THE next time you tackle the daily commute, try breaking the monotony by counting the number of pubs, restaurants and hotels that disappear into the distance in the rearview mirror with every passing mile. If your trip is anything like mine, the count will soon stack up. Now add up the number you have actually taken the time to sample. I’ll bet there’s room for improvement.
The Newmachar Hotel is a perfect example of a roadside hostelry that’s ripe for exploration. While not on my own Monday-to-Friday canter to work, it is in prime commuter country and I can’t help but wonder how many people have cruised past without finding the time to slow down, stop and enjoy all there is on offer.
Located right on the A947, the busy main Aberdeen-Banff road with all that lies between, there is no shortage of passing trade for the bar and restaurant to draw on. Judging by the packed car park on the Saturday evening we chose to dine, the success rate is good. And I’d hazard a guess that the bulk are not first-time visitors.
With its handy spot on the edge of Newmachar, just 11 miles from Aberdeen and even closer to Dyce, as well as a short hop from the likes of Oldmeldrum, Inverurie, Kintore and Kemnay, there’s a captive audience. The only downside is that the hotel is, quite literally, on the kerbside of the main road, so not in the most tranquil of surroundings. However, there is an enclosed garden and a play area for children.
From the outside, the Newmachar Hotel is everything you would expect from a traditional village hotel, with the old building neatly brought up to date and more modern extensions providing a bit more room to breathe. Step inside and it’s anything but olde worlde, with a fresh and contemporary feel to the restaurant that would put many a city-centre venue to shame. Cool browns and creams are the order of the day, with clutter-free dining in smart, but relaxed, surroundings.
We had to wait a few minutes to be seated despite having booked in advance for a slot just ahead of the weekend rush, but once shown to our seat, we were perfectly looked after. Nothing is too much trouble for the friendly staff, with our two young children made to feel perfectly at home by our bubbly and attentive waitresses. With owner Grant Wright buzzing around the restaurant floor, very much at the heart of the front-of-house team, there’s an air of friendly efficiency.
The menu cannot be faulted for choice in an unabashed pub-food style. There’s everything from the staple main-course favourites of sirloin steak and fish and chips to creamy curry and spicy fajitas. There are also the more subtle offerings, with noisette of Scottish lamb with wild mushroom and thyme tempting, as well as the fillet of sea bass with broad-bean and pancetta broth. In short, something for all tastes, and all at very reasonable prices. The daily specials add extra variety.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves with the mouthwatering mains. To start, my wife opted for the flat mushroom with bacon and melted Stilton – which was nicely prepared and packed a real flavour punch thanks to the good portion of cheese – while I was drawn to the warm Stornoway black pudding salad. Finished with a tangy raspberry vinaigrette with just the right amount of black pudding, it was a fantastic start to the meal and very moreish.
The delicious black pudding may owe its origins to Stornoway, but the Newmachar Hotel is proud of its Aberdeenshire roots and local suppliers. Beef from Hatton Crook, chicken from Skene, pork and game from Ellon and seafood from the north-east coast are the order of the day.
It was the free-range chicken that I went for when it came to choosing a main course, served in a delicate filo basket and dressed with a tasty cheese, ham and white-wine sauce. The only minor let-down was the bland rice accompanying an otherwise delicious dish. My wife went to the traditional side of the menu for good old haddock and chips in a crispy and golden beer batter, and was met with a perfect portion of fresh fish.
Family is very much at the centre of the Newmachar Hotel and there’s a great children’s menu, with our two opting for pizza on one side of the table and sausages on the other. Garlic ciabatta bread laced with a creamy mayonnaise was enough to keep the junior reviewers occupied while we tackled our starters.
For dessert, there’s just as much choice as there is when it comes to the main meals. After much to-ing and fro-ing, it was back to a tried and trusted old favourite for me, with sticky toffee getting me hook, line and sinker. (Note to self: must try harder to resist). This particular variation on the theme was wonderfully moist, although the over-generous portion would have been enough for two to share. Before we discovered that, my wife had gone for the ice-cream meringue fudgey, which was another success.
By the time we had polished off that little lot, it was getting on for peak time on a Saturday evening and there was not an empty seat to be seen. The mix of clientele tells its own story, with families side by side with young couples dressed for a good night out as well as old friends enjoying their local in its latest incarnation. Add into the mix some exiled Newmachar folk we bumped into who had been tempted home for a good feed and the picture is of a popular country hotel that keeps people coming back for more – something the pub of the year award hanging on the wall testifies to. This is certainly one worth stopping for.
With two apple juices for the children and two glasses of grape of a different variety for the adults, the total bill came to a very respectable £60.95.
The Newmachar Hotel, Oldmeldrum Road, Newmachar, 01651 862636.