Review by S Atkinson on 25th September, 2009

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We were recommended to visit the Pierhead Tavern by the friendly owner of an excellent campsite in the south of Arran. With great expectations we headed off to Lamlash. I walked into the bar to enquire if reservations were required for a table in the restaurant, it was around 5pm and with two young children in tow an early table would have been prefereable. The gentleman's abrupt response to my enquiry was "well, if you're expecting to eat here tonight you will" I'd probably have been wise to abandon things at that point, instead of which I booked a table for later. We arrived at 6 and sat down, a friendly waiter took our drinks order, although we were not able to have the advertised large glasses of wine because "the last one just got broken". The food order, my wife who has an intollerance to Gluten (coeliacs disease) asked the waiter if the Haddock on the menu was pre-battered? he replied that it wasn't. My wife then asked for a piece of grilled or poached Haddock, the waiter left to ask the kitchen's advice. He returned to tell us that no, my wife couldn't have grilled or poached Haddock. My wife explained that the fish can be poached in a microwave (with water) in about 2 minutes, no that couldn't be done. The table was then visited by a young lady who was, we assumed, the manager, or the chef. She asked what the problem was. My wife explained. The manageresses response " we are fully booked (there was one other table occupied) and we can't go doing specials, why not eat meat instead" My wife - " I dont want to eat meat" M - " you're vegetarian then?" W - " i didn't say that, I'd just like the fish please" M - "have salad" W - I don't want a salad - the fish?" M - " well, I take it as an insult that you come in here and ask us to poach you a piece of fish like this - I'm tempted to ask you to leave...in fact, you CAN leave (clears our places) NOW " Utterly astonished we rise to leave, our two children very upset by this extraordinary show of agression from the woman. As we walk away the manageress tells the waiter to get our bill for the so far undrunk drinks on the table. We left. We understand from another diner that night that She then spent the next half hour in the kitchen ranting at the audacity of my wife's poaching request,at a suficient volume for the rest of the diners to hear. In conclusion, avoid this Tavern like the plague, if you do go, for goodness sake don't ask for anything different. Basil Fawlty is alive and well on the Isle of Arran.

Date visited: 19th September 2009