Welcome to Table Talk
When we first opened Ardallan Kitchen in June 2022, we had no idea just how much it would grow. What began as a small bistro—just me in the kitchen—has become something far bigger. It’s more than a place to eat; it’s a place filled with memories, not just ours, but those of our customers and community.
Our building has a story of its own. Ardallan has stood for 177 years, built in 1847. When you live in a house like this, you realise you’re not its owner—you’re just looking after it for the next generation. We are only the fourth family to live here, and sometimes it feels like the past lingers in the walls, watching over us. I like to think they’d approve of how we’ve made this place our home, opening the gates to welcome others in to share it with us.
Over the past few years, countless customers have shared their own connections to this house. Some remember visiting the families who lived here long ago; others recall a time when the horses had long left the stables and cars had parked up in their place, turning stable box into garage. It is as Ardallan Kitchen, where those stable boxes have evolved into dining rooms, that it continues to be a space where people come together, share stories, and create new memories over good food.
Now, as we keep evolving, we’re launching this blog: Table Talk.
Why? Because Ardallan Kitchen has always been about more than what’s on the plate. We want to share our journey with you—what happens behind the scenes, the people who make it all work, and how we keep going while staying true to what we believe in
Building our green kitchen back in March 2022
Growing Together
At first, I thought I could do it all—cook, serve, clean, take bookings, and manage everything on my own. It didn’t take long to realise that was impossible! As more of you visited, I had to bring in help. Now, we have a small but brilliant team who make Ardallan Kitchen what it is today.
Lil, Lani, Lisa, and my son Joe are the friendly faces who welcome you when you arrive. Kenzie, who first joined us as a summer worker, is now training as a chef. My partner’s parents, Rita and Jimmy, have been here since day one—helping with everything from serving customers to keeping the kitchen running smoothly.
It’s the welcoming smiles, generosity, and hard work of all these people that have helped create the high standard of care and service our customers rightly expect.
These times, they are a changing…
Running a small, independent bistro has never been simple, but the past few years have been more unpredictable than ever. The cost of running a business—ingredients, energy, wages—has risen in ways no one could have predicted when we first opened. That’s the reality we face, and we have to find smart ways to adapt.
But if there’s one thing we’re good at, it’s thinking on our feet. We’ve never been afraid to do things differently, tweak what we offer, or adjust the way we work to make sure Ardallan Kitchen keeps thriving.
Rather than just raising prices to keep up, we’re focusing on working smarter—rethinking our menu, fine-tuning what happens behind the scenes, and finding new ways to keep things fresh and exciting. Change isn’t something to fear; it’s how we keep moving forward.
What to Expect from Table Talk
This blog is a way for us to share more with you—insights from the kitchen, how we develop new dishes, and what it really takes to run a small, independent bistro.
We’ll be:
Sharing behind-the-scenes stories – A closer look at what happens day to day.
Introducing our team – The people who make everything happen.
Talking about food – Seasonal ingredients, new menu ideas, and the suppliers we work with.
Keeping you updated – Changes in the business, upcoming events, and what’s next for us.
Most of all, we want this to be a space where we can stay connected with you—our customers and friends.
What next for Ardallan Kitchen?
The year ahead will bring its challenges, but also new opportunities. Ardallan Kitchen has never stood still, and we don’t intend to start now. We’ll keep refining what we do, making thoughtful changes, and ensuring that every decision allows us to keep doing what we love—serving great food in a warm, welcoming space.
We’ll continue working with fantastic local suppliers, keeping creativity at the heart of our menu, and staying open to new ideas. Whether that means adjusting what’s on the menu, rethinking how we work, or introducing something entirely different, we’re ready to evolve as needed.
Most importantly, we will continue to be a place where people come together, where memories are made, and where good food is served with care.
Table Talk is the next step in that journey. Thank you for being a part of it.