Cafe Circa in Doune is in beautiful Stirlingshire countryside and boasts a massive shopping area as its neighbour a few feet away as the Scottish Antiques and Arts Centre. If you are looking for a day out whether its raining , snowing or the sun shining then look no further as this place has it all. My sole intention today was to Assess the Baking for Cafe Circa but ended up having lunch before the marathon session of Cakes. Cafe Circa is a very welcoming , friendly and relaxed Restuarant type cafe with big wooden table and chairs and stone walls.
There is a wood burning centre piece in the middle of the restuarant which you can just picture in the dead of winter and beautiful pieces of Art displayed around the walls and sills. Anyhow i was served by a lovely bubbly and chatty man all dressed in black ( As were the rest of the staff ) and very knowledgeable about the food which was served here . You could tell before the food even arrived that this p[lace was well run. I ordered the Salmon Fishcakes and My associate ordered The Fresh Fish and Chips . Both dishes were served with a homemade tatrtare sauce in a lovely scallop shell and a basket of chips .
The lovely salad was one of the best salads i have eaten , just full of so many different types of fruit and vegetables and cut in long spirals with a lovely dressing. For dessert i had Chocolate Brownie served with little hot marshmallows and icecream. Again Homemade and one of the best i have eaten - truly decadent . My associate had a Highland sticky toffe sponge with ice cream - light as a feather and all you would ask for in a fresh homemade pudding.
What i loved about Cafe Circa was the owners hands on approach which is evident in everything about the place. The staff are always more clued up and attentive when the owners are working and have a presence. There is passion and care put into the food that was prepared and served. Customer service and great Homecooking at a great price is not achievable in Chain type restuarants and thats why places like this will go from strength to strength . I dont know how many times i have eaten in 4 or 5 star restuarants that cant make desserts like the ones i ate today . But dont spend all your money in this Restaurant as right across the pavement is one of the best shopping experiences around ( Purse emptied in less than an hour) . This is a day out so go on and spoil yourself at this suberb Centre and eat the best food around without it hurting your wallet. Slainte
