Iain Whiteley and Ally Eccles have crafted a fresh take on dining, blending elevated classics with the charm of local delights.
Imagine a cozy, welcoming atmosphere paired with playful, intriguing creations- a unique, five course tasting experience designed to celebrate the seasons. Best of all, it’s nestled in the heart of Stirling.
An Darna was brought to life by long term friends Ian and Ally, who first crossed paths 16 years ago while working in hospitality. With years of industry experience under their belts, fate stepped in when a ‘To Let’ sign appeared across from Iain’s cocktail bar Meraki. Seizing the opportunity, the duo turned their vision into reality and introduced An Darna.
With an ever-changing menu crafted by Head Chef Ally and his skilled team, paired with their commitment to local ingredients and the restaurants welcoming ambience, every visit promises a truly memorable dining experience.
Iain described the his intentions for the restaurant as “somewhere that does good food but in a really relaxed and comfortable manner. While the food is phenomenal, and Ally has some crazy wild wonderful ideas, we don’t want people to feel like it’s a pretentious or stuck up place. We want it to be enjoyable, relaxed and fun, rather than formal.”
In concocting their wild and wonderful dishes, the pair are deeply committed to supporting the community that shaped them, focusing on “helping their neighbours” by championing local, seasonal produce and building genuine connections within the local business community.
Not only do they pride themselves on utilising community sourced ingredients, they are also mindful with reducing their food waste, and have become experimental in finding ways to make ingredients stretch further. Though this isn’t at the cost of repetitive food ideas – Ally and the kitchen team are constantly “coming up with crazy ideas”.
Iain proudly discussed the food he serves, saying “I just think everything the guys put out is phenomenal. It’s nice to be able to serve food that I’m proud of and have confidence in. It feels good to be able to put the food down, see the look on people’s faces and know we have done a good job.”
Iain was excited to share the introduction of their Chef’s Table – a table which faces on to the open kitchen. The hand-picked 7 course dining experience allows customers to hear from and interact with their chef. You can also look out for brand new Hampers, filled with customer favorites – from burnt pineapple ketchup to carrot chutney.
An Darna is more than just a restaurant – it’s a celebration of food, friendship and community and an experience you don’t want to miss out on.