New and improved, Old Chain Pier

Old Chain Pier reopens with new decor, friendly service and impressive food

Whatever image and thoughts you had of the Old Chain Pier before May 2012, leave them behind.

Their doors were reopened yesterday after a much needed face lift and we were impressed as soon as we walked through the door. After a warm welcome from the staff in the middle of the afternoon, we found out that they serve the full food menu all day (food served until 9pm, bar snacks served till 10pm).

We took a window seat and read the menu, trying to decide what to have. There are a handful of choices for each course, but all seemed appealing. Starters of soup of the day (two choices, £3.75) and Old Chain chowder, £5.45 grabbed our attention. My dining partner opted for the latter whilst I plumped straight for the steak from the choices of mains. Faced with the option of sirloin or rib eye, I chose the latter, medium-rare. Both steaks are served with portobello mushrooms, onion rings, chips and a choice of sauces from pepper, mushroom & brandy and creamy blue cheese (£10.95).

Other meals on the menu that appealed were: beer battered haddock and chips (£8.95), steak pie (£7.95),  lamb and apricot burger (£7.45) and a falafel and halloumi burger (£6.95).

The only vegetarian choices we could see was a lasagna and nachos, so perhaps lacking a little for the non-meat eaters out there.

Watching the rain come in over the Forth

Even on a rainy day like today, we loved the views over the Firth of Forth from the large windows. They must be stunning on a sunny day, or you could time your visit perfectly on a summer evening when the sun sets over Fife.

Our food arrived together (as requested) and my partner’s chowder was packed full of smoked haddock and prawns. The starter dish also came with bread and butter and was practically a meal in itself.

Packed chowder

My steak was cooked perfectly and the meat very tender, but the sauce was a little on the runny side for my liking. Not wanting to waste anything, I asked for some bread to soak up the sauce and my plate was handed back to the kitchen completely clean.

Rib eye steak with blue cheese sauce

We had certainly been impressed so far and although we weren’t left hungry, we did manage to find room for one of their desserts. It was a toss up between the brioche bread and butter pudding (£4.95) and the banana and hazelnut pancakes with toffee sauce (£4.75). The pancakes won and the portion was on the large side.

The bananas had been baked/fried and the hazelnuts and toffee sauce combination was to die for. It turns out the pancake was actually a crepe and was a tiny bit burnt on the edges, but it didn’t detract from the taste at all. Another clean plate heading back to the kitchen from us.

Banana crepes, hazelnut and toffee sauce

Considering it was only their second food service since opening, we were had been pleasantly surprised with what had been dished up.

We had some more drinks after our meal and left as the pub was getting busy with inquisitive locals checking out the new place for themselves.

Children are welcome in the bar (children’s menu available) and there are highchairs for little ones.

The conservatory area through the back was warm and cosy despite the cold weather. There’s a mixture of tables, chairs and sofas, all with views of the water.

Once the Old Chain Pier find their feet, we think they will provide serious competition to the neighbouring Starbank Inn. With the demise of the Peacock Inn, the newcomers on the Newhaven block have brought good quality pub food at reasonable prices to the area.

Information

Old Chain Pier, 32 Trinity Crescent, Edinburgh, EH5 3ED. Telephone 0131 552 4960.

Currently no website, therefore we are unsure of exact opening hours.

The business card only says “Peter Ross – Billy Ross”.

Wi-fi is coming soon.

Suitable for disabled? Yes, the main bar area and conservatory are on the ground floor but the bathrooms are down a set of three steps.

“Take your time at the old chain pier, but haste ye back”

Note: We normally visit a place twice before we review it, but felt that this one should be shared immediately. We will return in due course and amend our score/update if necessary.

Another meal at Edinburgh’s first supper club

We have been lucky enough to dine at Charlie and Evelyn’s Table before. You can only imagine our excitement when we were invited by friends to a ‘chef’s table’ experience last weekend.

Since Chris and Rachel Rowley last hosted a supper club night, they’ve not only moved to a new home, but also have a new addition to the family.

Almost two years on from their first supper for the public, the husband and wife team still ooze enthusiasm, creating different menus to share with food lovers across our culinary rich city. And, there’s no catch. All you’ll find at Charlie and Evelyn’s Table is the sort of service you’d be hard pressed to find in some Edinburgh restaurants, partnered with exquisite food and served on Chris’ grandparents, Charlie and Evelyn’s, table.

The couple cater, without fuss, for dietary requirements and strong food dislikes, to arrive at a fixed menu which suits all guests’ tastes. Our party was a prime example of this with allergies, dislikes and an intolerance to wheat to take into account.

Dunsyre blue cheese mousse on buttery oat biscuits

Arrival

Taking shelter from the fierce Edinburgh winds, eight of us were warmly welcomed into Chris and Rachel’s Comely Bank home, with a glass of champagne, and delicious canapes of spiced mushrooms and a delicious home-made buttery oat biscuit, topped with Dunsyre blue cheese mousse. This only whetted our appetite for what was still to come.

The food

Sitting at a table that could make many a mouth water, we continued our culinary experience with an amuse bouche of curried parsnip soup, garnished with an apple crisp, presented delicately in an espresso cup. It was hard to fathom how something presented so delicately could deliver such intensity of flavour.

As the starter arrived, the aroma of home-made soda bread filled the room. This accompanied a delicious winter salad of seasonal squash, served with rocket, Dunsyre blue and delicately flavoured with rosemary.

Just as we thought my meal couldn’t get any better, the star of the show arrived, venison wellington. As any food lover knows, wellingtons of any description are incredibly difficult to get right. With the threat of soggy pastry and meat that could either be over or underdone, it takes a most accomplished cook to attempt this dish. And in silence, we ate what could only be described as accomplished. Served with caramelised red cabbage and green beans, the whole dish could be summed up in one word  –  perfection!

Seasonal squash, served with rocket, Dunsyre blue and delicately flavoured with rosemary

Rounding off the savoury with something sweet is always the best way to end a meal. A dessert of baked chocolate pudding, hazelnuts and ice cream was served on stylish slate plates (which we later found out came from Chris’ parent’s roof). The combination of the warm chocolate pudding, and ice cream, with crunchy hazelnuts, left us speechless as we devoured our puddings. And it didn’t end there as we were presented with macaroons from local favourite Patisserie Madeleine, to accompany our after dinner coffee.

