Aberdeen Restaurants

[AMCDan]

This is not the first time i've posted in here asking about restaurants in Aberdeen!

anyway, gf's birthday on Friday and i need some ideas. Ideally walking distance from Union Street.

Been to The Albyn, Olive Tree (or whatever it's called).

What else have we? Looking budget of ~£100 a head. I've paid that in other cities and had a fantastic meal, but have always felt somewhat let down with the same budget in Aberdeen.

Prime Cuts? I was told it's nice but not £40 steak nice?

It's that or i try and get a last minute dinner & room at the Champany in Linlithgow and just go all out

Edited by AMCDan on Saturday 25th October 22:13

[ASBO]

The Foyer in Crown Street is a favourite of mine.

I think Aberdeen suffers from having to many fancy resteraunts that have forgotten about customer service.

The Marcliffe at Pitfodels is also nice but rather expensive.

[AMCDan]

funny you say that, i was at a charity auction the other week at The Ardoe and won a dinner for two at the Marcliffe as part of some kind of raffle... However, it was a business event and we'd taken guests so i gave it to them

if the other half ever found out she's kill me

[Kiltie]

I think I could have a good night in Silver Darling for £200.

Alternatively, what about a wee trip South to Stoney? Train down for the novelty. Walk down to the harbour for a drink in the Marine or the Ship then dinner in the Tolbooth, and then taxi home.

As a born and bred Aberdonian, I'm ashamed to say that, IMHO, there's currently no restaurant which I would consider suitable for a really special occasion.

Cheers,

Eric

Edited by Kiltie on Saturday 25th October 22:50

[AMCDan]

yeah, i know what you mean. Our favourite restaurant is Rococo's in Glasgow - not found anything else to compare so far... we had a great night there last new years eve too. I treated her to dinner at Rococo's then when she thought we were going to get a taxi home i took her to our suite at Malmaison. I'm such a romantic, me.


(although, i wasn't that impressed with Malmaison - wonder what the Aberdeen one will be like?)

[Kiltie]

ASBO said:

The Marcliffe at Pitfodels is also nice but rather expensive.

I've had dinner there a couple of times in the last 12 months and thought it was absolutely shocking in terms of value for money.

Cheers,

Eric

[Kiltie]

AMCDan said:

... dinner at Rococo's then when she thought we were going to get a taxi home i took her to our suite at Malmaison.

Good effort.

I believe the new Aberdeen Malmaison is a departure from their business model elsewhere (it's going to be 5 star).

I really like the one in Leith and the eating opportunities within and easy walk ... but that doesn't really help you with your original question - sorry.

Cheers,

Eric

[justin220]

Was at prime cuts last night and was £65 a head, 3 courses, wine, beers, and some had whiskey after. Good value. Was actually really good, but still think my favourite place is Simpsons just off union street! Cracking steak!

[onlynik]

There is no good fine dining in Aberdeen.

Marcliffe - Good steaks - dinner for 2, 3 courses, wine and port. around £200

Number one - Poor food, strange combinations that don't work. OK wine list, no vintage port ~£75 a head

Stage Door - Not bad, but don't change their menu enough. OK wine list. Steak not very good.

The Forum - Not worth teh effort. Cheap food and cheap wine.

Fusion - Small menu, good wine, great food, lovely atmosphere. (I'd go here)

Ciao Napoli - If you like Italian food, this is the best in Aberdeen

Silver Darling - Very overated, you are paying for the name

If you are going further afield, The Champany is great, but I think the Witchery in Edinburgh is better. (if you can get a table that is)

Edited by onlynik on Monday 27th October 10:41

[motoGF]

I don't think there's really a great restaurant in Aberdeen.

The Olive Tree has potential but I've been really disappointed with the service.

I like the Marcliffe for the fact that it's a bit more of an occassion. Sitting down for a drink in the drawing room before and after makes it more of an evening. You have to make sure that you get extra fudge to go with the coffee .

[foz01]

Simpsons is crap, had two terrible meals there and will never go back, i know i shouldn't have gone back the second time :P

I like the Albyn and the best steaks in aberdeen are at the square imo!

[scz4]

foz01 said:

.... the best steaks in aberdeen are at the square imo!

That's my fav restaurant. There is nothing pretentious about the place, with a very modern atmosphere, good menu, great food and wide range of drinks.

Yes the steaks are awesome

[Guffy]

I'm rather partial to dining out in Aberdeen and always keen to keep rotating and although i agree that there isn't one Michelin Star quality restaurant, there are an abundance of above average establishments to choose from.

I'm quite enjoying some of the more intimate environments lately, such as La Stella, Moonfish and Musa, but none can be classified as fine dining though. Simpsons is great for the business lunch's, but it feels like a bit like a glorified canteen to me.

The Marcliffe and the out of town Lairhillock can be quite up-market, but there's always a chance of being disappointed when you have higher expectations.

[onlynik]

scz4 said:

foz01 said:

.... the best steaks in aberdeen are at the square imo!

That's my fav restaurant. There is nothing pretentious about the place, with a very modern atmosphere, good menu, great food and wide range of drinks.

Yes the steaks are awesome

Except for the service. Truely awful server, and the opitional 10% service charge they add to your bill, then get upset when you ask for it to be taken off.

[thinfourth2]

Go to Belmont street and above the one up record shop there is Krishnans new restaurant "spice dabba" the first sourthern indian in aberdeen

A lamb massal dosa is most brilliant



blatant plug mode off

[AMCDan]

thinfourth2 said:

Go to Belmont street and above the one up record shop there is Krishnans new restaurant "spice dabba" the first sourthern indian in aberdeen

A lamb massal dosa is most brilliant



blatant plug mode off

sounds good, but not quite what we're after this time. will be sure to try it though.

It's either going to be Silver Darlings or Fusion i think..

[riosyd]

Jerome-Jerome on Golden Square is one of my favourite restaurants, local produce and very reasonably priced. Don't be put off by the organic bit - it's not full of vegan fundamentalists!

The staff are very friendly but the service can be erratic. They do however have proper linen tablecloths and napkins. It's not a huge place and might not be what you are looking for on this occasion but worth trying out some other time.

IMO the Olive Tree is not that great and whilst the food at Simpsons is good the tables are too close together. Haven't been to Fusion or the Silver Darlings ...yet.

[onlynik]

AMCDan said:

thinfourth2 said:

Go to Belmont street and above the one up record shop there is Krishnans new restaurant "spice dabba" the first sourthern indian in aberdeen

A lamb massal dosa is most brilliant



blatant plug mode off

sounds good, but not quite what we're after this time. will be sure to try it though.

It's either going to be Silver Darlings or Fusion i think..

You'll need to book Fusion soon, as it is quite small.

And, when I say they have a small menu, there are 3 starters, 3 mains and 3 sweets, though they change them daily, IIRC.

[AliV6]

Prime cuts on Friday nite was alright...£430quid between 7 of us. 3 course, lots of beers, wine and whisky...60£ odd each...No bad.

I thought the olive tree, simpsons and Ciao Napoli were decent and Even La lombara's! MILES cheaper was nice ( Awesome pizza's when you come out at 3am! lol)

[downthepub]

I've heard that Café 52 doesn't have the wow factor it once had, has anyone been recently? If it has, it'll be a shame as that was my favourite.

Also, the Carmelite are re-vamping their chef team, hopefully it'll become somewhere of note.