The Ship Inn: One of Ayrshire’s oldest pubs, which traces its roots to the 16th century, has had many incarnations over the years. In the hands of the Murray family for the last 25 it has been serving up gastro delights with a few signature dishes in a lovely maritime setting.
The harbourside in Irvine was gentrified a generation ago and the Ship is one of the jewels in its crown sitting alongside the popular exhibition space and venue, the Harbour Arts Centre.
From father to sons, the Ship was formerly known for its wee bowls of side dishes, baby potatoes, mash, mushy peas and veggies al dente. However, health and safety weighed in a few years ago, concerned about the waste, and insisted the Murray brothers curtailed their excesses.
Comfortingly, all of the above are still available as sides on the menu for a mere few pounds and it’s always a good incentive for patrons to eat up if they are paying for extras.
Other changes to the Ship’s repertoire include the addition of burgers and chips to the menu – a no, no when Mr Murray senior was the patron.
Robert Burns lived in Irvine in 1781 and 1782 and no doubt the Ship, then a male dominated maritime drinking haunt, would have been favoured by the Bard and his affiliates.
The décor stays true to the history of this hostelry with ropes and anchors in abundance and maritime memorabilia, including sepia-toned portraits of seafarers.
Signature dishes include the Murrays’ famed steak pies served in pottery dishes – ashets as we used to call them in Burns country, with a “wee wan” costing £11.25 and a “big wan” £13.95.
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‘Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it, But we hae meat and we can eat, And sae the Lord be thankit’ – Robert Burns
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Another favourite consists of a breast of chicken stuffed with garlic cream cheese, wrapped in pastry with orange flavoured gravy, creamy mash potato & vegetables. This is a very rich flavour sensation.
On this lunching occasion, however, we opted for the chicken liver pate, followed by posh bangers and mash.
Service could have been a little more attentive as a large and loud family grouping at the table next to my mother and I kept hijacking the staff. Pirates!
When the chicken liver pate arrived with oat cakes and salad garnish, it was a very generous portion. However, it was lacking in flavour. Our server explained that due to demand it is now outsourced rather than made in-house, a great pity.
The bangers and mash were exceptional – about the best I’ve ever tasted – for £9.50 a real man-sized portion of perfect quality pork & leek sausages, served on creamy mash potato with onion gravy.
The mash was mouth-wateringly good and the onion gravy flavoursome – I know many men who would have licked the plate, and the Chantilly carrots and mange-tout were al dente perfection.
Following the pate debacle our now attentive servers asked if we would like a complimentary dessert – well how could we refuse?
We opted to share a portion of caramel apple pie on the menu at £4.95, with the option of ice-cream rather than custard.
Well, this too was sensational and a perfect combination of great quality fruit and pastry. The caramel drizzle was exquisite – a great hot and cold contrast with the lovely vanilla ice-cream. This turned into a true spoon fight.
Rabbie was right: we can eat. Now looking fur a wee sewing lady to let oot the waistlines!
Ratings
Menu: 7/10
Value for money: 6/10
Service: 6/10
Ambience: 7/10
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