The cost

Considering the standard of the food served, the suggested donation of £25 per person is hard to digest. A meal of this calibre in certain Edinburgh eateries would cost a great deal more, and it’s highly unlikely you would receive the same level of service, and have your glass topped up all night long. Using only seasonal and local produce where possible (including Stockbridge legends Armstrongs and George Bowers), the best advice we could give you would be do everything you can to get a seat, at this truly wonderful table.

Contact

Email rachelandchrisrowley (at) gmail (dot) com to be placed on their mailing list and to be notified when there are new places available.  Chris and Rachel still work on trust with their diners, no tickets required to book, just a ‘donation’ on the night which is done at the end of the evening into an envelope with the coffees.

Dessert to die for

You can read their blog which also has entries on past dining events and delicious recipes.

The couple are also on twitter – @Charlie_Evelyn and  on Facebook for those that don’t tweet.

Catering

Chris and Rachel have supplied canapés for numerous events in recent months (both corporate and prviate) and even fully catered for a wedding in the summer.

If you have a special event that you would like them to cater for, drop them an email to discuss.

You can also read their most frequently asked questions.

If you are slightly nervous what to expect at an Edinburgh supper club, please read our previous post which covers arrival, seating and how it’s perfectly acceptable to dine on your own and make new friends.

Edinburgh secret supper clubs

There are several supper clubs in Edinburgh now – it certainly seems to be the new ‘eating out’ and we’re determined to get round them all. Dates vary, but spaces tend to go fast for all clubs, so don’t delay in reserving your spot at the table you want. Some hosts ask you to book tickets in advance (leaving a small ‘donation’ to pay on the night) and some require full payment.

Here are the links to the other supper clubs hosting in Edinburgh at the moment (and coming soon).

Kitchen Porters – email kitchenports@yahoo.co.uk to be placed on their mailing list and notified of new dates.

My Home Supper – you can also find the club on twitter and on facebook

Crescent Dining – also on twitter

Inside out chef –  also on twitter

Table for ten – also on twitter and on facebook

Chai Lounge – Edinburgh’s first Indian supper club. Also on twitter and on facebook

Avant Edinburgh – coming early 2012

Venison Wellington with caramelised red cabbage

Photos courtesy Chris and Rachel Rowley.

The Pommery Bar

The Signet Library plays host to the Pommery Bar throughout the city’s most celebrated season

The Signet Library is an ideal location to meet friends or colleagues during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with its impressive surroundings and beautiful architectural details.

We couldn’t wait to see inside the new pop-up champagne bar, so booked in for afternoon tea on the opening day. The venue is run by Edinburgh company Heritage Portfolio who have also struck a deal with Pommery for the venture.

We were warmly welcomed by the staff to a table with our name on a card (it’s the little things). My companion had not been inside the building before and was immediately struck with its sheer beauty and elegance. The books in this working library are subtly cordoned off and the magnificent ceiling can be viewed as you eat and drink via the mirrored tables.

Pommery reflections

The staff are extremely welcoming and took our order with a genuine smile. We opted for the full afternoon tea with champagne (£19) but held onto the menu for further perusal. A 100ml glass of Pommery Brut Royal will set you back £7 (£39 for a bottle) with a bottle of the  top of the range Pommery Prestige Cuvée Louise, 1999 at £115 a bottle.

As we waited on our afternoon tea, we noted that the hustle and bustle of the Fringe outside could not be heard at all, making the Pommery Bar a peaceful haven in the heart of Edinburgh’s Festival area. The easy-listening music set a relaxing tone as we took in the sumptous surroundings.

Our glass of champagne was poured at our table and the tier of sandwiches and cakey-treats were eyed up with delight.  Freshly-made sandwiches hit the savoury mark and were swiftly followed by a selection of tarts, cakes, brownies and cupcakes that had been lovingly made that day by Ruthvens of Edinburgh. No complaints from us as we slowly ate the treats, all of which were washed down with lashings of tea (or coffee).

Without the champagne, the afternoon tea costs £13 which is very reasonable for the location and quality delivered and is available every afternoon between 2pm and 6pm.

As the daylight fades,  the Pommery Bar is transformed into an evening venue with some simple mood lighting.  The food menu continues with a selection of oysters, seafood stands and light bites such as bread with dipping oils and marinated olives. There are 7 wines by the glass to choose from and they range in price from £3.50 for 125ml to £22 per bottle.  A selection of spirits are available as well as bottled beers and ciders. A Peroni will cost you £3.60 and a Magners £3.50 making the prices in the Pommery Bar extremely competitive in comparison to nearby pubs and bars.

Freshly baked treats

Soft drinks and coffees are also available from the 11am opening and are around the £2 mark.

Heritage Portfolio have successfully transformed one of Edinburgh’s most magnificent venues into a beautiful must-visit venue for both Edinburgh locals and visitors.

Information:

The Pommery Bar is open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 11pm and Sundays 12.30pm – 11pm until 29th August 2011.  Reservations can be made on 0131 225 0652.

More information about the venue can be found on the Signet Library website.

You can find the bar on twitter @PommeryBar and you can also now download some excellent VIP vouchers from the website.

Children are welcome into the Pommery Bar at all times.

There is no dress code. Smart-casual comfortable Fringe clothes are fine, making it a perfect venue for before or after a show.

Suitable for disabled? Yes the bar area is on the ground level and completely accessible and there is a bathroom for disabled use on the ground floor.

Inside the Pommery Bar

We do love dining out at Edinburgh Spotlight and have a whole section dedicated to eating out. Edinburgh is well served by a host of fine places to eat, drink and relax.  With more pubs and bars per square mile than anywhere else in Europe, it enjoys a varied and exciting nightlife, whilst those who enjoy all kinds of cuisine will find a restaurant to suit any taste.

And if you’re pushed for time, there is a fabulous selection of cafes and takeaways that will help fill you up if you’re in a hurry.

