The Hamnavoe, Stromness

I first visited the Hamnavoe when I was here in 2018.  It is one of Orkney’s fine dining establishments, a peedie restaurant up a narrow wee close in Stromness.  It seemed like the perfect choice for this last evening: I could leave my car in the ferry’s parking lot, walk to the restaurant, have wine with my meal, head back to the car and drive 50 metres onto the ferry for the night.  (Scout dined on kibble from a bowl in the backseat while I was gone – she was not impressed.)

As usual, I got chatting with the wait staff as I placed my order: Orkney salmon to start with Prosecco, then Orkney beef with a Pinot Noir.  I rhapsodized over the gochujang salmon sashimi starter between courses, so the chef came out to deliver my main course personally.  Ox cheek with smoked garlic mash – equally rhapsody-worthy. When asked how my meal was going, I told the waitress this was turning out to be a delicious ‘last meal’.  Well, when the chef heard that this was my last day on Orkney, he comped me a glass of dessert wine (which I normally don’t have), which meant I had to order dessert (which I normally don’t have). Valrhona mousse with miso caramel sauce. OMG – what a finale to an amazing dinner. 

Thank God the car was parked right in front of the boat, and I only had to drive in a straight line to park onboard – let’s just say I slept well that night.