A colleague was coming up to Aberdeen from Dundee and suggested some food and cocktails after work. Never one to miss an opportunity for an evening out, I suggested a fairly new bar in town, The Spiritualist.
Its food and hospitality are no stranger to attracting major accolades - and now, The Three Chimneys on Skye has picked up even more praise after being named as one of five restaurants in the world worth travelling for by the Wall Street Journal.
Had I been driven there wearing a blindfold – stay with me on this one – when the blindfold was removed, I’d have thought I’d been magically transported to the Swiss Alps.
Michelin-star chef Michael Smith, of the Loch Bay Restaurant in Skye.
Every weekend, I travel around the north-east of Scotland following the fortunes of my footballing son. Saturday morning is for school matches, and Sunday sees me cheering on his club team.
Whisky firm William Grant and Sons is working on £30-million-plus plans to expand Glenfiddich Distillery.
A unique bottle of Macallan whisky has been predicted to set a new world record.
Scotland’s natural larder is the envy of the world, thanks to our lush, fertile land, innovation and high production standards.
A whisky considered to be the world’s most rare and valuable dram is going under the hammer next week.
Regular customers may already have been in the know, but now Low’s Traditional Fish and Chip Shop in Westhill is officially the maker of Scotland’s finest fish supper.
Meet The Menu’s new regular chef columnist, David Littlewood, chef proprietor at The Tor Na Coille hotel in Banchory and Kildrummy Inn near Alford.
Michelin-star chef Michael Smith, of the Loch Bay Restaurant in Skye, creates two classic dishes that are simple to make at home.
Aviemore is a holiday destination that truly has something for everyone, whether that be nightlife, exploring the great outdoors or treating yourself to a bit of pampering. But what about eating out? Sure, there are plenty of little eateries dotted throughout the main thoroughfare, but where should the discerning YL restaurant reviewer head to carry out an undercover critique?
"How do you fancy going out for lunch?” Words which are sure to raise my spirits. As soon as my other half had uttered them I was imagining a nice cosy bistro or perhaps one of those trendy minimalist modern establishments. I was salivating at the prospect.
Each week, we ask small businesses key questions. Here we speak to Stuart Grant, who runs Grants of Speyside and Grants of Dornoch with his wife, Marjory.
The Highlands have become a magnet for tourists – and those wishing to have a home in a beautiful, friendly part of the world.
As diners we often get stuck in a restaurant rut. We visit the same places, we order the same food from our favourite cafes’ menu, and on some occasions, even sit at the same table!
With the weather making Scotland feel more like Spain at the moment, a trip for some tapas seemed an ideal choice.
Ask any fisherman what he calls them and he'll most likely say "prawns", but on restaurant menus you'll often see them called langoustines.
It’s been a fantastic summer so far and it’s far from over.
Megan Markle and Prince Harry opted for a non-traditional rich fruity wedding cake and instead had a light, organic lemon and elderflower cake, reflecting the couple’s interest in seasonal ingredients, sustainability, provenance and flavour.
Standing on the white, sandy beach, the water gently lapping the shoreline was a beautiful shade of turquoise blue. The sun was beating down from a cloudless sky and the only sound to be heard was the occasional twang of a mast halyard of a wee yacht moored in the harbour.
Since they first hit our TV screens back in 2006, Si King and Dave Myers, better known as The Hairy Bikers, have become two of our best-loved chefs.
Today's recipes are easy to make at home and feature two of my favourite fish - fresh mackerel and Scottish farmed halibut from Ghia.
Scientists from the north-east have found proof that eating fat is the only cause of weight gain.
City centre businesses are being encouraged to sign up for Aberdeen’s second restaurant week.
Whisky bottles suspected to be fake have been removed from display at a Speyside distillery.
At a family gathering in Buckie recently, I happened to discover that my wife’s great, great grannie was formerly the owner of a hotel in Macduff many moons ago.
Desserts are not just to be enjoyed at the end of the meal - they can be a meal in itself.
The Boozy Cow, which shut its doors for the final time at the weekend, will reopen as a bar and kitchen later this summer.
A business lunch with colleagues from Dundee and a suggestion to meet halfway between Aberdeen and Dundee to save on travelling seemed like a sensible idea.
Not being a regular flier, it had been a long time since I’d been out by Aberdeen airport. So I was amazed to see the changes that have taken place when I found myself in the area recently. Not least the arrival of Dyce Farm, sandwiched in between the new Crowne Plaza and Moxy hotels, and opposite the Aberdeen International Business Park.