New food range named after church benefactor.
Little’s Restaurant has just celebrated two years in its new location of the former Riverside Methodist Church at Rattray, Blairgowrie. Now it has once again used the fascinating history of the building as inspiration for the latest launch – a new range of tasty bar snacks and meals, to be named Borrie’s Bar Menu.
When he first moved into the converted Church, Chef/proprietor Willie Little created a cosy bar area, complete with a log burning stove, which he named Borrie’s Bar, after David Borrie, the Dundonian born boot and shoemaker who was the Church’s benefactor.
Borrie left money in his will stipulating that it should be used to build a Methodist Church in the town. The Church was then built and consecrated in 1887.
Now Willie has “Borries Burger” on the new bar snack menu, along with taster platters, mussels, battered squid, and vegetarian choices including goats cheese & beetroot, and baked aubergine.
Willie Little said: “The Borries have had a huge influence on Blairgowrie.
“Even today there are properties in the town that their modern day descendants still own, and Rosebank House, which is now a B&B, was the first Manse for this Church. The properties in the town were built to be let out, providing an income which Borrie later left in his will to fund the building of the Church.
“Although he was a member of a local Reform Church during his lifetime, it was Borrie’s wife who developed Methodist leanings, and it is thought she wanted her home town to have a Methodist Church established.”
“There’s no getting away from history in a building like this,” added Willie, “and as we have been here two very successful years now we thought it was time to introduce some casual dining choices in the Bar which we very much hope our customers enjoy, as they can be eaten for lunch or dinner.”
Little’s Restaurant is also celebrating being nominated once again for Restaurant of the Year in the Courier Menu Food & Drink Awards, having been Runner Up last year.
“Hopefully this year we can go one better and win,” said Willie. “I am sure Mr & Mrs Borrie would approve!”
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