During the busy festival period in August, restaurants can be extremely busy and if you want to dine at a specific place,  it would be sensible to book ahead. Also take into account that the Military Tattoo runs nightly at 9pm (7.30pm and 10.00pm on Saturdays) and many people choose to dine before they head up to the castle.  Try dining around 6pm, or after 8.30pm to avoid the busiest times.

The majority of the Fringe venues have their own bars and cafes supplying food and drink between shows, but we understand that someone people want to experience good food at local places whilst they’re in town and avoid being handed flyers as they eat.

Tea Tree Tea, Bread Street

Need a drink and a quick bite to eat?

Look no further than our recommended Tea Tree Tea in Bread Street.  Drew, Jamie and the team always warmly welcome tourists amongst their regulars.  A wide selection of drinks alongside fresh soups, salads and paninis are offered with an amazing range of cakes (gluten free choices available).  They also have fast reliable wifi to check out the latest festival news and reviews.  Open early until 9.30pm every day (8pm Sundays).

Around the corner on Lothian Road, there is the excellent Illegal Jacks who offers fresh tex mex food at reasonable prices.  Allow the friendly staff to help you select your ‘weapon’ and munch your way to happiness through one of their excellent burritos and quesadillas or tuck into their sizzling fajitas. Their vintage chilli has been taking Edinburgh by storm recently.

In the centre of town we recommend Fredericks Cafe. A friendly welcome awaits for a spot of breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea at reasonable prices. Free wifi.

Looking for a curry in a hurry?   Look no further than the excellent Kebab Mehal in Nicolson Street.  You may have to a share a table as you eat their halal dishes, but it’s a foody experience not to be missed in town.  The best Malaysian in Edinburgh has to be the neighbouring Kampong Ah Lee, which also offers an informal dining experience.

Prefer a more relaxing meal?

In the town centre, we recommend Urban Angel who have branches at Hanover Street and Forth Street. They only use local, organic, free-range and fairly traded produce.

Our current favourite Indian restaurant in town is the Spice Pavilion in the New Town.  Serving excellent food with a genuine smile in sumptuous Indian surroundings, you will not be disappointed.

Indian delights at Spice Pavilion

Avoca in Stockbridge has consistently good food and a warm local feel, as does their sister restaurant near the Botanical Gardens, The Orchard.   Another Stockbridge gem is The Saint in St Stephen Street who offer top notch food at very reasonable prices.

A short walk from Haymarket sees some of Edinburgh’s favourite restaurants.  Italian food galore at La Partenope and across the road, First Coast always delivers.

A slight longer walk or bus ride from town, but well worth the journey are a couple of Leith favourites.  Tony Crolla will warmly welcome you to La Favorita for any meal occasion and in true Italian style, families are well catered for.  Their log-fired pizza is the best in Edinburgh.  The Roseleaf in Sandport Place is a bar, but their food is tremendous. They also offer ‘pot tails’ which is alcoholic drinks served in tea pots!

Fine dining

There’s a wonderful selection of fine dining places in Edinburgh and we recommend the recently opened Mark Greenaway at 12 Picardy Place. Another newbie that’s taking the Edinburgh food scene by storm is Martin Wishart’s Brasserie – The Honours.

Put simply, Edinburgh provides a feast of food and drink for locals and visitors alike.

Bon appetit!

Mark Greenaway's Dornoch Lamb

Burger

Does the Cambridge Bar offer the best burger in Edinburgh?

We’ve been eating burgers at the Cambridge Bar for as long as we can remember, but decided to head backnd a check that they were still one of the best to be found in Edinburgh.

With the weather cold and drizzly, we couldn’t wait to get our chops round one of their excellent burgers that they have  become so famous for.

My dining partner and I both couldn’t see past the classic burger (that comes with lettuce, tomato, red onion, mayo and relish as a matter of course)  topped with melted Roquefort cheese (£7.75).  The special of the day was a lamb burger and new to their menu is a steak sandwich and with a couple of vegetarian options, there really is something for everyone. You can even have your burger without the bun and served with a choice of salad.

Food is now served until 10pm at the Cambridge and Monday-Wednesday you can ‘upgrade’ your meal to include chips and a pint of soft drink for an extra £2.50.

The burgers were freshly cooked and delivered to our table with a smile.  We couldn’t wait to tuck into the meaty 7oz  burger, but a quick peek under the roll revealed that the Roquefort hadn’t melted sufficiently.  Despite it being a generous portion of blue cheese, we both would have preferred it dripping off the exquisitely cooked chunk of Borders beef.  The burger itself left no room for complaint and the accompanying chips were served in a warm cup and hit the mark.

It was a working lunch meeting, so no alcohol passed our lips on this occasion, but the Cambridge does do an amazing selection of beers and wines which are worth a visit alone. Desserts are the of the waffles and brownies selection and all are served with Mackies ice cream.

A short hop from George Street

There was barely an empty table at lunch time as the place was full of business people, families with kids and the odd tourist or two.  The decor is a little worn and I faced a hole in the wall as I ate, but the food is most definitely good and staff welcoming

Is it the best burger in Edinburgh?  Full marks for the specially baked burger bun and for the tender meat sandwiched in between, but if you’re serving a burger with any kind of cheese,  you need to make sure it’s melted completely.  The Cambridge Bar certainly offers seriously impressive burgers with the added bonus you can now get them all day long.

Information:

20 Young Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4JB

You can also find them on facebook and on twitter.  Burgers are available to take-out.

Suitable for disabled? Yes, but if you enter via Young Street and take a table there, you wouldn’t be able to access the toilets that are at the back of the premises (up a few steps).  Enter via Young Street Lane South and take one of the tables there, you will be on the same level as the bathrooms.

Coffee Angel

No office to work from in Edinburgh?   Why not try one of these places in town.

Part of our job at Edinburgh Spotlight is to bring our readers reviews and interviews from around town.  Although we primarily work from home, we do venture outside every day to see what’s new on the streets of Edinburgh and have meetings with people we’re featuring.    

Edinburgh has an amazing selection of food-related workspaces to choose from, but here are some of our favourites.  All of the suggestions have fast secure wi-fi, a relaxed working atmosphere and most importantly, decent food and drinks.  Each place mentioned is link to its full review.   

