Restaurant visits are not a rare occurrence for me, funnily enough. But I recently stopped by one of my favourite city centre eateries, Chop Grill and Bar, and experienced a first.
What was that first? I found whittling down my order a near-impossible task as every single one on the venue’s Aberdeen Restaurant Week menu sounded appealing.
I repeat, every single one.
And it wasn’t down to the fact I was famished, but because there was so much variety and mouthwatering ingredients mentioned, from marinated prawns to garlic ciabatta and rump steak.
I didn’t know where to start or what direction to take.
I also didn’t expect to bag a last-minute reservation at the restaurant, which offers a welcome combination of casual and upscale Canadian-inspired cuisine.
But to my dining companion and I’s delight, our booking was confirmed. To say I was excited to finally revisit for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak would be a massive understatement.
The food
The Aberdeen Restaurant Week deal at Chop Grill and Bar allows diners to enjoy a main course, along with a starter or dessert, for just £25.
Don’t get me wrong, all the pudding options sounded appetizing. With sticky toffee pudding, a brownie, dark chocolate delice and cheesecake in amongst the mix, there isn’t anything to complain about.
But the pair of us agreed our hunger needed to be curbed with some savoury dishes.
With that, we requested the haggis bon bons and steak bites to start, and the chipotle mango chicken and pan-fried salmon for our mains.
Unsurprisingly, they were a feast for the eyes.
The bon bons had a fantastically crisp texture that gave way to perfect haggis beneath. Peppery, smooth and meaty, it was spot on.
They were served with two sauces – whisky horseradish aioli and maple mustard dip.
Although the bon bons hit the mark on the flavour front when eaten alone, the dips were superb.
The creamy aioli was subtle with just the right amount of garlic coming through, while the mustard was tart and tangy.
As for the steak bites, I want to say there were 10 chunks of tender, moist meat perched in the centre of the plate. So plenty to share. I would have counted, but they looked far too tasty to not dive right into.
Cooked exactly how we like, medium-rare, our knives glided through the bites, which had been marinated in a sweet sauce. It was a flavour fest, boasting zingy hints of chilli and a lovely sweetness (almost honey-like).
While there was, again, a bowl of whisky horseradish aioli on standby, this dish included a sweet dijon dip. This was the standout sauce for us, boasting just the right amount of spiciness.
I think our neighbouring diners quickly caught on to how pleased we were with the starters, given how many times we praised them.
The pair of us continued to do so afterwards, too, as we sipped away at our drinks.
It was a relatively quiet Friday evening in the restaurant, making for a relaxing atmosphere.
Our server provided us with a nice break before our second course arrived. With that, we were ready to tuck into our mains.
Lurking underneath the salmon was a bed of garlic and rosemary crushed potatoes. I must admit, mash with the potato skins included is a winner for me – and no one will make me think otherwise.
The dish also featured perfectly cooked seasonal vegetables, including asparagus, tender stem broccoli and carrots, and a lemon and dill sauce.
I would struggle to think of a better way to round off the dish than with that sauce, which was soup-like in consistency.
Sampled on its own (to see what I was working with), it was heavy on the salt front. But once drizzled over the different components, it was a joy.
As for the chipotle mango chicken, we were just as impressed.
Like the salmon, the chicken was perched on a pile of delicious ingredients – Jasmin rice and, again, seasonal vegetables. It was topped with fresh avocado and salsa Fresca.
My dining partner used his knife to spread a thin layer of the avocado and salsa Fresca across each chunk of chicken, ensuring there were a number of flavours coming through in every bite.
The rice was sticky and fluffy, while the chicken had a nice smokiness to it.
Before heading back out into the crisp spring night, we slowly sipped away at our drinks and raised a toast to a superb evening with even better food.
The verdict
I have spoken highly of Chop Grill and Bar ever since my first visit back in the summer of 2019, and this is something that will without a doubt continue.
Once again, I couldn’t fault any aspect of my experience.
The staff could not have been more attentive, and both the food and drinks were something to shout about.
I already have a date secured in my diary to visit again during Aberdeen Restaurant Week to try out some of those other dishes that caught my eye.
Will I struggle to whittle down my choices again? Absolutely.
Information
Address: St Andrew Street, Aberdeen, AB25 1LR
T: 01224 945559
Aberdeen Restaurant Week deal: £25 for a main course, along with a starter or dessert.