Enjoy a Scottish meal at Cazenovia's Brae Loch Inn

Recently, Cazenovia's family-owned Brae Loch Inn celebrated their 63rd annual Robert Burns dinner, and the Scottish poet laureate's 249th birthday. You don't have to wait until next January to enjoy this Scottish inn -- they have a full restaurant menu all week, and a pub menu for simpler fare.

On a visit to the Brae Loch this weekend, we enjoyed an appetizer of Scotch Nachos, an overflowing plate of tortilla chips covered with melted cheddar and queso, as well as shredded chicken. And a Highland cheddar appetizer, Vermont cheddar baked in a pastry shell and served with a wonderfully tart berry sauce thick with whole berries. I've also really enjoyed the escargots appetizer, tender snails served piping hot with melted butter, garlic, and pine nuts.

A basket of bread for the table features warm, garlic-dusted bread as well as a delicious pumpkin bread.

Next I tried the Brae Loch's half pound burger, black angus beef served on a ciabatta roll that held up well to the burger. I added melted stilton to the lettuce and tomato, and found the fries to be perfectly hot and crisp.

The Flying Scot is tender roast duck served with a sweet pepper orange glaze... not to be confused with the Screaming Scotsman, a cocktail at the Brae Loch's full bar, featuring scotch whisky, butterscotch schnapps, and Bailey's.

There are a few vegetarian options on the menu, plus lots of seafood dishes. Plan on spending 10-30 dollars on your meal. Visit the Brae Loch Inn with a leisurely drive up Route 13 -- or take the quicker route and take 81 north to Lafayette and then 20 east to Cazenovia. Call 315-655-3431 or visit www.braelochinn.com, and tell them you heard about them here.