Great working space

Tea Tree Tea, Bread Street, Fountainbridge   

A firm favourite of ours. Jamie and Drew  welcome anyone that chooses to spend time in their cafe. Tourists and locals are greeted with a smile for hearty breakfasts, lunches, tea and a dose of banter. Downstairs can be reserved for groups and/or meetings whilst the upstairs tables are perfect for laptop/iPad working. Tea Tree Tea is very much our in-town headquarters.   

Coffee Angel, Brandon Terrace   

The excellent Coffee Angel is our local ‘office’ and one we just can’t get enough of. The staff provide excellent customer service as they serve a delicious range of drinks and food. Tables and chairs sit at the right height for working over lunch, or relax back and catch up on reading in one of the leather chairs. Be warned though – trying to resist a sweet-treat to go with a coffee is impossible.   

Fredericks Coffee House, Frederick Street   

A relative newcomer, is the wonderful Fredericks Coffee House. Grab a window seat that looks up to Ramsay Gardens and watch the world go by in Frederick Street. Housed with perfect sized tables for working and meetings, it’s a relaxed atmosphere to get on with some work as you tuck into a range of salads and hearty soups. Thanks to their recent hand-made cake additions, this is fast-becoming more of an interviewing place for us. Perfect for sinking into their Chesterfield sofa and catch up with your online feeds.   

Loudons

Loudon’s Cafe and Bakery, Fountainbridge  

Another newcomer, Loudons Cafe and Bakery is light and airy and already a busy place for workers with its capacity of 70 people. Serving an excellent menu throughout the day (with goods all baked and made on-site) this venue goes that one bit further and allows you to print documents.      

So the next time you read one of our articles, or  look at a photo on facebook, there’s every chance that we’ve published them whilst sitting in one of the above cafes.  All of them all feature on our Edinburgh Cake Trail.   

If you’ve got a favourite workspace in Edinburgh, please let us know in the comments below.

Treacle Bar and Kitchen, Broughton Street 

By Chiarra Panozzo 

It seems that some people get everything right. In the case of the good folks that brought us Hamilton’s in Stockbridge, it comes in the form of Treacle. Situated at the top of Edinburgh’s fashionable Broughton Street, Treacle has become a firm favourite with locals, lured by their ample drinks list, good food, and an atmosphere other Edinburgh bars wish could be bottled and sold. 

Upon entering Treacle, it’s hard not to feel trendy. With the exposed brick walls and pop art feature areas, the decor is reminiscent of Hamilton’s, but with a more intimate feel. The menu is varied and affordable, with starters, mains and deserts ranging from £6 to £10.  Incorporating food from the length and breadth of the globe, you would be hard pressed not to find something to satisfy your appetite. 

Steak pie

I opted for the organic steak and ale pie with home cut chips (£8.95), whilst my dining partner veered to the other side of the continent with his choice of crispy chilli beef noodles with honey and sesame (£8.95.) The first thing that struck me as our plates arrived was the unique presentation of our food. The steak pie was served on a wooden board, with the chips oh so coolly presented in a stainless steel pail. They say you eat with your eyes, and this theme was to continue as my dining partners noodles were served in a quirky New York style box, looking just as good as they do on the TV. 

Chilli Beef Noodles

As we dived in, our lack of conversation was not the result of nothing to say, but rather due to sheer enjoyment of the wonderful food. My steak pie had a glorious crust, and oozed with sumptuous pieces of steak in a wonderfully rich gravy. The chips were thick cut and crispy, the perfect accompaniment to the pie. I washed this down with a large glass of Pinot Grigio Rose wine (£4.90) which was sharp and refreshing. 

My partner’s noodles were strewn with soft slices of battered beef, before being dressed with sesame seeds and soy sauce. The noodles were perfectly cooked, with just the right amount of chilli to accompany the dish. Add to this a pint of Staropramen (£3.80) and I had one very happy dining partner. 

I unfortunately don’t have an ever expanding stomach and was too full to order dessert. However, my dining partner’s pudding had me loosening off my trousers and asking for another spoon. Belgian waffles, lathered in nutella, served with ice cream and strawberries. This dessert was truly a thing to behold and even by our greedy standards, it was polished off in record time. 

After leaving a very happy, if not gluttonous customer, I couldn’t help but think that this establishment really has got everything right. Good food, a great selection of drinks and excellent customer service, I think there is very little more you could ask for. 

Delicious desserts

Suitable for disabled?  The bar is accessed by a small step down into the bar, however the doors are narrow, which may prove a little troublesome for wheelchair users. Inside the premises, the toilets are on the ground level.

Carrot and cinnamon cake from Patisserie Jacob

Like cake?  Then Edinburgh is the place for you.

*updated April 2012*

Edinburgh is home to many wonderful cafes and cake shops and we love sampling them so that we can advise you the best places to enjoy a sweet treat.

The following suggestions are in no particular order of preference, but have been grouped together by area of town.  As you will see, we have visited every single suggestion and reviewed it, so click on the links to get location details and our thoughts on the cafes.

However, if you are visiting town and can only manage a few, then our personal favourites are:

1.  Mimi’s Bakehouse Situated in Leith, book ahead for weekend visits.

2.  Bon Papillon Howe Street, New Town

3.  Clarinda’s Tea Room Lower section of the Royal Mile.

The Trail begins

Starting off with my local favourites, we have Muffins at Goldenacre and  Moo Cafeteria at Canonmills.   The neighbouring Circle Cafe does a wonderful carrot cake and completing the choices on Brandon Terrace is the fabulous Coffee Angel.  Round the corner in Dundas Street you have Cuckoo’s Bakery where cupcakes are baked daily on the premises.  Moving in the other direction towards town, there is the Russian Passion Cafe who do a selection of Russian desserts.

In London Street, the French Fancies is keeping the cake lovers of Edinburgh happy with their French offerings which are all baked on the premises.

On the Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile, you have the choice of Clarinda’s Tea Room and Forsyth’s who offer old style home baking.  Although not a cake shop, the Fudge Kitchen on the Royal Mile is definitely worth a visit, as is nearby Lickety Splits.

