Newhaven cafe

A warm welcome and excellent food at The Haven cafe

There’s nothing more than we like than trying out a new place for food and at lunchtime today, we visited the recently opened cafe, The Haven at Anchorfield (directly opposite the Chancelot Mill).

A warm welcome ensued as we tucked ourselves beside a radiator and started reading the papers and glossy magazines on offer for customers.

The menu has all the usual breakfast suspects with rolls starting at £1.80 (sit-in price) and £2.10 for a doubler. A bowl of porridge will set you back £1.90 and scrambled eggs on toast £2.40.

There are freshly made soups and sandwiches up for grabs, but we couldn’t see past the all-day full Scottish breakfast with tea (or coffee) included, for a bargain price of £5.95.

A steaming large mug of tea was served to the table followed by the wonderful sight of  bacon, black-pudding, sausage, haggis, free-range egg, mushrooms, beans, tattie scone and toast on a plate. We opted out of the tomato which is normally included and was impressed with both the quality and quantity that had been served.

Impressive full-Scottish breakfast

Other diners were tucking into bowls of soup and half a sandwich (£4.20 for the combo) and we also eyed up the blueberry pancakes (special of the day). All the food served is available in smaller portions for children and highchairs are available making this a family friendly place.

Despite eating more calories than we care to think about, we of course managed a slice of home-made cake. There’s lots to choose from including classics such as empire biscuits, chocolate cake and scones, but we plumped for a piece of Victoria sponge (£2.50).

We were served a door-stop sized wedge of the light and fluffy sponge which caused the neighbouring tables to comment in envy and ask if it would be finished. Of course the answer was yes.

Other warming drinks are available such as the usual coffees (£1.70 for an americano and £1.80 for a latte) and hot chocolate (£2.20) and fruit shoots for little ones (70p).

By the end of our visit (1pm ish) the majority of tables were full with lunchtime workers and pensioners as well as the local school kids coming in for a takeaway lunch.

We really can’t fault any aspect of this cafe. The prices are very reasonable, the surroundings comfortable and the food excellent.

Recommended from us.

Impressive Victoria sponge

Information

The Haven Cafe - 9 Anchorfield, Edinburgh.

Free wi fi.

Opening hours – Monday to Friday 0730 – 1700 hrs and Saturday and Sunday 0900 – 1700 hrs

The Haven are on facebook and on twitter @thehavencafe

Suitable for disabled? Yes the door and cafe is on ground level, but the bathrooms are located up a set of four steps.

The Haven features on our Edinburgh Cake Trail.

This picture courtesy of The Haven

Inside the cafe

Edinburgh’s secret supper clubs and more

There is such a wide variety of supper clubs in Edinburgh now – eating in at someone’s home certainly seems to be the new ‘eating out’. We’re determined to dine at all the choices in Edinburgh (and no doubt expand our waistline in the process).

In our experience, the quality of the food served at these secret suppers is pretty impressive.  The price for a three-course meal per person is around £25 and with a BYOB policy, it’s a reasonably priced night out. Strangers across the table become friends by the end of the night and if like us, you dine at a few of them, you bump into people you’ve met at different clubs.

Dates vary, with most evenings being held at the weekend, but some are hosted on school nights. Spaces tend to go fast for all of Edinburgh’s supper 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.

Charlie and Evelyn's Table (pic courtesy of C Rowley)

Here are the links to all supper clubs hosting in Edinburgh at the moment and those that are coming soon.

Charlie and Evelyn’s Table – Established in 2009, Rachel and Chris Rowley were the first to host a secret supper in Edinburgh. They’ve been on a maternity break, but are releasing new dates very soon. Get on their mailing list at chrisandrachelrowley (@) gmail.com to be first to hear of Spring 2012′s dates. The supper club are on twitter and on facebook. A suggested donation of £25 is taken on the night via an envelope. Our most recent review of Charlie and Evelyn’s table can be found here.

