West End Bistro - Aberdeen City

This is not a Bistro. This is an utterly soulless hotel restaurant. We were eating alone at one point, on a Saturday evening. The chairs are so badly designed that I couldn’t move mine closer to the table. The portion of Chicken Liver Pate was very generous but there were only 5 mini oatcakes. That needs re-thinking. I chose the soup and asked if it could be vegetarian because the menu stated that vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options are available. I was told they weren’t actually available. Worth a try I guess... The batter on the fish was dark brown and hard, suggesting over cooking and or oil that needed changing. The mushy peas were whole garden peas. The chips were quite dark and just mush inside. They were REALLY bad. That plate should not have left the kitchen. My partner was so disappointed that this was considered acceptable by the chef that he just couldn’t be bothered to complain. The amount of food left on his plate at the end of our meal should have given a hint... My spaghetti dish with cream and very few mushrooms was okay. The waiter was attentive and pleasant. If, by participating in the Itison scheme, the management team hope to attract diners and encourage them to return, they seriously need to up their game. That was NOT an enjoyable dining experience. Far from it.

Much of my experience dining out in Aberdeen is courtesy of the wonderful Spree App/Book which makes dining out in the Granite City just a little more affordable. There aren’t many restaurants that offer a discount voucher on a Saturday evening, but the West End Bistro does. It was quiet on that evening and so the service was efficient and friendly. We both went for the chilli option and it was delicious. The restaurant is bright and airy and a very pleasant place to spend an evening out. I would thoroughly recommend the purchase of a Spree App/Book because it gives you a reason to visit hidden gems you wouldn’t necessarily have sought out, and a reason to return!

Only time I’ve ever been served a steak that stunk of cheese and it had a pepppercorn sauce. Service was deplorable, most guest waited over an hour for service.

William and his team did everything to ensure I (a lone traveller) had everything I needed. The service was quick and efficient, food delicious and hot. Just what I needed on a cold night. Highly recommend this bistro and bar.

Visited this restaurant during the Aberdeen restaurant week and I'm struggling to be too positive. The menu looked great and that was the attraction. Firstly I was confused about the restaurant name as it is listed as Thistle and Moss restaurant for the promotion. There is nothing that shows up for that restaurant on TripAdvisor. A quick search showed the hotel was embarking on a refurbishment and I thought it had recently changed name for the restaurant at the same time. Phoning in to book suggested it hadn't changed name. The recorded message on the phone still said West End Bistro. On arrival to the restaurant it also said West End Bistro. A bit confusing. The board outside the restaurant said the Thistle and Moss restaurant and 3 courses for £18. Wait a minute, we just booked a promotion offer for £20.18 for 3 courses, but it was £18 already??? We walked up to the wait to be seated board and waited for a bit. There was an awkward stand off where nobody paid us any attention. Looking into the restaurant the first thing that was obvious was it was empty. Only 4 people in. The place looked like it catered for breakfast only as all the buffet breakfast bar equipment was all left out. It didn't look appealing and not a place for a nice dinner. Next issue was the tables were bare. Absolutely nothing to decorate the tables other than the cutlery and some of the worst napkins ever. The Millennium hotel napkins were just so nasty looking. It doesn't feel like a dinner experience. The first waiter then came to offer menus. He was completely oblivious that they had signed up to the Aberdeen restaurant week. After seeking advice we were told to order anything from the standard menu. The standard menu doesn't match what the menu is on the promotional website. There is things missing, but additional things too. Then there was confusing advice offered for the price. The menu had one price, the board outside said another, the Aberdeen restaurant week said another price, then the waiter had even more variations of the price. Confusion overload. The food was very average to be polite. At the promotional price of £20.18 for 3 course it was barely acceptable, at the menu prices I would be very annoyed. The 3 courses for £18 boards outside the restaurant made me feel the promotional offer was already worthless. The bit that further annoyed us was when the bill came. The small glasses of wine were charged at £7.50 each. It wasn't great wine and £7.50 for a small glass stuck in the throat. It strikes me of a place where people stay on business contacts and are are forced to eat here for expenses purpose. It's not a place a customer would be attracted to. The Aberdeen restaurant week attracted us here, but the experience turned us away. Nowhere near good enough.