The AA ‘Best Seafood Restaurant of the Year for Scotland 2006’

WATERFRONT EATERY IS TOP PLAICE

FIONA MCWHIRTER  The Press & Journal   16:00 - 14 September 2005

A North-east seaside restaurant has netted a whopping catch - a coveted food guide award.

The Tolbooth at Stonehaven harbour has won the title of Best Sea Fish Restaurant in Scotland 2006, winning it a place in the AA Guide.

Robert Cleaver owns and cooks in both The Tolbooth and the town's art deco Carron Restaurant.

Mr Cleaver, 44, who spends his nights flitting between the two eateries on his old fashioned message-boy bike, said: "I think the award came to us for a mixture of reasons.

"We have consistency in the quality of food and great availability of lovely fresh produce.

"I have eight different suppliers specialising in different things, and I make them work for their money.

"I keep the orders small and they sometimes deliver twice a day, so the food is always fresh.

"The price is very reasonable as well. You might get similar quality elsewhere, but not at a similar price."

The AA judges said: "The Tolbooth is supplied with the best fish caught daily."

"It is cooked with flair and integrity and served in the first-floor restaurant which has fine views across the harbour."

Mr Cleaver took over The Tolbooth - upstairs in Stonehaven's oldest building - in 2003 after he and his wife Jacki, 44, moved from the Creel Inn at Catterline. Today he explained he likes to keep things simple to get the customers to the tables.

He said: "We're over the moon about the award, but we don't really go out of our way to win them. What I'm more concerned about is being busy and keeping our customers happy.

The Evening Express, October 2003

“This is the sort of food you take your time over, savouring every morsel.”