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Aberdeen - A Culinary Destination Not to be Ignored
Aberdeen - Scotland's 3rd largest city - is perhaps not a destination you would automatically associate with culinary prowess. Take some time to investigate and you may be surprised to find that Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire have a rich history of food production and a great variety of restaurants to suit all tastes.
Most famously the area is renowned for the production of Aberdeen Angus Beef, a breed of cow that is native to the county of Aberdeenshire and is widely considered to be amongst the highest quality beef in the world. Famous also for their shortbread, malt whiskey and the renowned 'Cullen Skink' - a delicious thick soup made with 'Finnan Haddie' a type of specially smoked haddock that originates from a town close to Aberdeen; there is certainly no shortage of native delicacies to sample.
With this in mind, perhaps it is time to consider a trip to Aberdeen to discover its culinary gastronomic delights first hand. Undoubtedly the most interesting way to travel to Aberdeen from anywhere south of Preston is the Caledonian sleeper train, which will transport you in great comfort; sweeping through Scottish countryside as you relax in your cabin after a wee dram in the lounge car. Upon arrival check yourself into one of the many high quality Aberdeen hotels and take some time to explore the city.
Explorations complete, you are sure to be in need of hearty meal. For a spot of lunch why not try the Foyer Restaurant and Gallery, located in the centre of Aberdeen on Crown Street. The Foyer restaurant serves up a delicious and varied lunchtime menu, using the best seasonal produce to create 'unfussy variations of classic dishes.'
For a light lunch why not try their grilled North Sea salmon salad, served with baby potatoes, black olives, green beans, tomatoes and shallots - and then treat yourself to a slice of vanilla cheesecake with roast spiced pear and a pear puree. By eating at the Foyer you will also be contributing to the support of the Aberdeen Foyer Charity. All profit generated by the restaurant is used to support the organisation, which works with young people in the local area - what better reason to visit?
For an evening meal and a taste of traditional Scottish cuisine, take a journey down to Aberdeen's trendy west end where you will find the Number 1 Resturant and Grill. The restaurant, which is open for dinner from 5:30 to 9:30 Tuesday to Saturday, prides itself on producing fresh and tasty dishes from the best local produce available. The dinner menu features a range of modern twists on traditional Scottish recipes, my personal favourite being the smoked haddock Scotch egg served with roasted peppers and tomato.
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