Palace hotel: Prince Street, Peterhead

IT’S always a joy to find some new culinary delights and dinner haunts.

Peterhead’s Palace Hotel seemed just the place to tantalise the taste buds.

With a varied menu the venue’s pub diner provided a healthy mix of traditional fare and food for someone who fancies something a bit different.

My mate Andy opted to start with the mouthwatering deep-fried breaded mushrooms, which came with a garlic dip (£4.75). He scoffed those down with delight.

The duck and chicken liver pate was my opening bite (£4.75) and it was a real treat. Served with a few charming little oatcakes and an almost too rich gooseberry chutney

the combination was a taste sensation.

Andy opted for the steak pie (£8.50) as his main course. Served with chips and veg it was a real plateful which he quickly polished off.

I tried the pork olives with mushroom and cognac sauce (£9.25). And it was worth the risk of trying something new.

The sauce was rich and creamy and nicely complemented the pork, which was wrapped around a sage and apple stuffing.

The service was excellent. Our super-efficient waitress was very attentive and continually asked if everything was okay.

The rustic wooden panelled walls and cool Americana vibe to the place also helped us have a chilled Sunday dinner.

Along with drinks the bill came to £34.45.