The Scotch Whisky Experience at the top of the Royal Mile is a great place for coffee and cake (also great value for the location).  On nearby George IV Bridge, the Cellar Door Patisserie has a German chef who creates cake masterpieces alongside truffles and chocolates.

Cafe Blush welcomes you with cake

Also in the centre of town is Spoon Cafe and their carrot cake is a personal favourite of mine with its lime frosting.  A little further south in Newington you can die and go to chocolate heaven at Choco Latte or choose one of the Grind House Cafe’s excellent cakes.   Nearby you can visit Anteaques in South Clerk Street for the most unique tea and scone experience amidst chandeliers and bagatelle boards.

Whilst in the Newington area – why not pop over to Tea at 94 on Buccleuch Street, we love it in there.

Peter’s Yard at the Quartermile is worth a trip for a Swedish take on cakes and the views from Debenhams on Princes Street cannot be beaten, but the offerings are not the best.    Pick a window seat at Fredericks Coffee House on nearby Frederick Street, you can watch the world go by over tea and cake.     One street over, there is Bibi’s Cake Boutique which offers a variety of cupcakes for take-away only.  Directly opposite is I Love Candy – a retro sweet shop.

In Fountainbridge, Loudon’s Cafe and Bakery has its bakery on the premises, rustling up all kinds of cakey goods (gluten free available).  At Tollcross, Cafe Ruby does a great selection of homemade cakes and try out The Tree House further up the street.  Their cakes are mouth wateringly delicious (the Victoria Sponge portion is huge) and moving South to the Bruntsfield area, my current favourite is the Chocolate Tree.  I find it better value than the nearby Falko Konditormeister, but both are excellent choices.

Also in Morningside is Cafe Blush who welcome you with an array of cakes.

Ex-tea-mernate cosie at Loopy Lorna's

Stockbridge choices for cake include Leo’s Beanery and Bon Papillion in Howe Street and Madeleine’s patisserie and espresso bar. A little bit East in the Broughton area see The French Fancies serving up home-made French tarts and macarons.

Porto & Fi at Newhaven is another excellent choice for a cake break and the recently opened The Haven is one of our current favourites. Along the road in Leith,  favourites include Cafe Truva and The Roseleaf.

Mimi’s Bakehouse on The Shore always delivers in quality (and quantity)  and I couldn’t write this article without mentioning the fabulous Sicilian Pastry shop in Albert Street and the Manna House on Easter Road.

In Gorgie, look no further than Patisserie Jacob which is amazing quality at reasonable prices.  Out of town, the meringues and other puddings at the Forth Rail Bistro are worth travelling for and have the added bonus of wonderful views.

Cupcake businesses

If those selections haven’t make your mouth water and head out the door, you can always order cupcakes online from Edinburgh companies Rainbow Cupcakes, Lizzie’s Tea Party and Cupcake and Ribbons. All three of these companies also supply cupcakes in cafes around town and details are listed in their articles.

Bon Papillion orange cake

The French Fancies

Have you got somewhere I should to add to my list? Please let me know in the comments below.

View from outside area at Skybar

Views to die for

Thursday 24th February 2011 is the date you should mark in your diary to try out the exciting new Sky Bar at The Point Hotel, Edinburgh.

From 6pm until midnight, you can enjoy uninterrupted views of Edinburgh Castle through the floor to ceiling windows on the penthouse floor.

The Sky Bar will subsequently be held on the last Thursday of every month throughout the year and has a capacity of 90 people.   Having visited the new bar this evening, we think it’s going to be hard to ever leave the stunning space and views behind.

The drinks menu contains some wonderful cocktails such as the classic cosmopolitan (£6.50) to house cocktails such as ‘Flying High in the Friendly Sky’ (£7.00).  There is also a selection of premiums spirits, beers and wine  on offer.  Prices are in line with other stylish central Edinburgh bars – though they can’t boast such a stunning view.

Aimed at corporate customers and city dwellers, the Sky Bar provides live jazz music which doesn’t dominate over conversation.  This evening’s music was provided by The Midas Touch and proved to be popular with the guests.  The Sky Bar has been styled by Danish furniture and design store BoConcept Glasgow and features some of their stunning  low slung Mezzo sofas, tables and iconic Imola chairs

We spoke with the Point Hotel’s General Manager Ronald Little this evening and he said:  “I am pleased to be part of this exciting new Sky Bar.  The view is completely unique and is sure to have people return monthly to enjoy the whole experience”.  We couldn’t agree more.

The Sky Bar is also available for private functions.  You can find the Point Hotel on Facebook and Twitter.

Opening hours:  last Thursday of every month throughout 2011, 6pm – midnight.

24th February, 31st March, 28th April, 26th May, 30th June, 28th July, 25th August, 29th September, 27th October, 24th November, 29th December (TBC).

Suitable for disabled?  Yes, access to the Sky Bar is via a lift on the ground floor of the hotel.

Christmas meals in Edinburgh

We love dining out at Edinburgh Spotlight and have selected some of our favourite restaurants around town for a Christmas meal.  This list is by no means exhaustive, just a wide selection of suggestions, all of which we have eaten at in the past.  

The dates on which Christmas meals are served from differ with some available from end of November and some during December only.  

The lower of the two prices detailed is for lunch and the higher price is for dinner (some exceptions)  Please check with the restaurant’s website direct as they can change information and prices.  

Edinburgh Spotlight will be having lunch at a few of those listed below as soon as they start and will report back on our findings.   

