ON TOUR IN ABERDOUR
The undercover cafe critic
Scone Spy gets an anonymous tip-off.
sands, a place by the sea, aberdour
WELL, here’s a turn up for the books. An email arrives.
“Have you been to the beachfront cafe in Aberdour? You won’t get a better location in Scotland for a scone,” it says confidently.
Well. Have I been to Aberdour? Do politicians like droning on?
I spent many a happy childhood day there. It was a hotspot holiday destination when Scone Spy was a nipper – and in my memories, the sun is always shining.
Come on, weren’t summers better back then?
I need no further encouragement. I’m on my way to this lovely village on Fife’s coastline.
It’ll be quiet, I tell myself. It’s a freezing day in February. No need to book.
Well, what do I know? Sands is clearly a favourite with both summertime tourists and locals alike.
It’s absolutely jam-packed like, well, like a beachfront cafe in the middle of July.
Those in the know have reserved their tables. And there are even a few hardy souls outside on the terrace.
Anoraks are on, zips are zipped and they’re enjoying what is indeed a lovely view. It stretches right across to Edinburgh and along a stretch of Fife’s coastal path.
I suggest to my companions we could all enjoy a jog along the path after scone-ing.
They like that wee joke. The most activity we’ll be getting is wandering back to the car and nodding off in front of Cash In The Attic.
The menu in Sands is extensive. Not many cafes I visit offer a pot of mussels. But there are scones, paninis and lots of other choices, too.
We spend ages dithering. Even I can’t decide between a fruit or cherry scone.
You’d think world peace depended on our choices. Then again, the right choice of scone is an important matter.
Eventually we all decide and I head boldly to the queue. My heart sinks when I reach the front and discover they aren’t taking card payments.
This is very nearly a disaster. No one has much cash on them. We have to scrape it all together. Phew. Panic over. I’m glad to report that’s the only hiccup. My cherry scone is a beast of a thing, so huge I struggle to finish it. Again, just my wee joke. Next time, though, I’ll definitely get the mac and cheese – even a half portion is a decent size. Or maybe a portion of dirty chips.
No, they haven’t been rolled around in sand from the beach. They’re a delicious combo of chips topped with pulled pork, jalapeños, BBQ sauce & mature cheddar.
They didn’t have them back in my childhood days.
Then, this seaside cafe wasn’t much to write home about.
It certainly is now. It just goes to show you, life wasn’t always better back in the day.
Just don’t forget cash.