The Prince of Wales: St Nicholas Lane, Aberdeen

IT WASN’T exactly what I had in mind for a Valentine’s Day outing, but the Prince of Wales certainly didn’t disappoint.

With my other half visiting for only a short time, speed was of the essence, and this well-known Aberdeen pub was just the ticket.

Quiet and relaxed, there was no rush to pick the order, with its simple canteen serving method.

And ready for a hearty meal, I went for the battered haddock and chips (£6.49) while my boyfriend selected the steak pie and chips (£6.49).

No sooner had we collected our Cokes (£1.70 each) than our food was on the table. The dish was cooked to perfection, with golden and crispy batter, while the fish was soft and light.

The accompanying tartare sauce was creamy and added a bit of zest to the dish.

And there were no complaints from my boyfriend about the melt-in-your-mouth pastry and the juicy meat in the steak pie. With a little veg and a healthy serving of chips, both our plates were soon spotless. And we even managed to find space for a sticky toffee pudding (£3.79). With lots of toffee sauce and cream, the sponge was light and not too rich.

Leaving us smiling, the Prince of Wales provided the perfect setting for an alternative romantic meal.