Gusto  George Street     £21-£26 –  menu          Review added 2nd December 2010

The Saint  St Stephen Street       £15 lunch menu  £19 dinner menu  

The Spice Pavilion   Dundas Street     £20 menu     £20 Christmas Day       Review added

Chez Jules  Hanover Street     £9.90 lunch menu  from £13 dinner menu  

Pierre Victoire   New Town   from £16 lunch and dinner menu    Xmas day menu  

Cafe Marlayne    Thistle Street, Fleshmarket Close and Antigua Street   £20 for three courses   

Rick’s   Central  £23.95 lunch menu £27.95 dinner menu and private dining deals for groups  

Calistoga Rest  Rose Street North Lane    From £16 lunch  £25 dinner  & £50 Christmas day   

New York Steam Packet Rose Street North Lane        £18.95 menu  

La Favorita      Leith Walk   Sun – Thurs £24  Fri – Sat £30   menu  

The LOT  Grassmarket  from £22.50  

L’ Artichaut   (vegetarian)    Eyre Place  from £9.50 lunch  £15 dinner  

Roseleaf   Leith    from £20 menu   (£25 for the ‘full shebang’)  

Howies   Victoria Street, Bruntsfield, Waterloo Place £20 – £28     menu  

Angels With Bagpipes    High Street  from  £18 lunch  £25 dinner  

The Rutland Hotel   West End  £27 – £30  menu  

The Cellar Door    George IV Bridge      (menu coming soon but food is great)  

The Orchard Bar    Inverleith  £22 – £26 menu  

21212   Royal Terrace    £110 Christmas Day menu  

Ondine  George IV Bridge    £40  menu  

Please leave your suggestions or experiences in the comments section below.  If you are a restaurant, please email us the information we need and it can be added to the article.  

Let someone else do the cooking

Restaurateur Tony Crolla would have been excused for sitting back and enjoying the ubiquitous appreciation for his Vittoria restaurants that the Edinburgh dining community deservedly lavishes upon him and his team. Not content to do this however, the chain has expanded to the popular La Favorita pizza restaurant in Leith and the modern A Taste of Italy at the top of the Walk. The latter, won particular favour with this reviewer for serving incredibly affordable and yet very real food late into the night all through this year’s Fringe.

Divino Enoteca (photo: Holyrood Partnership)

The latest offering Crolla brings to Edinburgh is the Divino Enoteca – situated in the sophisticated basement space on Merchant Street, directly below the George IV Bridge Vittoria. Divino is an Italian Wine Bar (or Enoteca) which with the help of modern technology will serve a menu of over 200 wines many of which are exclusive and rare vintages. Headed by Sommelier Sebastiano Ingaliso the Divino team are keen to make accessible the variety, subtlety and depth of Italy’s wines to Edinburgh’s happy sippers. As well as the ambitious range of fine wine on offer, the bar will serve a menu of Italian delectables to compliment the tasting experience.

A chic bar specialising in wine and serving well-selected accompanying food is one thing – what sets Divino apart is the Enomatic wine machine. This state-of-the-art piece of technology is only the second in the country and the first in Scotland. Looking like something one might find on the flight deck of a Sci-Fi spaceship; the Enomatic is a cylindrical table-sized unit within which bottles of wine are arrayed behind glass, pouring nozzles protruding and flashing LED screens above each bottle.

Using Nitrogen gas the machine keeps wine from deteriorating after even the smallest glass has been taken from each bottle. This way every drop is tasted at the optimum temperature and oxidisation. If this wasn’t exciting enough the Enomatic dispenses three different volumes (and prices) of wine – in rather a coffee machine style – from each bottle. Allowing one to taste the bottle for as little as £1.20 or to take a glass for prices ranging from £3 to £18 (specified clearly by that LED display). And it is this sampling facility which is what makes the Divino experience so revolutionary. This is fine wine for everyone. Even on a tight budget, one can taste several bottles of wine which would previously be out of one’s financial reach and then settle on a full 125ml/175ml glass for about the same spend as a bottle of mediocre mega-vineyard plonk in the local chain pub.

A further example of the team’s admirable endeavour to marry quality with value is the deliciously crisp single vineyard Prosecco priced at a seductive £4.50 a glass. Ingaliso did hint that the Enomatic might be hosting several sparkling offerings by this Christmas – a scenario which is truly tantalising!

Divino Enoteca (photo: Holyrood Partnership)

The nature of the Enomatic will also allow Ingaliso the flexibility to select a range of wines for tasting which could reflect, for example, a journey through Italy’s regions or the diversity within just one region or within one grape variety. This focus on leading the customer through the wine-tasting experience is further evident in the 14-seat wine education room which is available to book. This particular potential for private parties and corporate entertaining makes a refreshing change from the other sort of hospitality which often goes on in Edinburgh basements.

Focusing on their carefully selected wines will not mean that only liquid titillation will be on offer at Divino – Crolla and Ingaliso have been at least as diligent in selecting the best that Italy and Scotland have to offer in terms of antipasti. The centre-piece of the food menu is the Il Grande Antipasto Divino plate at £14.50 and will feature vegetables, pate and bread as well as the traditional cured meats and cheeses one would expect. As with all the food at Divino, the excellent selection of antipasti has been chosen to represent the best in Italian regional flavours but also to complement the wines on offer – and judging by the delicious Spec, olives and Taleggio tasted at the launch party the nibbling experience will be as flavoursome and as accessible as the wine.

So, for those of us wanting to educate our palette and to excite our eager taste buds, without spending the fortune Edinburgh’s top-end hospitality institutions often require, Divino will be a welcome drop of innovation onto the taste scene.

By Emily P

The Alexander Graham Bell, opening Friday 4th June 2010

Another Wetherspoon pub is opening in George Street tomorrow – The Alexander Graham Bell.  Situated at the West End of the street, sees this fair-priced pub sell all the usual Wetherspoon food and drink including the very popular steak and curry clubs.

It is situated in very handy location for a quick coffee, or bite to eat at lunch and means you can drink in George Street without breaking the bank.

128 George Street

George Street, Edinburgh

Suitable for disabled?  Ground level access and fully accessible bathrooms.

99 Hanover Street

Unbelievably cheap lunch in the heart of Edinburgh city centre.

Updated January 2011.  This offer is still available between 12 and 2pm Monday to Friday. 

Update February 27th

Even though the 99p selection still appears on the new menu, it appears that this offer is not available at the moment, so check with venue before going.

As I walked past 99 Hanover Street a couple of weeks ago, I had to glance at the sandwich board twice after reading the words ‘lunch for 99p’.  There didn’t seem to be any catch, even soft drinks were priced at 99p.  Intrigued (read nosey) I wandered inside with my friend and had a lovely lunch where the quality of the food was faultless despite the bargain price.  We took our time and enjoyed some wine with our meal (not 99p) which is maybe where they begin to make profit.  

