Henry’s Bar: Exchequer Row, Aberdeen

WHAT’S that sitcom called with the theme tune “Where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came?”

That’s it – Henry’s. No? Well it should be.

The bar and eatery’s grand grub is second only to its warm, welcoming and efficient staff, always ready with a smile and more than willing to help.

My girlfriend went for a goats’ cheese and roasted pepper panini (£5.25) – and it was packed with the stuff. Sweet roasted peppers and salty cheese are a perfect combination, only made better when served with a large, crisp salad and huge portion of tangy and delightful “proper” seemingly home-made coleslaw.

In case that wasn’t enough, she also ordered a piping hot, crispy portion of curly fries (£2.50). Like the salad, coleslaw and panini, no skimping on the portions here.

I also got the chance to have my ideal meal – meat with more meat on top – in the beefburger with chilli con carne (£7.59). The huge, moist burger, a far cry from many a chain pub, came piled with more mince, kidney beans and peppers in the chilli sauce. It wasn’t overly hot, but the flavours were definitely there – deep and tomatoey with a hit of cumin. And guess what, it came with chips (normal this time) and a salad that were meals in themselves.

This was the point where we’d usually order dessert, but after the great feed, we were far too stuffed. If every pub in Aberdeen had the value, quality and friendliness of Henry’s, well, I’d drink to that. Cheers!