What about Aberdeen?

[froufrou]

Hi,

My husband and I are going to be moving from France to Aberdeen in Feb. We are from New Orleans Louisiana, so for we have lived in cities known to have some of the best food in the world...and we love to eat.

We haven't any children, we spend most weekends out enjoying good meals.

I have placed a topic regarding dinning in Aberdeen on Chowhound and much to my surprise not 1 response. Like you guys these people know all the places for eating...Is there anyone that can provide a few names for nice restaurants in Aberdeen, surely there must be some?

Is it true that I'm out of luck with Sushi?

I'm sure we won't go hungry but I alway enjoy reading comments on great places for dinner!

Cheers!

[Adam Balic]

Well its proberly safe to say that Aberdeen won't be like a French town foodwise. The area does have several fine local products: Butteries/Rowdies which are local pastry, not unlike a croissant, in flavour (different shape etc), smoked fish and fresh seafood.

This site may be useful:

Aberdeen

But in general the food will suck, if it is anything like Edinburgh.

[froufrou]

Thanks Adam for your replies....it may be a good time for dieting! Ha!

I'm sure we can find something...however, really gonna miss that sushi!

Thanks again for the tips!

[Adam Balic]

You can make you own sushi. Some of the best wild atlantic salmon in the world spawn on the east coast of Scotland. Tuna, not so much.

[Janice]

I think it would be safe to assume that sushi (or at least decent sushi) will be off the menu.

As Adam said, there should be plenty of great local produce about but you might want to cook it yourself. Beef and game deserve special mention.

There are certain Scottish foods that I sometimes miss, but let's put it this way - they help explain the high rate of heart disease and might not appeal to those not raised on them.

If you enjoy eating out at the weekend and can afford it, my suggestions would be:

1.) Weekends away at some of the excellent restaurants with rooms around Scotland - good way to see the country too. Altnaharrie is no more, but there is The Three Chimneys on Skye, The Peat Inn near St Andrews, Monachyle Mhor in the Trossachs and many more that I'm sure others could recommend.

2.) Much as it pains me to say this: cheap flights to London

[froufrou]

Thanks Janice for your reply. Great idea to venture out to places that offer both great food and board. We do plan on getting around and seeing the sights, as Scotland is to be a beautiful country. You and Adam are the first to offer any suggestions...not sure if it's beacuse there is no good food (which is what worries me) or Aberdeen's off the beaten path. Never the less I'll check out the places that you've mentioned.

Adam...I might just have to do as you say...make my own sushi...I thought the water would be too cold for tuna.

Thanks guys!

[Duncan]

I have placed a topic regarding dinning in Aberdeen on Chowhound and much to my surprise not 1 response. Like you guys these people know all the places for eating...Is there anyone that can provide a few names for nice restaurants in Aberdeen, surely there must be some?

The only restaurant in Aberdeen that makes it to the Good Food Guide is Silver Darling which is a seafood reastaurant literally on the quay by the entrance to the harbour. The food is supposedly pretty good, but its been some years since we went so I can't give a personal opinion (though it was nice when we went). Go during daylight to make the best of the view.

I'll ask my parents if they have any suggestions (they lived in Aberdeen until last year).

I think you'll find there are plenty of good places to eat, although you might have to go outside Aberdeen, and you'll probably find some of the places that locals might recommend specialise much more in large portions rather than quality.

Last summer we were up near Inverness. If you head that way, try Boath House, Auldearn. Its a country house hotel and members of Slow Food. Also, in Inverness itself is Rocpool which is a cut above the other Inverness restaurants --- go there on a Friday evening if you can as they have a special seafood menu then. It was also almost the only place we ate out that didn't feature Haggis somewhere on the menu.

[Adam Balic]

Thanks Janice for your reply. Great idea to venture out to places that offer both great food and board. We do plan on getting around and seeing the sights, as Scotland is to be a beautiful country. You and Adam are the first to offer any suggestions...not sure if it's beacuse there is no good food (which is what worries me) or Aberdeen's off the beaten path. Never the less I'll check out the places that you've mentioned.

Adam...I might just have to do as you say...make my own sushi...I thought the water would be too cold for tuna.

Thanks guys!

The produce in Scotland can be of out standing quality, except for Veg. Especially look out for raspberries when they are in season - Amazing. The problem with Scotland is that apart from a very few places the restuarants are poor or just plain boring. So look on it as an oppertunity to perfect your cooking skills with some of the best ingredients in the world.

[Duncan]

I'll ask my parents if they have any suggestions (they lived in Aberdeen until last year).

My parents' reply:

Aberdeen is not renowned gastronomically and I don't know where one would get good sushi. As you know the best restaurant is still the Silver

Darlings and the fish dishes should suit Froufrou there.

The Lairhillock, five miles south of Abdn off the Netherley Road, is not bad and comfortable. The Udny Arms is fair and renowned for sticky toffee pudding; while the Maryculter House Hotel is also reasonable. Froufrou must expect to change her eating habits: the better eating places go for " A Taste Of Scotland" - ie venison, beef, haggis, cranachan etc.

That's about all we can suggest!

[froufrou]

Thanks Duncan to you and your parents...that was very kind of you to ask and them to give feed back.

I'll give the places above mentioned ago...as far as my eating habits...I always adapt to where ever I go as we move a LOT so this won't be a problem.

Have a great day!

Cheers!

Renee