most people eat too. The food must be good.

You can get a chilli jacket for £4.15, burger and chips for £4.95, and what looked like an impressive sausage and mash for £8.95. Is that dear, or what? The menu, as you would expect, is extensive.

There's no Guinness, but Murphy's is fine. Cider is £2.35 a pint. There is a Boddingtons and Pedigree. Top lager is Stella, also refreshingly expensive.

Like whisky? This place has whisky galore. I counted 15 different bottles to choose from. Nestled between the Bells, Grants and Jamesons, I spied some very tempting malts - Lagavulin (16 years old), Cragganmore (12 years old), and Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie and Talisker (all the ten).

On my visit the place was full, but hardly rocking; dare I say the regulars are "young seniors" - cardigan, twin set, pearls - get my drift?

Nonetheless, a nice place to eat and a nice place to sit and drink. I'll be back when I have more time to work my way through those whiskies.

June 17, 2002 17:30