It’s sexy, understated and much loved by anyone who appreciates a decent cocktail or two.
Yup, welcome to The Tippling House on Belmont Street in Aberdeen, where stairs descend into this quirky cellar bar.
From the wood panelled ceiling to private booth seating, and of course that seductive lighting, it’s no wonder this gem has forever proved a hit.
As me and my friend Kristin slid into a booth, we were no longer two knackered mums, not least because those hanging lamps did a marvellous job of hiding the eyebags.
The Tippling House is the place to be when you want to escape for a wee while, the din of nearby Union Street fading to nothing.
We were warmly greeted by staff, and were not surprised to find a good few tables occupied.
With both three courses and five courses on offer, priced at a thrifty £20 or £30, we were eager to get sampling the menu.
Head chef Stuart Galloway has put together a pretty marvellous selection, and having heard great things about the boozy brunches, we couldn’t wait to tuck in.
Sadly we were both driving that night, but your tipple selection matters not to the hard working staff.
The food
You won’t find half hearted mocktails at The Tippling House, and we both ordered from the ‘lo and no’ cocktails list.
I opted for Spring Back Highball and it was love at first sip.
This £6 concoction was made up of Seedlip Garden, lavender and hibiscus shrub, cloudy apple and lemon.
Served in a proper cocktail class, it was delicious, and I may have ordered another one later in the evening.
Kristin settled on Bell Hop, which was a curious mix of Seedlip Spice, bell pepper cordial, hopped grapefruit bitters and lime.
In my experience, The Tippling House always does things a little differently, and I am 100% here for it.
Onto the food, which arrived beautifully presented.
We had selected the three course option, and I went for buttermilk fried chicken tacos served with red pickled onion and salsa.
Kristin eagerly tucked into burrata, served with pumpkin, hazelnut and sage.
If there’s one thing I love about Kristin, it’s that as a dedicated foodie she can always be relied upon to be honest.
Her verdict?
It was a nice creamy but light start to the meal, and the toasted hazelnuts were a fantastic addition to the dish.
I gobbled down my own starter in record time, the chicken was tender within and served with mini flatbreads, perfect for dunking into the salsa.
Appetites perked up, our mains arrived with a flourish.
I had venison cannelloni served with wild mushroom, and Kristin had roast cauliflower served with pickled leeks and smoked cheddar sauce.
The venison cannelloni was rich and perfect for a cold January night, the cannelloni itself draped over the meat and was cooked beautifully.
Whilst I couldn’t finish the dish, I wouldn’t hesitate to order again.
Across the table, Kristin was rather delighted with Tippling’s take on cauliflower cheese.
The cauliflower was whole and roasted so it wasn’t soggy or overcooked, but still had a bit of bite to it.
The pickled leeks added unexpected flavour bombs that cut through and complemented the rich cheese sauce, and yes, Kristin is now going to attempt to pickle her own homegrown produce.
Finally, dessert, and always my most anticipated meal in life.
I ordered dark chocolate mousse, served with cocoa nib, passion fruit and chamomile.
You couldn’t eat an awful lot of this dish, and that’s the entire point.
It is to be savoured, intense in flavour and just one spoonful left me determined to finish the rest.
Kristin was equally delighted with her choice of roast autumn harvest fruits, served with honey sabayon, thyme syrup and masala.
This dish screams comfort food and offers a nostalgic reminder of berry picking in the Aberdeenshire countryside.
According to Kristin, the light and airy sabayon with a hint of sweet honey was a scrumptious alternative to custard.
From the talented baker who made my wedding cake, that is high praise indeed.
The verdict
The Tippling House is a gorgeous venue which remains true to its own glorious quirk.
The menu captures the vibe perfectly, and offers dishes you might not otherwise try.
Fantastic staff, warming atmosphere and very happy bellies.
Information
A: 4 Belmont Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1JE
Price: Three courses for £20 or five courses for £30
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