Beekies Neuk: Oldmeldrum Road, Newmachar

WAKING up to stormy skies and torrential rain, I was facing a cosy Sunday spent on the sofa watching bad TV.

But when my mate suggested we go out for a pub lunch, I thought it would be the perfect way to banish the summertime blues. So we headed to family-run Beekies Neuk in Newmachar and, after deliberating over the wide range of dishes on offer, a friendly staff member took our order.

To start, I chose mozzarella sticks (£4.94). The soft, gooey cheese centres were wrapped in crispy breadcrumbs, and came with a tangy chilli dip and salad.

My mate went for the deliciously rich pate (£5.35), and melba toast.

For my main course, I settled on the Cajun chicken (£9.75). The delicious, juicy portions were coated in a light, spicy seasoning, and the chips were chunky and crisp. My friend ordered the roast beef special (£10.95). With a huge amount of succulent beef, he was more than happy with his choice, though he would have liked more vegetables. With drinks the bill came to a very reasonable £39.15.

A great new place to go when I need good homemade food on a rainy day.