The Chop and Ale House
The Chop and Ale House is an entirely separate operation from the restaurant. Housed away from the main building in what was once the Inn's public bar, it has all the unpretentious homely atmosphere of a Lowland Bothy. With its own brigade at the grill and a friendly team of waiters and waitresses, it caters for people in need of a more simple and speedier meal.
With the quality of the fresh food and the enthusiasm of the staff in every respect the same as the more leisurely restaurant, it is not surprising that the Chop House is always full to bursting. The prices may be less but the experience is in every respect equally satisfying. The Champany Burger, for example, will open the eyes and explode the taste buds of anyone whose experience of the true culinary delights have been limited to the fast and gristle pates of American influenced fast-food joints. The Champany Burgers are made from the same quality beef that provides the restaurant steaks. They are course minced and hand made into plump hamburgers of size and substance. Cooked medium rare, they have all the flavour of Scotch steak enhanced by a choice of toppings which include a Mexican - with chili, tomatoes and onions; Blue Cheese which are topped with Stilton, and a traditional pepper sauce.
The Chop House serves a wide range of Aberdeen Angus steaks, but the Scottish lamb chops from the best end of the neck, cooked pink in continental style, are quite delicious. Lovers of that good old British stand-by - fish and chips - are in for a treat. North Sea cod, coated in home made batter, deep fried and served with man sized chips are a delight - even if they are served on plates and not in newspapers!
The Chop House has a mouth watering choice of starters which include marinated herring fillets served with creme fraiche or chicken tikka.
It takes a true trencherman to work his way through to the sweets. But if you can make it that far you should make the effort to sample either the home made hot malted waffles with maple syrup and whipped cream, or the Champany Cheesecake.
Draught Belhaven ale and lager are available, together with an attractively priced range of excellent Champany Label South African Wines. The Cape Red goes well with a steak, the spicy Shiraz with the burgers, while the soft Pinotage is a delight with the lamb chops.