We wish it could be Christmas every day!

Howies Advent Calendar - count down to Christmas!

It is exactly one year. 365 days. that we bought Howies back. We are in shock. Did someone press fast forward on 2012.  Being back in the restaurant business has been madness since day 1 but really are we here jangling and spangling for Xmas fizz and parties already?! Yup.

Of course we aye know Christmas is looming when 2 months ahead you have to plan your menus and order up your festive deliciousness. The butchers face when you order lamb shank by the hundred is a sight to see - I would describe his cheeky wee face as registering sheer delight - unlike any of the sheep family who for obvious reasons have an entirely different opinion of  us cooking and serving their relatives.

Turkey caught running into Howies as no turkey on our  Xmas menu.

This year we have done away with turkey as part of the Christmas offering for the sake of your Mum, Granny or friend who we have no doubt will be beavering away to produce that particularly magnificent bird with all the trimmings for the big day so we don't want you to be  bored of it by the time you roll up with your sack full of presents for a brussel sprout and turkey lurky frenzy.

There are three jolly Howies and each one is decorated individually by the teams there.

Howies Waterloo tree in the entrance hall. Thank you Shereen.

Shereen who was probably one of Santas Elves in a past life loves the baubling and bangling of the festive sparkles.

Looking into Howies Victoria - a sparkly delight. Thank you Jaimmie.

Jaimmie who has turned Victoria Street in a grotto of lights and glittery doo dahs and Angela in Aberdeen who has an altogether more subtle approach with her tinselling but still manages to give us that feeling of a merry christmas ahead.

Sitting back and exhaling briefly as the jingle jangle of Christmas tunes from Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra tinkle gently in the background, the aroma of mulled wine permeates the air and the excited chatter of the staff and customers build it is with a real rosy cheeked feeling of bonhomie that we raise our collective hot toddys to you and yours for your support of Howies and this Diary of A Scottish Restaurant.

 It means a lot that you makes the effort to support your local restaurant during what is undoubtedly a tough economy as lets be honest it really wouldn't be the same without you. So as a wee thank you and to cheer up your wee chops grab a voucher for January when you're in and you can have a 2 course lunch for £7.95 or 2 course dinner for £14.95 to chase away the apres winter blues.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!