The Dobson Restaurant

The beauty of the grounds, the welcoming fire blazing in the hall and the stunningly decorated interior of Macdonald Linden Hall Hotel Golf & Country Club had whetted our appetites for dinner at its two-AA-rosette Dobson Restaurant. With a former 'North East Chef of the Year' at the helm, it's safe to say our expectations were high.

The menu was a pleasure to read, but we put ourselves in the capable hands of the chef for the evening and let him surprise us. My delicate salmon starter arrived on a slate looking like a freshly painted picture, while my husband was delighted by the originality of his sardines with charred cucumber, yoghurt and Marmite. Main courses of Highland lamb and breast of corn-fed chicken, each with complementary vegetables and a rich jus were both divine. Impeccably and accountably sourced, perfectly cooked and beautifully presented in a straightforward, unfussy manner, each dish was allowed to speak eloquently for itself.

The Macdonald signature cheese selection presented us with a taste of some seriously good cheeses, while my sweet tooth was suitably sated by a sumptuous dark chocolate tart. Relaxing by the fire with coffee and petits fours before retiring to the luxury of our room, we agreed that dining at The Dobson had exceeded our expectations. Staff were attentive and helpful, the food exquisite and the overall experience was one to treasure. I would recommend booking your table, as it's understandably a popular dining destination