silver darling, pocra quay, aberdeen

1 LOCATION

Fabulous – at the entrance to Aberdeen’s busy port on the top floor of the castellated former customs house. Floor to ceiling windows capitalise on views out to sea, and if you bag a strategically positioned table you’ll have a view of the city’s seemingly endless golden beach.

2 FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Sleek, chic and sophisticated with a laid-back atmosphere. However the restaurant is accessed via a spiral staircase and there is no lift.

3 SERVICE

Friendly and attentive.

4 MENU

Chef Craig Somers has chosen the menu to showcase the finest Scottish produce and he does the country’s producers proud. Michelin has rated its quality seafood as a highlight.

5 TASTE

We started with seared Shetland scallops in vanilla cauliflower puree, curried cauliflower florets and curry oil. They were perfectly presented, moist and tender to taste. Our mains were sole goujons in Parmesan and seaweed breadcrumbs with hand-cut chips, caramelised lime, salsa verde mayonnaise and a local leaf salad, along with a North Sea jumbo haddock with crush peas, handcut chips and home made Tartare sauce. Both were off the scale delicious. Our shared dessert was a lemon and lime posset with pistachio biscotti and a fruits of the forest coulis. It was creamy, crunchy, fruity and totally scrumptious.

6 SOMETHING SPECIAL

The full house platter includes mussels mariniere, oysters, langoustines, gin-cured Loch Fyne smoked salmon and home-cured salmon gravadlax, tiger prawns, and crab straw fries served with fresh bread, seaweed mayonnaise, Tartare sauce and shallot red wine vinegar.

7 PRICE

We were charged around £60 for our menu selections, along with soft drinks.

8 AMBIENCE

Smart but relaxed and very friendly.

9 TOILETS

Clean and tasteful but on the ground floor, which could be an issue for those with mobility problems.

10 VERDICT

A treat for a special occasion. 18/20