FOOD REVIEW: Torrish Supper Club at Ness Walk in Inverness
If you are looking for an evening out, and wish to be wined and dined with exquisite food and drink within a tranquil setting, then look no further than Ness Walk. It has just reintroduced its Torrish Supper Club – a night where foodies can be taken on a culinary adventure through a variety of dishes, bringing the best of local produce together by an expert team.
Based on a different theme each month, the event sees guests being welcomed by the friendly Ness Walk staff with a glass of complimentary champagne on arrival. Guests are then taken table-by-table through to Ness Walk’s private dining room in anticipation for the main event to start. With low hums of jazz music in the background, and each table being appropriately set apart, it is an intimate affair for each guest within a community experience.
The first event returned on March 23 and was branded ‘meet the chef’ where Ness Walk’s new executive chef, Callum Phillip showcased his culinary talent over four mouth-watering courses.
Having been head-hunted from Cameron House in Loch Lomond, Callum is no stranger to fine-dining and he is the perfect addition to head up the five-star hotel’s food offering in Inverness.
The delicate first course of the evening, saw guests enjoy Callum’s play on a Mediterranean inspired ‘hot-dog’. The dish was a reinvention of the traditional snack, brought to life for a five-star experience, with intricate layers of fueille de brick (delicate wafer-thin pastry) and Ham Hock, accompanied by flavours of pickled jalapeños and piquillo pepper. With a crunchy layer of pork crackling, and the softness of the ham hock, the dish was as much a sensory experience as it was a palatable one.
Paired with a white wine – Rheingay Riesling Kabinett – the sweetness of the drink perfectly accompanied the sharp notes within the dish.
As the sun set over the fire-pit lit courtyard, the intermediate course was presented; a stunning example of softly prepared Lemon Sole from Scrabster. Inspired by Callum’s hometown of St Andrews, the soft buttery fish was married beautifully with a roasted chicken butter sauce. On the side, the perfectly balanced mixture of wild mushrooms, fresh pickled apple and warming macadamia was an elegant accompaniment. This second course was paired with a sprightly Italian white, boasting citrusy notes; a Passobianco from Terre Siciliane.
Callum’s international inspiration vividly brought the Highland Lamb main course dish alive. The lamb took centre stage with slow cooked shoulder sitting alongside a softly roasted lamb chop, served pink. It was partnered with a fragrant rose harissa ptitim (Israeli) couscous with pomegranate mint and tahini and coconut yoghurt. Callum was able to transport diners to lands far away, with a large glass of Bordeaux red wine in hand for the journey.
The grand finale, humbly named ‘chocolate’ on the menu, looked as exceptional as it tasted; a polished chocolate shell with a miso salted caramel and crunchy roasted peanuts texture and intrigue topped generously with lightly toasted Italian meringue. As the chocolate shell was cracked open, a chocolate mousse as smooth as velvet was revealed with a decadent rich dark chocolate sponge. The dessert wine was presented; Royal Tokaji – golden amber in colour with sweet caramel and honey notes.
With full stomachs and a bit of a wine buzz, guests were then given the treat of speaking to Callum about the inspiration behind his dishes, as he went table-to-table thanking the attendees.
Speaking about his first Torrish Supper Club experience, he said: “This was a fantastic first opportunity to show off the dishes from our new À La Carte Menu.
“Each of the dishes that featured tonight have gone through a rigorous process of taste testing and reviewing from the team so it is really exciting to see our guests enjoying the flavours”
“Having been at Ness Walk since February, I am really excited to be bringing a new dining experience to the city. We’re already planning our next event but I’m keeping the theme under wraps for a little longer”
The A La Carte menu is now on offer at Ness Walk, with the next Torrish Supper Club is set to be released in the coming weeks. If you want to be treated like royalty while enjoying the finest of city dining, get yourself booked in now!
