Aberdeen - lunch after Graduation Ceremony

maggiesoup1

Hi all, wonder if anyone in the Aberdeen area can help please. As we're not from this area we're not sure which restaurant to book for son's graduation lunch in June (apparently the good ones get booked up quickly hence the query 3 months beforehand!)

We're not keen on "fine dining" - too fussy and not keen on eating in a hotel - too stuffy - but somewhere bistro-ish with lovely food or maybe a good seafood restaurant. Prefer somewhere with no kids running around.

Thanks in advance

pogofish

Which Uni is he graduating form?

Aberdeen uni actually does a reasonable lunch in a big marquee on Kings lawn but I can't tell you what RGU does.

Otherwise, there is a range of chain/informal dining in the city centre at Union Square - I actually see a lot of grads families eating there as its accessable, central and not too stupidly priced.

The Boozy Cow off Broad St does some nice dishes but may be closed as it is moving to a larger place on Langstane Place (which has cleaned-up its act recently), where there is also good Tapas and Pizza places and some eye-watering cocktail bars, the Vegan Foodstory cafe in Thistle St is good for vegetarian choices and very un-Aberdeen in its ambience.

There is one good seafood place, the Silver Darlings in Fittie but that is fine dining, pretty expensive - You will probably find the uni bigwigs and their guests in there!

There are also a couple of good small Bistro-type places in the Adelphi - Goulash, a Hungarian place was very good and great fun last time I was in but that was a while back and again it is very popular with Uni types.

If you like a good curry, you are spoiled for choice - Light of Bengal, The Nawabs are amongst the best, whilst the Yangtzee on Bridge St is amonst the better Chinese places.

Although maybe a bit more foodie and not cheap but not that formal, Fusion on South Silver St is a good place - Their upstairs is fine dining with a fixed menu but the small bar/bistro is more easygoing and unfussy but booking is pretty essental as it can get very busy- if you see someone slightly disreputable who looks like they have just finished a good days fishing, it is probably me!

Alidolly

Do NOT go to the Marcliffe hotel at Pitfodels as gave me severe food poisoning after my graduation! Served raw chicken Kiev then microwaved it and served it up a second time. When complained they said "well, we are really busy you know!" and offered one free drink (not per person either!).

Was violently sick that night and next day. Complained again to the hotel and never responded (sent recorded delivery letter so I KNOW they received the complaint).

Terrible CS and staff that were offhand and rude. Granted it was over 10 yrs ago by vowed NEVER EVER to go there again and wouldn't recommend to my worst enemies.

pogofish

Alidolly wrote: »

Terrible CS and staff that were offhand and rude. Granted it was over 10 yrs ago by vowed NEVER EVER to go there again and wouldn't recommend to my worst enemies.

I take it you didn't meet the owner then? Old Spencie is a bit of a gnarly institution in the Aberdeen hospitality biz.

You also missed the most important thing about the Marcliffe - The food is utterly unimportant. Its all about the status of being in the best and most important hotel in Aberdeen. A place that serves and accomodates world and national leaders, untouchable titans of wealth creation and a whole raft of celebrities too.

So us oiks need to know our place and not tarnish its reputation, or-else.

And yes, I have had dealings with Spencie at another stage of his career - and learned some of the corner-cutting that goes-on in his kitchens.

There are indeed far better places than this.

Alidolly

Nope, manager was no-where in sight (despite asking to speak to them).

Had chosen there as was staying with relatives while studying in Aberdeen that stayed in Milltimber and wanted to say thanks (would have been better going to the chippy instead!).

Service was appalling as they'd crammed so many tables in with only 2 waitress's serving that I saw.

Didn't care about the so called celebs but had paid for a meal and expected something better than the hounds would have received.

mrs_T

Did this last year for DD1 and hopefully this year for DD2. We had a private dining room at the Chester in queens road for a party of 7, they did a set price graduation lunch with the menu as a graduation scroll and the food and service were perfect. Definitely fine dining but a memorable day. Have also had a grad lunch at silver darlings, great food but we were one of only two tables so no atmosphere. Would recommend Moonfish which is central bistro with always excellent food.