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Appearances can be deceiving. The Glass Pavilion in Dundee’s Broughty Ferry, only a few minutes south of Carnoustie certainly looks the part, a smart pavilion-style, Art-deco building overlooking the Tay Estuary. The website looks great as well showing smart, linen-covered tables, linen napkins and appetisingly presented dishes.

We visited for high tea (early dinner) on a Sunday afternoon and were seated at the front of the restaurant which was great for views across the water but with a glass roof we soon realised it was going to get very hot and asked to move - which we did.

My 11-year-old son has just had a dental brace fitted so we asked if it would be possible to prepare well-cooked Tagliatelle for him and couldn’t understand why we waited so long for his food to arrive after ours. Eventually I had to ask. It hadn’t been ordered! We started eating. My Monkfish with bacon & ratatouille was cold. It wasn’t that we’d been waiting that long; it just hadn’t been heated properly. They reheated it!

At the end of the meal, we asked for drinks for the children while we had coffee and tea and again my son’s failed to appear at all. Eventually our waitress informed us we wouldn’t have to pay for one round of drinks and that 10% would be deducted from the bill.

When it came time to pay it took an inordinate amount of time to get someone’s attention to ask for the bill.

The bottom line with the Glass Pavilion is it looks good from the outside, has a superb location but is seriously let down by the standards inside, table-décor, staff-training & awareness and last but not least - the food. (We saw no evidence of table linen by the way. Perhaps they only bring that out for special occasions or later in the evening – but I doubt it). None of us was impressed with the food – and it didn't come cheap. My Monkfish dish was £14.95 – certainly not worth it for quality, taste and presentation.

As with any business like this, if the staff are fully engaged and enthusiastic about what they’re doing - in the kitchen - at the tables - and overlooking the operation, everything would rise to a reasonable level. Our experience of The Glass Pavilion was a let-down on all the above counts - in spite of its appealing appearance.

We took the kids. None of us had done Japanese before. It was a complete hit with everyone. Ordering was a shot in the dark but I imagine most dishes are tasty. Exceptionally fresh and well prepared food, fast service and helpful waiting staff. It’s very busy and crowded but that’s part of the appeal. And here’s the clincher - for a family of 4 it was very reasonable. We’d go back rather than most other places in Glasgow.

Murcar doesn’t have the class of Royal Aberdeen but its still a good test once you get up onto the 4th. The clubhouse catering is particularly good, wide choice, all handmade by the looks and taste of it.

Location, Location - this is one of the best, a secluded Highland Perthshire valley, not much else around except stunning scenery and a delightful little 9-hole golf course. We had lunch which was a bit pricey for what it was (£46 for 2 adults and 2 kids) - chips seemed of the frozen variety. Dinner (2 AA Rosettes) which we’ll try next time should be better in terms of fine dining - but again I assume quite dear. Australian staff are good! Rooms, which we reviewed look nice - excellent antique furnishings. Seems pretty laid back generally.

Awe, come on, it’s a supermarket! Forfar must have some better places to go than Tesco.

Easily the best eaterie in Kirrie. Tends towards light but seriously tasty, innovative combinations. Amazing handmade cakes. And the best coffee in Angus.