Food with family

I've had some good experience and bad ones this past few weeks.  During the holidays I tend to eat out more - as you do.

First of all the good.  Had a great buffet at Manzil's (always worth trying to get in about five when it's still quiet) and went to Yangtze River for their express lunch and was really impressed.  It has a set menu but the staff are pleasant and the service is okay.  I also went to the Justice Mill for the first time.  And was pretty impressed - it's much more modern than Archie's but really good food and service, and a great place to take my cousin too.

I've also found that with my hectic schedule I often have to grab something on the hoof.  This is usually a quick sandwich or sausage roll.  But I've now found two impressive place to sit down and relax.  First one is no surprise really The Breadmaker but the other is BHS's Cafe....!  Okay so Breadmaker is a bit on the expensive side but gives you a feel good factor.

Here is the bad and trust me its BAD!  Terrible service at the TGFS in Trinity.  And why might you ask?  Groupon Vouchers.  Now I can eat regularly using Vouchers - like at ASK Italian.  I use these voucher simply because I can get a good deal.  The lass that served us was just plain rude!  Yes I only paid £2.60 for a meal that had a cost of up to £6.60 or something like that but come on - your employers except you to treat everyone fairly.  I'd also recommend labelling things a little bit clearer....or changing the content of their Groupon voucher.  When a voucher says any Sandwich/Baguette, Soup and Baked Good - what would you expect?

I expected a decent choice of Sandwiches and Baguettes (about four choices), A Nice Soup (it was okay) and a baked good (i.e a Cake!).  What did we get - a customer service agent who obviously doesn't like people.  There where no obvious signs for the Panini's and no Baguettes out in the fridges.  When we mistakenly picked up the panini's we were then rudely asked if we wanted them in addition to the voucher - I said no we wanted the offer....it took a good few attempts (with no 'oh sorry these aren't in the offer') to work out that the limited choice was two flavours of baguette and three sandwiches..... then when I went to get cake I was told the baked good where actually the sausage rolls etc....

Really not impressed.  Not going back to that branch next time I get a voucher I might try the Bon Accord one!

Italian Food

I LOVE Italian Food.

So Ask Italian in Union Square has been a big hit recently!

We signed up to their newsletter and get great deals emailed to us - all we do is print them out and take them in with us!

First time we went it we where spoiled - we even got free coffee and cake (from the Manager). We were honest and said when we went to pay for the bill but they didn't mind at all - Hey Honesty Pays!

Since then we've been back for 2 mains for £12 and the new menu deals (main with starter or desert for a tenner).....

I'd recommend this one to someone who likes Italian. The staff are friendly and chatty. Plus you can watch the world go by or watch your dinner be cooked!

New things since the new year

It's been far to busy for me to have time to post I'm afraid. Having two jobs is never fun but can be rewarding. SO I'll go through things as best I can seen as its now July. The tight budget we've been on hasn't helped so meals out where few and far between at the beginning of this year.

We did get out for our anniversay in March - going to Archie Simpsons in Aberdeen then onto Manzils.

During the Easter holidays a friend took me to Rishis - an we ordered some of the most amazing authentic food I've ever tasted, and my friend is an amazing cook of traditional India food!

Since my move back to Seaton I have to admit I've been enjoying good pub grub at the Brig O' Don. The staff are really friendly and the food is good - and they have kopparberg which is fine Swedish pear cider (with lots of different flavours). In fact Archie's and The Tollbooth in Ellon both stock it too - Strawberry and Lime is my current favourite. Which I've been frequenting with colleagues every once and a while.

Anyway finger crossed I might get into some more time to eat, drink and be merry. Diet and exercise permitting....of course

Holburn Revitalised

I've noticed more derelict shops on holburn street are finally getting a new lease of life.

First there was a new shop in under skene house (holburn). Then the Chinese medicine shop shut and is now a hair salon and the old news agent has been cleaned up but is empty (last time I checked).

What was Haddows in now perfect collections (they have a bridal wear shop over the road). Hass's refurbishment seems to be going well, if taking longer than expected. And the empty shop next to it is going to be a tescos apparently.

Have to admit with no hass's we have used the ashvale's chipper and although the queue was long, the food wasn't bad and neither was the price.

Curry in a Hurry?

Well there are a few places I've mentioned before.

Manzil's has been a favourite since we moved up here. Good food, friendly staff and buffet as well as A-la-cart restaurant. Always like buffets cos I struggle to choose sometimes. Been in on quiet mid-weeks (when its cheaper) and in when its packed over the weekend (including a stag do one night)...

It's never quite going to match New Shim-la in Dumbarton...we where pretty pampered there (free drinks on the odd late night, doggy bags with extra naans etc)

We keep meaning to go to Blue Moon (it does cheaper lunches and its just down the road)...

The other Indian restaurant we have been too a few times is the Bollywood Tandoori. The first time it was busy and I was unimpressed at the service. We sat for about half an hour before we got our main ordered. The second time we where down (which was a week or so back), it was much earlier in the evening and quieter than the last time. The staff where friendly, we where served quickly and our only waiting time was whilst our meals where cooked. Oddly enough we think we ordered the same think both times and it was equally as good this time round. Bit pricey in my view, but a really good treat.

Plan 9 - Comics GALORE

I had time to kill before attending a course on Saturday so had a look around Rosemount viaduct/Skene street area. Intially I was looking for Yatai just so I could check where it was for next time one of our friends is up.

But as I wandered I noticed a bright yellow frontage in amongst the charity shops...Plan 9. So on Sunday I dragged my fiancée out for a rummage.

So many comics and graphic novels to catch up on! Fables, Jack of Fables, Sandman, New covers for Transmetropolitan, Lucifer, Gears of War.....just to name a few. I need to have a hunt in storage for what I've got so far in Fables and Sandman...But there are SO many that I want to get into....ARGH!

In other news my fiancée's health is still an issue however he's started product reviews on his own blog (I even do some too - for the "girly products" as he puts them) Which you can read here! Check out the reviews and the products all come from the website shown below.



Eco yourself clean!

Hair Cut...

Okay I actually hate having my hair cut. Mainly because I only get to a salon once and a while and don't usually get what I ask for...or actually get listened to. So I had to get my hair cut - had a quick look at some online reviews and Hatstand Nelly kept coming up.

So I booked an appointment - phone Monday, appointment Thursday with the Junior Stylist Dean. Now if there is one thing I know from past experiences a good salon looks after you. When I have splashed the cash in Glasgow it's been the rainbow rooms or the one at the top of byres road (first hair cut at uni that I got a compliment for!), Elgin it was Bliss...I've had hair I was happy with.

So I did the best thing. I went in a bit early and looked at the magazines to get an idea what I wanted. Had a good chat with my stylist who took on board what I wanted made some suggestions and wait for it LISTENED. I had a great and relaxing hair wash, conversation was minimal but sometimes you don't feel too chatty - especially on your first visit. I know as a kid I went to the same hairdresser's until I was in my teens.

Now a good hair cut makes you feel good. The atmosphere is good, staff are friendly and outgoing. So advantage on 'junior' stylist is it is cheaper but Dean has a good few years experience so I think its a just a term these days as your not letting some new start attack your hair with gusto. I also found from going to the rainbow room academy that hairdressers are really well trained from day one.

So happy me = tip!