This visit was part of a press trip I ‘attended’ on behalf of Visit Aberdeen for FoodFest15 (www.foodfest15.com). FoodFest15 is Aberdeenshire’s take on ‘The Year Of Food & Drink Scotland’ 2015 – and if it’s anything like the experience I had, a grand old time it shall be for anyone who goes. It runs all the way through January to December, though I only showed up for a few days at the end of June. As far as I’m concerned, it’s ALWAYS the year of food and drink – I don’t care where I am, or what year it is. Anyway, I shall now talk about the place you can see before you…
Opening in 2004, the Moonfish Cafe is kinda hidden away down the windy and winding medieval streets of Aberdeen’s Merchant quarter – and can be found at the foot of a beautiful (and imposing) 12th Century Church – St Nicholas. Nothing too imposing about the Moonfish itself though, if anything it’s quite the opposite – being very friendly, laid back and unpretentious on the main part! It’s modern, slightly eclectic cuisine with a heavy seafood focus, plus a very extensive gin list and a not so bad wine list. I think you could call it ‘casual dining.
The food menu is kinda streamlined – 4 selection for each course, whether that be lunch or dinner, which gives it a kind of well thought out feeling. The walls reminds me a littlle of a modern art gallery minus art snobs etc. fantastic atmosphere, small but intimate. It definitely has a cafe feel. Combination of tiny size and local popularity has lead to many people advising advanced bookings, as it tends to get busy most nights by all accounts – seating only 40. In my evening spent there I enjoyed their 7 course tasting menu of exquisite Scottish seafood. Very splendid.
And for some reason or another there’s a shitload of Scandinavian shot photography on the walls. I’m pretty sure it’s all the work of Sam Brill, Aberdeen-based photographer, though I am not sure of his connection to Moonfish. The head chef? Mr. MasterChef himself