Brae Loch Inn

This was our worst restaurant experience in quite a while, and we were very disappointed. We travel around central New York trying different places, but service and food were poor throughout the evening. We waited about 10 minutes for water and drink orders, then had to wait again for the server to come back. Both French onion soups were so salty the women couldn’t eat them; she said they were having trouble with the soups that night. The dinners were disappointing too. My Guinness steak pie had good flavor, but the meat was dry and there was hardly any gravy. My wife’s stroganoff had very little beef and was like mac and cheese. She didn’t tell me how bad it was until we’d left because she knew I’d refuse to pay for it. My friend said his open-faced strip steak was like bad lunch meat, though he liked the fries. His wife wondered where the lobster was in her lobster mac and cheese. We rarely saw our server. When I asked for water, she brought some but left the other glasses empty, so we had to ask again with the check. That’s also when I realized our haggis never arrived, too late to do anything about it. With more attentive service, we might have ordered more drinks or dessert, but we’d had enough. I would’ve raised it with the owners, but my companions didn’t want to make a scene.

We’ve eaten at The Brae Loch many times and usually enjoyed it, so this last visit was a shame. My husband’s steak was completely rare, and I never got a call back after calling to speak with someone. My steak “pie” was supposed to have a crust, but came with a strange puff pastry that was hard to eat with the rest of the dish. I gave up on it, and saw others with the same meal had left theirs too. The smoked salmon appetizer seemed to have sat out for a long time, with chewy baguette and rubbery salmon. The downstairs room was cozy, but dated, dark, and cramped. Maybe it’s better in summer, on a particular night, or away from the holidays.

We came to the Brae Loch Inn Restaurant for Valentine's Day dinner, returning to the same Brae Loch where we held our rehearsal dinner 48 years ago. It still feels like a unique Scottish-themed place untouched by time. Our meal was excellent, and Chauna served us with outstanding professionalism. The atmosphere made the evening one we’ll never forget. I’d recommend the Brae Loch for any occasion.

There’s a cozy bar, lounge, and formal dining area, and live music is often on. The Brae Loch has a warm, inviting feel and a strong appreciation for history. The food is delightful and well prepared, and I especially recommend the duck and steak. The menu clearly marks several vegan and GF choices. Service is always a home run. A must visit!