The Noose & Monkey

Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen

A hint of Hartlepool in Aberdeen

The Noose and Monkey is the new name for what used to be My Father’s Moustache. It was renamed a couple of years ago, long before Angus the monkey was elected Mayor of Hartlepool.

In Napoleonic times a wrecked ship was found with only a pet monkey dressed in a sailor’s uniform left on board. The locals decided that this must be what a Frenchman looked like and attempted to hang the monkey as a spy – not very successfully, as it just held on to the rope with its tail. The story is associated locally with Boddam in the song The Boddamers Hinged the Monkey.

The management of the Noose and Monkey clearly have a Hartlepool connection, however, as there are lots of pieces of Hartlepool memorabilia on display.

The pub itself is on a busy corner facing the central library and only 100 yards from the theatre. Its décor is fairly standard, including a hypnotic, nausea-inducing carpet which many bars seem to favour these days. The upstairs bar offers the usual big- screen TV and quiz nights, and downstairs there is a separate small bar, called Cellar 35, for functions.

On the lunchtime I visited there was a real mix of ages, from families with young children and three old ladies in gossip mode, to some younger guys at the bar. It was the day of the Italy versus Mexico world cup game and the specials board had Mexican bean soup up against an Italian pasta main course – a nice touch.

I went for a Mexican chicken wrap with sour cream and the service was prompt and attentive. The spiral chips which accompanied the wrap were very crispy and tasted a lot like Kettle chips, and the garnish, though it was aimed more at presentation, did consist of an attractive range of fresh vegetables. The wrap was filled with tender well-marinated chicken, green peppers and spices and I admire the fact that the chef had made it extra hot. Too often chilli-spiced food is overly tame. My only reservation would be that the chicken and pepper mix was far too oily, leaving the flour tortilla rather soaked.

The cost of the meal was around five pounds and, as I didn’t clear my plate, that represents good value, as I have a hefty appetite.

QUALITY: 6 out of 10
VALUE:7 out of 10