The Athenaeum: Union Street, Aberdeen

MARRIED life is full of little trade-offs – as in: “Okay, I’ll go and see Bridesmaids if you come with me for Japanese food first.”

Which is how Mrs B, still not the hugest fan of Japan’s cuisine, found herself eating at the Koban Kitchen of the Athenaeum, while I found myself sitting watching a chick flick.

In fairness I had ensured there were a couple of Western dishes on the menu – like burgers.

But Mrs B was quite happy when I ordered chicken yakitori skewers (£5) and the waitress suggested crispy nori chicken (£4) for starters.

The skewers were packed with tender chicken marinated in a rich soy sauce.

Although they were delicious, they were topped by the nori chicken, which had a fine crunch and a salty tang.

Mrs B chose teriyaki chicken salad (£9) from the East Meets West section of the menu. She was rewarded by a slate dish heaped with huge slices of tender chicken breast that had her yumming.

What lifted the dish was the vegetable yakitori – two skewers of delicious shiitake mushrooms, asparagus and spring onion.

Meanwhile, I was slurping a huge seafood ramen bowl (£9), full of plump mussels, perfectly cooked squid and delicate prawns in a rich broth.

My only quibble would be the stiff bar prices.

And how was Bridesmaids? Mrs B enjoyed it.