Today I ventured back for the second visit so I could give it a proper rating and am pleased to report that the food quality and service came up trumps again.  

The menu changes weekly so you don’t have to repeat your choices.  

Bargain lunch

Today I chose the black pudding and red onion sauce for 99p, the coley with curried carrot for 99p and a cranachan dessert –  for you’ve guessed it, 99p.   

Black pudding and red onion jam

Coley and curried carrot

Cranachan parfait

The black pudding and red onion sauce was a very tasty starter and the coley and curried carrot was heavenly in both taste and size.  The cranachan hit the mark on such a sunny day and I relaxed for a while longer in the sumptuous surroundings of the bar.    

99 Hanover Street is buzzing at the weekend with a DJ, but this current lunch deal makes it hands down the best value food in central Edinburgh.   

Wifi is available, so you can use the bar work in, or just watch the world go by from the huge arm chair in the front window.   

Suitable for disabled?   Yes, ground level access and fully accessible toilet on ground floor.

Updated January 2011 – 99 Hanover Street have also started a tuckshop.  What a great idea!  See the menu below.

Pic courtesy of venue

Avoca, Dean Street

Avoca in Dean Street, Stockbridge is my local restaurant and bar of choice.  I live half-way between here and its’ sister restaurant and bar, The Orchard which we recently reviewed.  They have a mixture of seating including stools at the bar, normal tables and chairs at the rear (which can be booked for private functions) and sofas in the main section.  

Their weekend brunch menu is to die for and is served ‘until we run out’ which makes it possible to munch on a full breakfast at 4pm on a Sunday afternoon.  My personal favourite is the pancake stack with bacon and maple syrup, £6.50 which always hits the mark if I’ve had a ‘late one’ the night before.  

Staff are super friendly and efficient here and remember those who have been in previously.  If it’s not too busy, you will be served at your table for drinks as well, which makes it a very relaxed experience if you bag one of the super-comfy leather sofas whilst reading the complimentary papers.  

This review covers a recent lunch, where I took a while to decide from the menu with has a wide range of comfort food alongside special dishes with enough variety to suit every one’s taste.  I opted for the large fish in beer batter, peas and hand-chips, £9 whilst my dining partner chose the nachos with chilli, £8.50.  

Whilst we were waiting on the food, we were automatically served iced water with lemon, alongside a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and a pint of beer we ordered.  

Light and fluffy fish

The fish was extremely light and fluffy and I was given extra tartar sauce to smother over this fishy delight.  The hand-cut chips really hit the mark in both taste and portion size.  They were smaller cut than normal, but still as tasty.  

My dining partner delved into his nachos and chilli leaving no corn chip uneaten and he was more than satisfied with the quality.  

For dessert, the pear and almond tart with creme with vanilla ice cream and rich chocolate and mascarpone cheesecake, also with ice cream were ordered, £4 each.  The warm tart was heavenly and worked well with the half of the chocolate cheesecake I was given   I’ve never had a bad dessert at Avoca and everything is lovingly made on the premises.  

Mouth-watering desserts

Verdict?   Consistently good food at reasonable prices, with excellent service and relaxed atmosphere.  

Suitable for disabled?  Yes, ground floor access and bathrooms on ground level, although are quite small for manoeuvring wheelchairs.  

Food served Monday – Thursday 12pm – 2.30pm and 6pm – 8.30pm.  Friday – Sunday 12pm – 7.15pm.  

Friendly Stockbridge bar

The Orchard Bar is a fabulous bar and restaurant near to the Botanic Gardens and Canonmills. It’s stylish and welcoming and the best the premises has been over the years of changed ownership.

The Orchard, Howard Place

Although it’s primarily a bar, I attended for the restaurant quality food at reasonable prices, having sampled its sister restaurant, Avoca in Stockbridge, on many occasions.

What I love about the Orchard is that you never have to leave your seat (apart from bathroom breaks) as everything, including drinks are brought to your table.

We were in no rush the day we dined, had left the car at home, and ready for 3 courses.  After ordering our food, we saw a neighbouring table being served one of the sandwiches on a slate plate which looked delicious, so also a place for a quick business lunch.

For start, my dining partner opted for the Arbroath smokie pate, with seasonal leaves and toast (£6) whilst I opted for the grilled goats cheese on toasted brioche with seasonal leaves and red onions, confit and pesto dressing, £5.

Arbroath smokie pate starter

Both of the starters were beautifully presented, a theme which occurred for the rest of the meal.  The pate was extremely flavoursome and the toast, a perfect accompaniment along with the salad.

Goats cheese and toasted brioche

The goats cheese was melt in the mouth quality over the hot brioche with the red onions making a wonderful combination.

I drank a lovely glass of pinot grigio at  £3.75 whilst my dining partner sampled a few of the ales and lagers on offer.  For main course, we both opted for the Cockburn’s black pudding with Ayrshire bacon, poached egg and hollandaise sauce (£10).

Black pudding, bacon and hollandaise

For dessert, we opted for the chocolate and marscapone cheesecake with Baileys ice cream and the pear and almond tart with vanilla pod ice cream, both £5.

Pear and almond tart

Chocolate cheesecake

Again, both of the dishes were beautifully presented and tasted as good as they looked.  The cheesecake was nothing short of perfect with the ice cream and fruit compote refreshing on the side and a break from the chocolate high.  The pear and almond tart was served warm and beautifully baked with the almond flavour wonderful.  Both of these desserts were simply divine, as did the the others on the menu look.

More drinks followed after dessert and we were never rushed to leave.  I can’t recommend the service and quality of food in this place enough and beats its sister Avoca in my eyes.

Suitable for disabled ?  Yes, there is seating  on the ground floor, but would perhaps be advisable to book ahead to ensure a table, the rest of the seating is raised up some steps.  Bathrooms on the ground floor.

Guilty Lily

I love Guilty Lily on Bonnington Road.  It allows the option for one person  drinking herbal tea as the other sups on real ales whilst tucking into scones and other baked goods at all times of the day.  The food on offer is varied and can be eaten in the dining area at the rear of the premises or at the low tables in front of the comfy couches in the main part of the bar.  

