The City: 37-39 Netherkirkgate, Aberdeen

YOU would think that having lived umpteen years in the North-east, I would know Aberdeen like the back of my hand by now.

Yet turning a corner and seeing the welcoming and classy front of The City took me completely by surprise. “How long has that been there?” I asked Mrs B. Still, it was a welcome if unexpected sight as the two of us had been ferreting around for somewhere nice to have lunch and a break from shopping.

Given how chocker the place was, we must have been the last two folk in Aberdeen not to have heard of this cafe bar and restaurant.

Bright and airy, it also boasts friendly staff and a fairly impressive specials menu.

The pork and black pudding burger with fries (£6.50) sounded irresistible ... so I didn’t resist. I was rewarded with a meaty treat that was packed with flavour, if a tad on the salty side. The crispy fries rate as among the best in town. The big surprise was the funky salad, that had grapes, melon and pineapple in with the usual leaf and onion suspects.

Mrs B, meanwhile, was delighted with her baked potato with barbecue chicken (£5.50). Her plate was heaped high with tender morsels of prime breast coated in a tangy, but not overwhelming, sauce, sitting in the fluffiest of tatties. Oh, and more of that fruity salad deal going on.

Now we’ve found it, we’ll be going back.