STATION HOTEL, SEAFIELD ST, PORTSOY

1 LOCATION

Set on the pretty Aberdeenshire coastal town’s main thoroughfare, the hotel is just a short walk from its picturesque and historic harbour.

2 FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Warm and hospitable with a smart interior. We were given an enthusiastic welcome by waitress Isla.

3 SERVICE

Fast and friendly. Within seconds of being seated our waitress checked if we were comfortable. She took our drinks orders swiftly.

4 MENU

We visited for lunch and were pleased by the variety. We went straight for the mains. I chose a beer battered North Sea Haddock fillet with hand-cut chips, peas and home-made coleslaw. My companion chose the Aberdeenshire Beef Steak Pie, with a puff pastry top, chips and seasonal veg. For dessert we opted for the homemade chocolate brownie with chocolate sauce and a sticky toffee pudding.

5 TASTE

Wonderful. Our choices may have been simple, but they represented good, wholesome food made from the finest local ingredients. Although the choice of starters was devilishly tempting, we were glad we decided to skip the entrées as the generously portioned mains and sweets were so delicious we wanted to clear our plates.

6 PRICE

Reasonable. The fish dish was priced at £11.95 and the pie dish £12.95. Desserts cost £5.95. With drinks, our bill came to around £40.

7 AMBIENCE

Charming. Warm decor and plentiful seating, including attractive but comfortable armchairs and sofas as well as dining banquettes.

8 SOMETHING SPECIAL

It has to be the hand-cut chips. Many restaurants seem to use only the frozen, fast cook variety these days. It was a joy to bite into fat, home-cooked fries, crisp and golden on the outside and white and fluffy on the inside.

9 TOILETS

Clean, enough space to manoeuvre and no queues.

10 VERDICT

Delightful. Pretty Portsoy can be rightly proud of the Station Hotel. 17/20