Service is warm and welcoming and on asking the barman one day what a sporting score was, he said he didn’t know, but went through the back to check on his iphone and came back with the result.  I was more than impressed with that personal service. 

Wonderful beef  (and vegetarian) nachos, £6.95 sit alongside the usual pub grub suspects.   Lady sized burgers are available from £6.95  and more meaty man sized burgers for the hungry male customer.  I love the inventive breakfast dishes such as ‘Eggs Benny’  – a variation of eggs benedict and ‘Smokin Lily’ .  They’re served every morning and all afternoon at the weekends. 

Do not miss the ‘Guilty waffles’ which are definitely the stars of the sweet goods on offer.  The waflles with crispy bacon and maple syrup, £3.50 get my vote most visits. 

Free wifi is available and a TV for background sport (not a sports dominated pub).  Families are made welcome and during the day Guilty Lilycan be popular with mums meeting up for something to eat with their wee ones.  It’s a cosy bar, that’s hard to leave and luckily on my bus route from home.  

Relaxed seating

On the visit that this review covers, I had the eggs Benedict ciabatta and herbal tea for brunch and my dining partner had a pint of real ale with a man-sized burger.  No complaints for either of the dishes – the food here does not disappoint. 

Eggs benedict ciabatta

 Suitable for disabled?  Yes, you can enter through 2 doors which give you access to the whole place and accessible bathrooms.

Inside The Saint

Set down a set of stairs, there are a mixture of old wooden tables and chairs, with a selection of easy listening music playing in the background.   The Saint is also a pub, so you can pop in for a drink, but you would probably find it hard to resist the food, which is undoubtedly the star of the show here. 

Wonderful starter

One visit I had the salmon and oatcake starter which was the beginning of an excellent meal.  Starters are around £4 and mains which have included fish dishes, duck and vegetarian risottos are around the £9 mark making The Saint serve some of the best and cheapest food in Edinburgh. 

Heavenly desserts

Dessert aficionados will not be disappointed with options such as chocolate spring rolls or Scottish pancakes with homemade toffee sauce (pictured).  A good relaxed service is offered, with ample time to talk over coffee or linger longer for after dinner drinks. 

Suitable for disabled?   The Saint is down a steep set of stairs and not suitable for wheelchairs.

Great wee pub

I love the Jolly Judge pub which sits at the foot of a vennel in James Court.  The Jolly Judge is only 2 minutes from the Castle but is a great discovery for locals and tourists. 

They do a  good selection of draught beers and malt whiskies alongside real ales, wines and spirits. 

On a warm summers’ day, it’s great to sit at one of the outside tables in such an historical area.  At other times of the year, it’s great to cosy together in this intimate pub and see tourists mixing with the locals. 

The Jolly Judge has been here for many many years, but has moved with the time and now even has wi fi.  Bring your good coversation and chat with other patrons over  a light lunch or a beer.  Definitely worth tracking down on a map. 

Suitable for disabled?  Unfortunately the pub is down a few stairs, but it would of course be possible to sit outside in warmer weather. 

The vennel you enter through

All important deliveries

Belhaven has refurbished the Starbank Inn at Newhaven (The Starry to the locals). 

Starbank Inn open again

There doesn’t seem to be that much difference in the ‘extensive refurbishment’ that has taken place.  Now owned by Belhaven pubs, the Starry has 42 inch plasma televisions and a subscription to Sky Sports.  I popped in yesterday and although the football is on the screen, the volume is low, allowing people to still hold conversations.  The locals were obviously happy to have a nearby pub open again as it was standing room only by mid afternoon. 

All the seats in the rear of the restaurant (semi-conservatory area) were full with diners sampling the new food menu.  On first glance, the food is typical pub grub and an average dish is around £8-£10.  I didn’t have anything to eat, but on looking at the plates on neighbouring tables, I made the right choice.  Perhaps the food tastes better than it looks.  One of the bar staff had trouble pulling a decent pint of ale on my visit, but I am sure her training will come in due course. 

There are some tables in the beer garden which will no doubt fill quickly in the summer months. 

Suitable for disabled?   Despite having fully accessible toilets, there are the 5 stairs to negotiate into the pub.

The bar at The Murrayfield Hotel is a popular hangout for locals and visitors – especially when there’s a rugby international on at the neighbouring stadium, only a couple of minutes’ walk from the hotel.

Of course, when there is a game on, you would not want to visit for a quiet bar supper, as the place is always packed with fans before and after a game. It gets so busy during match days that the hotel puts up a temporary marquee in the drive to cater for extra demand!

I’ve eaten here a few times over the years. The food used to be great – hearty portions, a varied menu and quality that edged above the level of usual pub grub fare. The previous time I came, about a year ago, the food had taken a huge dip. I don’t know if the hotel had changed chef or supplier, but it was extremely disappointing.

On the basis of this visit, sadly, things have not improved. The menu is still relatively varied, and the food sounds good on paper, but our experience left a little to be desired. The bar was quiet; it was relatively early on a Friday evening. We still had a fairly long wait for our food, and we had begun to glance at our watches.

When it arrived, the food looked a little uninspiring. My partner had ordered a mushroom omelette, which sat looking a bit forlorn and lonely on the large plate with only a few salad leaves and some fries for company. It was tasty enough, but nothing special.

I’d ordered the beef and ale pie, made using meat from the Buccleuch estate. There was plenty beef here, and it was lean; although a bit on the tough side. The biggest disappointment was the gravy however: it tasted burned and was slightly greasy, leaving me with a rather unpleasant taste which lingered into the rest of the evening.

The Murrayfield Hotel is a great place to come for a drink and soak up the atmosphere during rugby match days. However, as a place to have a pub meal, it leaves quite a lot to be desired and there are far better options available nearby (the neighbouring Hampton Hotel, for example). This visit saw me giving it one last chance to impress, based on the previous good experiences I’d had here: sadly, however, I’ll not be back.

Disabled access: yes, the bar and toilet area are on one level, easily accessible from the street and car park to the rear.