Time for the annual MoT and I don’t mean the Buick.

I was due at the doc’s for my ‘well man’ check-up, so I had to think of a scran spot that would err on the tasty, but healthier side.
No chip shops or greasy spoons this time – well at least until I get the thumbs-up from the medic man.
I thought a bit of country air would be good for the health kick, so I told Toots to get ready for a trip out of town.
She waltzed down the ’Tec Towers staircase looking like
a reject from a Downton Abbey shooting party - complete with her trademark heels.
It couldn’t have been a worse day and after three shunts
on the road to the restaurant,
I thought the food better be worth it.
We pulled up at the Loch House in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire. It had splendid views, and a tranquil loch
– there was even a rainbow in the sky to greet us, a touch of magic for Toots.
We walked in to a warm and bright atmosphere and the smell from the carvery hit me. But with my thoughts on my blood pressure measure, it was just to tempt and tease me.
Country bumpkin Toots and
I were seated near the window and left to look at the extensive menu. I was getting a headache with all the choice and feared it might take an eternity for the little lady to make her mind up.
We ordered drinks, but there was no Merlot or Pinot Grigio for me. I was on Cokes ahead of my meeting with the quack. To keep me company, The Moll stuck to the soda and limes.
Toots was looking to spice up her afternoon, so we opted to share the nachos, which sounded delicious.
For the main event I went straight for the macaroni cheese with garlic bread. Toots couldn’t decide between the salmon or the chicken. After a few more minutes deliberating and staff dancing around us waiting to take our order, she opted for the chicken supreme, or Chicken Darrach, as it was called in this classy joint.
Our server was quick to take our order and we sat back
and relaxed. My tummy was anticipating a feast and I was ready to make a move on the shared nachos.
The starter quickly arrived and, although I love my food, even I had to admit it was a good job we shared the nachos. It was a generous portion with plenty of melted cheese, sour cream and Jalapeno peppers on the side. A few of those strong little buddies had my eyes watering and it was a good job the Coke was to hand.
Spice-lover The Moll, however, polished hers lots off without even a slight wince.
There wasn’t much of a wait before our main dishes arrived. My peepers had a welcome sight of piping hot macaroni and cheese topped with bacon. It smelled divine and tasted
even better than it looked.
It was smooth and creamy and the garlic bread on the side was just the ticket. It might have been a carb overload and full of calorific cheese, but it tasted mighty fine.
But The Moll seemed to be struggling a bit. Her chicken Darrach stuffed with haggis looked the part. While it was beautifully presented, much like Toots herself, it was a bit bland on the old taste buds.
I piped up, ‘It’s chick supreme, doll, you can’t expect a fiery feast’. She drew me an icy stair.
The tender chicken and haggis was going down well,  but the creamy leak sauce and rice wasn’t doing much for The Moll. Even the mashed potato side order got only a slight thumbs-up.
It was all washed down with another soft drink.
We passed on pudding, which weighed in over the £5 mark and I didn’t think any cheesecake would be worth that – even one from New York!
The bill came in and we were quids in. At about £35 it seemed pretty reasonable considering there was no booze – which is the kind of treat the doctor would have ordered.

THE LOCH HOUSE, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch, PA12 4JF

Tel: 01505 843848