Restaurant review: The Bieldside Inn, Aberdeen

The Bieldside Inn is perfect for a winter gathering but also great for alfresco dining in the warmer weather.

Location

Set in the leafy Aberdeen suburb of Bieldside, just a stroll from the River Dee.

First Impressions

A smart, modern restaurant with exposed beams and a balcony, we visited on a Friday evening when the place was buzzing. The restaurant was packed and we were relieved to have booked in advance.

Service

Great. Although there wasn’t a table free, we didn’t wait to be served and our drinks and food orders arrived swiftly. Teenage waiter Tyler Little’s friendly professionalism belied his years.

Taste

We decided to pick and mix, and chose our starters from the standard menu, turning to the specials board for our mains. My guest began with grilled halloumi skewers. They came in a generous portion of four, laced with a piquant sauce. She voted them delicious. I went for chicken tenders with a side salad and dip. Crispy on the outside and succulent within, they, too, were a generous portion.

My main was a pan-fried Scottish salmon served with Mediterranean vegetables and delicious Hasselback potatoes. The salmon – light, moist and full of flavour, came with wholegrain mustard and the combo worked beautifully. My guest went for the “special main”: Jack Daniels meaty spare ribs with sticky sauce that she described as beyond delicious. But so generous was the helping, she had to ask for a doggy bag to take the remainder home!