The Newmachar has a host of awards including a North East Hospitality Award, Scotch Beef Chef of the Year and Bar Food Restaurant of the Year.
Location
This stylish four star hotel couldn’t be more handily located. Less than 10 minutes by car from Aberdeen Airport, it is on the A947, a main route from the Granite City to Elgin via some of Aberdeenshire’s most breathtaking countryside and coastline.
First Impressions
Smart, warm and friendly. We arrived in a hailing gale to a warm welcome even though we didn’t have a booking. (We’ll make a point of reserving a table in advance in future because we would not want to be disappointed.)
Service
Fast, professional and fun. The team were quick to take our orders, offer advice on menu choices, and were even up for a bit of bad weather related banter.
This place is popular with local people and travellers/tourists alike. Although new to the hotel, we were welcomed like regulars.
Menu
We could not have been more impressed with The Scullery menu with its imaginative modern take on some traditional favourites with great vegetarian options and vegan & gluten free menus available on request.
Taste
Out of this world thanks to the talent of award-winning Head Chef Graham Mitchell. We were spoiled for choice from starters through to desert, and were super tempted to start with the spiced crispy cauliflower, cranberry and sprout fricassee with poached pear and cranberry aioli – heaven on earth.
But to get the full flavour of the festive season, I chose for my main dish braised short rib of beef, with olive oil mash, heritage carrot, braised onion and Bourguignon jus.
The beef was so tender and moist it could cut with a butter knife, the accompanying vegetables were delicious and was the jus.
My guest went for Turkey Balmoral; a turkey olive stuffed with haggis wrapped in bacon, pomme puree, a Pigs in Blankets Cranberry Turnover, skin crisp baked carrot, and whisky cream jus.
She declared hers off the scale scrumptious. Desert was an After Eight special, chocolate mint fondant with chocolate crumb, choc chip mint ice cream and white mint chocolate sauce, topped with an After Eight.
Ambience
Newly refurbished, this restaurant has a sleek but welcoming interior, a spacious conservatory and beer garden for days when the weather is fair. It’s the kind of place youput on your favourites list and it’s perfect for all the family.
Price
Great value given the quality and the outstanding service. We paid a little over £50 for our meal, soft drinks and coffee.
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