The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Refreshed for success
A popular city centre eatery has moved to a new location. Karla Sinclair pops in to find old favourites are still on the menu
Formerly situated on Aberdeen’s Union Terrace, Kirk View has opened the doors of its new premises on Belmont Street. After receiving the keys to the building just four months ago, owner Rob Milne and his team have worked tirelessly to give the former Pizza Express eatery a new lease of life.
The new premises comprises two floors, with the ground housing the main restaurant and the top level housing a trendy cocktail bar, named Caberstone Lounge.
It has a maximum capacity of 100, a huge step up from its former home which could seat 35. However, Rob plans to mainly keep this at 70 covers.
A unique set-up in the city, diners will be able to watch the chefs at work as the kitchen area is set on open-plan with the restaurant.
Rob, who currently lives in Danestone and has worked in restaurants his whole career, says this will allow the kitchen team “to be on show”.
“This adds such a fantastic vibe to the place,” he added. “It also means our chefs can hear the compliments our guests leave, rather than the waiter passing it on.”
The venue boasts the same colour scheme and decor as the former Kirk View premises, which opened its doors in March 2017.
The team has since grown from six staff members to 10 to keep up with demand and will have the building working to its full potential.
WHAT WILL THE MENU LOOK LIKE?
There is more great news for Kirk View regulars – the food and drink offering will stay the same.
Guests can still enjoy the selection of tasty tapas dishes the business has become well-known for, as well as its non-traditional afternoon tea, in the main restaurant.
Caberstone Lounge will only be serving drinks and snacks.
Rob said: “The food concept and drinks menu has not changed at all.
“We are still a Scottish fresh food tapas restaurant serving afternoon tea and a pre-theatre set menu.
“We are super proud to be from Aberdeen, so we’re having fun with the amazing ingredients on our doorstep. Our sea bass and Balmoral chicken are our most popular tapas dishes.”
Other tapas dishes to expect include: • Haggis and black pudding croquettes
• Buffalo chicken wings
• Paprika halloumi fries
• Roast pepper fajita risotto
• Garlic and chilli king prawn skewers
• Breaded haddock strips
There are also desserts, from sticky toffee pudding and a triple chocolate brownie to homemade profiteroles and baked lemon cheesecake. Dish prices vary from £5.50-£12.
Guests can opt for a classic afternoon tea for £17 per person or a prosecco afternoon tea for £22 per person.
They feature a selection of bruschettas and a trio of homemade desserts.
NEW LOCATION
In terms of what pushed Rob to relocate, he said: “My ambition has always been to have my own large-scale operation in the city.
“The cafe we have left behind was just too small for us. It was very noisy when the cocktails were flowing.
“I saw an opportunity arise on Belmont Street when I noticed Pizza Express had left an amazing building behind. I contacted the agency dealing with the lease and was able to convince the landlord to back a family-run operation.
“Here we are nearly one year later with a refurbed restaurant, ready to create our own piece of history on Belmont Street.”
He hopes the move will give the team a much bigger footfall, and has already taken several larger bookings for later this year.
“We have been operating the last two years with Union Terrace Gardens being regenerated. It has been really hard with a building site directly across from us, footfall has just not been there.
“I am so excited to be operating in Belmont Street. It is an exciting time.”
WE ARE SUPER PROUD TO BE FROM ABERDEEN, SO WE’RE HAVING FUN WITH THE AMAZING INGREDIENTS ON OUR DOORSTEP
z Kirk View is open from 11.30am to 11pm daily.