Baa, baa, black sheep

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After my dinner three nights ago, I couldn't get the yummy taste of lamb out of my mind.  I love gamey meats like lamb and mutton, and after my research on the Hebridean black-faced sheep - with their black faces, brown wool, sometimes two sets of horns - which also feed on seaweed during winter, I was more interested than ever.  I must go back and get me some more!

Last night I needed to have a quick dinner, and decided to revisit The Chinnery.  I was told that the restaurant was fully-booked so I got myself a seat at the bar.  David Sinclair from the Gleneagles was on hand, and I asked for one of his whisky mojito frappé again.  It's really very good, and David showed me the bitters he splashed onto the ice, which was actually aged in whisky barrels.  It does add some complexity to the flavors.  Glu-glu-glu...

The purpose of coming here was to have the lamb, so I ordered the lamb gigot chop, Hebridean black faced seaweed fed, roast onion, Macallan Fine Oak 12 year herb butter.  Unfortunately, this was the wrong lamb.  Absolutely wrong.  First of all, when you use the word "gigot", it usually mean the leg of lamb, as in "gigot d'agneau".  I therefore had a couple of images in my mind, of lamb chops or leg of lamb, both of which would be succulent and tender.  That wasn't what came on the plate.

I had asked for it to be done medium-rare, and unfortunately this boring-looking piece of lamb chop looked like a piece of fillet.  While some of it was still kinda pinkish, in reality this was a medium to medium-well piece of meat.  Starting to get a little tough and chewy.  That herbal butter on top was also completely unnecessary... and I don't care even if it was made with Macallan... but maybe it was there since the lamb was pretty tasteless.  Sigh... a complete waste of calories in my book, and at a 50% price premium to the lamb shoulder!  The mushrooms, vine tomatoes and the mash were nice, though.

David very kindly poured me a frozen shot of Johnnie Walker Gold Label.  It was spicy with just a hint of sweetness mid-palate and spicy on the finish.  Flavors were complex and woodsy.   He seems to really like freezing them!  I think it's an interesting take, except I was definitely able to smell the freezer as I held the shot glass to my nose, just like the other night...

No dessert for me, but I enjoyed a delicious caramel shortbread.  A round piece of shortbread, topped with a layer of soft caramel and covered entirely in chocolate.  How good is that?!

On my way out, David also kindly sent me off with a small packet.  It turned out to contain two pieces of short bread, which were classic and delicious.  Inhaled these at home...

As I was completely dissatisfied with the lamb, I immediately made a reservation to come back for lunch today.  Not wanting to dine alone again, I dragged my good friend Mr. Ho along since I know him to be a fan of delicious lamb.

No starter for me today, and no alcohol, either.  Straight to the seaweed fed lamb shoulder, thyme and honey roast roots.  Can I just say I love lamb?  This was awesome.  Succulent, full of lammy flavors, especially when you get to the tiny morsels of fat on the edges.  These dark-colored chunks of meat were simply heavenly.  And the different types of roots with mash were good, too.  I had to share this dish with a few others three nights ago, but there will be no sharing today... It was mine, all mine!  Muahahahaha!!!!

I was pretty satisifed with my main course, but gave in to temptation and ordered the butterscotch tart, ginger and vanilla custard.  While the two custards were delicious, they paled in comparison with the butterscotch.  I looooove butterscotch, caramel, toffee or anything along those lines.  This was just a little slice of heaven.  Soft and fluffy in the middle with a lightly caramelized top.  I wondered how I could take in another 4 slices of this without the calories...

There was a little piece of shortbread for us to finish the meal, along with our coffee.  A very satisfying lunch indeed... 

David Sinclair saw me again today, for the third time this week, and he must have thought I was either some obsessed looney, or I don't know where else to eat in this town!

At the end of my meal, Legolas Jr. a.k.a. Sous-Vide Monster walked in with his new friend.  I'm happy to report that he was impressed by the lamb shoulder, too, even though it wasn't cooked sous-vide.