Where to Eat
toast and a Scottish breakfast that offers free-range scrambled eggs and Scottish smoked salmon. Soup and sandwiches abound at lunchtime, or opt for something heartier like the lamb meatloaf or 6oz rib-eye steak in a ‘whopper’ roll. Scones and homebakes are available all day and there’s also a good children’s menu.
changes monthly and a wide selection of handmade crafts are available to purchase, with craft classes also offered.
Porterhouse Restaurant
Dee Street, Banchory 01330 822625, banchorylodge.co.uk Mon–Sat noon–2.25pm; 2.30–4.30pm (afternoon tea); 6–9pm; Sun 10.30am–5pm
Thainstone Centre, Inverurie 01467 623899, porterhousethainstone.co.uk Thu & Sat 5.30–9.30pm; Fri noon– 2.30pm, 5.30–9.30pm; Sun 12.30– 3.30pm
Located in Scotland’s principal livestock mart, it’s no surprise this venue is dedicated to great meat. Open on sale days but not restricted to those involved in the auctions, top-grade local beef, lamb, venison and fish are served, including a ‘Prime Offer’ deal on Thursday and Friday evenings of two steaks plus a bottle of wine for £39. For more, see feature on p.7.
The Store Westfield Farm, Foveran, Newburgh 01358 788083, thestorecompany.co.uk Mon–Sun 10am–5pm
For more on The Store’s farm shop, coffee and gift shop, see entry on p.36.
Tarts and Crafts Eigie Cottage, Eigie Road, Balmedie 01358 742002, tartsandcrafts.co.uk Wed–Sat 10am–4pm
This delightful child-friendly community café and craft gallery is tucked away just behind the library in Balmedie. Along with a selection of freshly ground Fairtrade coffee, a wide assortment of teas and hot chocolate, sugar-free and organic cold drinks, the menu includes homebaked cakes, toasties and snacks. All food is made on the premises by volunteers, with seasonal soup served accompanied by freshly made organic rolls and cheese scones. Home baking features Fairtrade sugar and cocoa as well as organic flours, with a selection of gluten-free homebakes and bread available. The art exhibition
ROYAL DEESIDE & EAST CAIRNGORMS Banchory Lodge
Bringing a touch of boutique hotel class to the banks of the Dee, Banchory Lodge looks amazing, but it’s not just a case of style over substance. The menu aims to offer comfort food in a modern style, using great local ingredients to create hearty dishes, based on favourites such as slow roast pork belly and homemade steak burger. The brunch menu, a Sundayonly staple, includes blueberry pancakes with bacon alongside some unusual dishes including baked eggs and beef cheeks. If you’re looking for a quicker bite, the bar area serves hearty soups and sandwiches.
CHEF’S CHOICE CALUM BUCHANAN ON LEYS ESTATE PHEASANT
Birdhouse Café 74 High Street, Banchory 01330 822072 Tue–Sat 8am–5pm; Sun10am–5pm. Closed Mon
A recent addition to Banchory’s High Street, the Birdhouse Café opened its doors in spring 2013 offering soups, salads and a good quality range of teas and coffees, all served up in a surprisingly spacious and chilled out modern livingroom-style space. All the baking is done by co-owner and Banchory native Amy Watt and family, giving the café a real personal touch. Why not try their chocolate peanut butter cake or choose something from their whimsically named sandwich assortment – the Hou-mongous hummus red pepper, perhaps? Open earlier than most coffee shops, an 8am start through the week means it has already become a popular breakfast morning spot with everything available to take away.
Leys Estate pheasant are one of our favourite food products. They are literally right on our doorstep and delivered by Brian the gamekeeper. We cure and smoke them ourselves and use them for stroganoffs and on our special Smoke and Salt board – very tasty! ■ Calum Buchanan is chef and owner of Buchanan’s Bistro (see p.46)
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