SO, WHAT first attracted you to the two courses plus your pint for £9.99 deal, Mr Begbie?
Well, to be honest, it wasn’t the price, because we only found out about this Thursday night offer when we arrived.
It was a long-time hankering to visit this cosy, old-fashioned pub in Old Portlethen that prompted me and Mrs B, plus the loon, to brave the back roads around Portlethen. I love its olde worlde bar.
The eating, though, is done in a welcoming lounge next door – complete with large screen telly. We were there to eat, not gawp at the box ... and for £9.99 for two courses of unashamed pub grub – including your drink – we were about to eat a lot.
We shared out our starters, with lots of “mmm-ing” over the mound of rich pate and warm, crunchy toast. The deep-fried mushrooms were a juicy delight, with a tart garlic mayo to set them off nicely. Star attraction though were the tender chicken satay skewers with zingy sweet chilli sauce.
That set the bar high for the mains.
My fishcakes veered towards the mushy side but were still tasty enough, while the loon thought his rich and creamy macaroni and cheese was near perfect.
Mrs B was the winner with her cajun chicken – a breast fillet that was perfectly cooked with the right amount of spices to make it more-ish.
All of this plus crunchy chips and fine veg.
It was a good feed – spoiled slightly by a loud, swearing oaf at the bar.
That was a minor quibble for a real midweek treat. We’ll be back.