FOODIES are preparing for a two-week gastronomic trip around the world as the latestAberdeen Restaurant Week gets underway today, with the highest ever number of venues taking part.
The foodie fortnight promises to be the best yet.
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From today (Monday, August 7) until Sunday, August 20, a total of 59 places are taking part in the event and will run special offers for customers to enjoy fine food at attractive and affordable prices.
Aberdeen Restaurant Week gives guests visiting the participating restaurants,bars and cafes the chance to sample foods from around the world withoutleaving the Silver City.
European cuisines on offer include Italian, Dutch, Spanish, British and Scottish dishes, while those wishing to venture further afield in their culinary tastes can choose to sample delights from far-flung locations including India, Cuba and Thailand.
Organised by Aberdeen Inspired, the city centre BID, Aberdeen Restaurant Week, which began in 2017, gives local cafes, restaurants and bars a platform to promote their food and drink offering while driving footfall into the city.
This summer’s line-up includes The Atrium and The Spiritualist, which have bothreported an increase in bookings for the period covered by Aberdeen Restaurant Week.
Ryan Clark, co-owner of The Atrium, on Chapel Street, said: “We are taking part inAberdeen Restaurant Week for the first time and have been delighted with the amount of interest it has generated. We have an unprecedented level of advance bookings forAberdeen Restaurant Week with over 100 reservations already booked in to try our £20 menu.
“We focus on delivering a special dining experience with an emphasis on Scottish cuisine, taking care to use locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. Over the Aberdeen Restaurant Week fortnight, we are offering a three-course menu for £20 which includes firm favourites such as Cullen skink, fish and chips and sticky toffeepudding.
“We have options for those wanting to try something a little bit different, too, this includes a Korean cauliflower starter, Gamekeeper’s Tagliatelle as a main and a vegan chocolate orange tart for dessert. The Aberdeen Restaurant Week offer also includes a free draught soft drink.”
Paul Paxton, general manager of The Spiritualist on Langstane Place, said: “There’s a real buzz around Aberdeen Restaurant Week. People seem excited to try a variety of restaurants, with some going back to tried and tested favourites and others choosing to go somewhere different.
“Aberdeen Restaurant Week is a great initiative. We have now taken part several times and always find that the special deals result in extra bookings. This time around we are offering menus at three price points – £15, £20 and £25 – so hopefully there will be something for everyone.
“Our Aberdeen Restaurant Week menu includes our twist on macaroni cheese which levels the dish up with the inclusion of truffle and chorizo as well as a mouth-wateringly rich chocolate brownie which is served with an orange gel and raspberry sorbet. We have some amazing cocktails on offer for £5 each too – my favourite, the Class Dismissed, is a sweet Disaronno based cocktail which goes really well with the brownie.”
Other newly announced venues include Gidi Grill on Union Street, The Exchange on Exchange Street, Smoke and Soul on Littlejohn Street, Milk Jug Café on Upperkirkgate, The Copthorne Hotel on Huntly Street and The Jewel in the Crown on Crown Street.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said Aberdeen Restaurant Week has become a hugely popular event.
“This summer’s event is the biggest yet and we are delighted to have firm favourites returning to take part alongside venues which have signed up for the first time,” he said.
“We’re sure that diners will be delighted with the vast array of cuisines on offer throughout the fortnight. We would encourage anyone coming into the city to enjoy the delights of Aberdeen Restaurant Week to make the most of the opportunity to spend time in the city, whether that’s visiting the local shops near the restaurants and cafes or finding the time to take in the latest additions to our vibrant street art scene.”
All venues involved in Aberdeen Restaurant Week will offer a unique set dining offer at £10, £15, £20 and £25, ranging across lunch, dinner and afternoon tea. Some venues are also offering tasting menus. The special deals will be available throughout the foodie fortnight.
The variety of price points available adds to the event’s popularity, said Adrian.
“Dining out can be very expensive and for some people this will put them off trying somewhere new. The set price deals available through Aberdeen Restaurant Week offer diners a chance to try somewhere new knowing that it doesn’t have to break the bank.
“For example, Poldino’s is offering a three-course menu at £25 per person while at Grape and Grain you can choose three small plates for £20. Hopefully, there will be something for everyone among the 54 venues taking part.”
Four-legged friends are also welcome at Aberdeen Restaurant Week. Venues including Big Manny’s Pizza, Olive Alexanders, The Pig’s Wings and the Common Sense Coffee House and Bar are all dog friendly.
Adrian added: “Dogs are widely welcomed throughout the city, so it stands to reason that several of the venues taking part in Aberdeen Restaurant Week will cater for those not wanting to leave their four-legged friend at home.
“We are hoping to see people taking a walk into the city and stopping off at one of the Aberdeen Restaurant Week dog-friendly venues while they’re out and about.”
For more information about Aberdeen Restaurant Week, visit https://www.aberdeeninspired.com/festival/restaurant-week
