Caline Jonasson (l), owner Suzanne Gleadall, with a chicken club with house salad, and Jayne Collett

When I found out there was a Scottish Pub opening in Kensington, I was excited. Located on the corner of Memorial Drive and 10th St. N.W. — most recently the home of Ten Scene Cuisine — Robbie Stewarts has inherited a location that has played host to many restaurants over the years. It’s a losing streak I’m sure the owners would like to break.

Before going, I took the opportunity to check out its website (robbiestewarts.ca) and was thrilled to see items like Scotch eggs, haggis and a ploughman’s lunch on the menu.

After taking a seat in the back of the room, however, I am disappointed to see that the website isn’t accurate: the menu has been chopped by more than half. There are no Scotch eggs to be found. There is no haggis. And no ploughman’s lunch. The section entitled “Auld Scottish Favourites & Entrées” has been reduced to a mere three not-so-Scottish options: New York steak, oat and herb encrusted salmon or haddock, and lastly, Robbies piri piri chciken [sic].

I don’t consider myself a prude when it comes to spelling or grammar, but the menu at Robbie Stewarts needs some work. Simple words — chicken and Sunday — are spelled wrong, and with the availability of spell-check nowadays, it reflects poorly.

Unfortunately, they are out of the oat and herb encrusted fish on the evening of our visit, so I reluctantly order the piri piri (an East African hot sauce) chicken ($12.95). My guest opts for the Braveheart burger ($13.95), described as “Our homemade burger topped with our hot ’n’ spicy Braveheart sauce and blue cheese.”

The chicken comes in two moderate-sized pieces, covered with sauce. It tasted like Frank’s Red Hot, and the poultry has a rubbery texture often found in flash frozen meat. On the side are eight pieces of carrot and five mushy chunks of broccoli. Both taste over-salted. The mashed potatoes look creamy and smooth, but when I take my first bite, I find crunchy pieces inside. Not knowing what they are, I inquire, and I’m told there is cabbage as well as sour cream in the potatoes — a Scottish tradition. The potatoes are, without question, the best part of my meal.

My guest enjoys his burger and the fries are delicious — the second-best part of the dining experience. Unfortunately, the top prize of this night goes to a bottle of McEwan's Scotch Ale ($7.95). Kudos also goes out to the bar for giving each booth an individual television, revisiting the retro jukebox concept with a modern twist.

Overall, Robbie Stewarts Sports Pub still requires a lot of work if it’s going to make it in the über-competitive restaurant business in Calgary.