The But 'n' Ben — Restaurant in Scotland

We were out last night (7 Feb 20) for a late tea/early supper and a shortish jaunt in my pal's big new hybrid motor vehicle. The sultry close-knit former fishing village of Auchmithie, on the cold North Sea Coast, above Arbroath, awaited our arrival ... we being a boy/girl foursome of experienced, hungry and fussy foodies. "Shut that door," Larry-Grayson-like, cried our good-humoured hostess as we entered her deliciously endearing restaurant which was quiet that Friday, unusually, but due to the time of year. Prawn Cocktail for starter was familiar but famous and fine, two Five Star Smokey Pancake Platters, a Crabmeat Concoction and a replete Piping-hot Pot of Haddock and Prawns proved perfect for our mains. Two lovely desserts were shared by all four and this far-from-frugal repast was duly washed down with a pleasant bottle of Prosecco ... Well, we could not have been more surely satisfied with both excellent cheffing and waitressing. With the snug warmth of The House's hearth itself, the village visitors' victory over paid-parking promoters ... and the sheer value for money in the fine feast found that evening, our excursion proved a...

The Arboath coastal path is a delight at any time of year but today as we set off there was an atmospheric haar. The sea was flat calm with the exception of the wake made by a boat collecting the creels. Some the fields adjacent to the cliff walk were beautiful seeded with sunflowers, corn flowers, flax and fiddleneck which add colour to the barley fields. The sun came out and it soon hit 26 degrees unusual for Scotlands East Coast. We needed a stop for a coffee and a bite to eat. After a couple of hours walking we reached Auchmithie just in time for the restaurant opening. It was cool and comfortable inside and we received a wonderful greeting from the staff who were very friendly. We were given water whilst we ordered drinks and food which helped the thirst.

The service was excellent and we were served quickly. We had a comfortable spacious table in a corner just away from the main "body o the kirk" which suited us to a T. Very diverse and interesting menu and very reasonably priced. (You wouldn't get that value in Edinburgh) The food was delicious and plenty of it. This is a "must go" if you are on the east coast near Arbroath. We will...

Great restaurant to find at the end of a cliff walk from Arbroath. The staff were friendly and accommodating in a snug environment with log fires. The food was outstanding. We started with Shetland smoked salmon and Shetland mussels. Definately the best salmon we have had in Scotland so far, and the mussels were large and very tasty. Our mains were the Arbroath Smoky, a local delicately smoked haddock and the the Smoky Pancake both delicious. These were served with assorted veg and chips. To finish off we had the Clutie Dumpling and a Chocolate Cake, both with cream, both rich and full of flavour. Given how well we had eaten, it was probably for the best that we had to walk the 7km back...