Kitchen Porter - Professional chef Mark Porter and his wife Mary can seat up to 20 diners at one event. Dates spread out throughout the year, but you must email kitchenports@yahoo.co.uk to be placed on their mailing list and notified of new dates. Mark and Mary are on twitter. The cost is £27 per person and payment is in advance via bank transfer. Read our review here.

My Home Supper – Run by Aoife Behan, this popular club often sells out months in advance. My home supper has been known to have different themes to their evenings, including Edinburgh Fringe entertainment and a contestant from Masterchef as a guest chef. There are dates announced throughout the year. We have dined here and can confirm that the food is good and the  hospitality warm. You can find the club on twitter and on facebook. A deposit for a ticket to be bought in advance and an additional ‘donation’ on the night takes the cost to £25.

Image courtesy of My Home Supper

Crescent Dining – We dined here last summer and loved the hospitality of the host Lesley (the mum) and the food from her son Calum. At the time of writing this article, they are about to announce their next supper date for March 2012. Tickets to be bought in advance (£15 up front and £10 suggested donation on the evening). Crescent Dining are on twitter and on facebook.

Inside out chef –  Run by Wendy Patterson, the ‘inside out chef’ has several dates planned for 2012 serving up her ‘bespoke cuisine with bite’. Wendy also offers food hampers and afternoon teas (in your home). You can find Inside out chef on on twitter and on facebook.

Table for ten – Set up and hosted by four friends, Table for Ten is based in Edinburgh’s Southside. Dates every 6-8 weeks. Join their mailing list at tableforten (@) btinternet.com. You can also find them on twitter and on facebook

Chai Lounge – Established in the Autumn of 2011, Edinburgh’s first Indian supper club is run by Meena Manchoo-Bhana, who serves up home style Indian cooking in her home.  Regular dates for 2012.  Also on twitter and on facebook. The cost is £25 and tickets are to be purchased in advance.

Queen of Tarts – Edinburgh’s first pop-up afternoon tea. Host Angela Dolan welcomes people to her ‘parlour’ in Leith for afternoon tea. Angela has 14 planned dates for 2012. You can find Queen of Tarts on twitter and on facebook. A ticket deposit of £5 is required in advance and a suggested donation of an additional £20 on the day.

New for 2012

The Seaside Social – We’re looking forward to heading to Portobello to experience this new supper club. Their first event is in March 2012. Cost is unknown at this time. Runs quarterly and they are on twitter and facebook.

Burgher Burger – A new concept in pop-dining that revolves around a burger being the main event of a three-course meal. Every month, a different professional chef  takes over a greasy spoon cafe and cooks the menu of their choice. Read our article on Burgher Burger here. The cost is £30 and tickets must be bought in advance. Burgher Burger are on facebook and you can follow the burger news on twitter. These events are hosted by Aoife Behan from My Home Supper.

Tealicious Edinburgh – An exciting new pop-up afternoon tea in Leith. Expect vintage crockery and a menu full of savoury and sweet delights. Cost unknown at the time of writing. You can find Tealicious on twitter and on facebook.

Ross Baxter Patissier – Professional patissier Ross Baxter is offering bespoke afternoon teas in your home and one to one pastry classes.  You can find Ross on facebook (and drool at the pictures) and also on twitter. Full interview with Ross coming soon.

Further Information

Edinburgh food writer Hilary Sturzaker over at Mymonkfish.com wrote a comprehensive guide to Edinburgh’s supper clubs after trying most of them out! We’ll be reviewing as many of the new supper clubs as we can in due course.

Keep an eye on our dedicated supper club and pop-up dining section.

Food at Kitchen Porter's

Pic courtesy of Scottish Hampers

Win a hamper from Scottish Hampers

We love our food at Edinburgh Spotlight and are pleased to be able to offer our readers a chance to win a hamper full of food worth £45 from Scottish Hampers who pride themselves on their extensive range of modern Scottish Hampers. Each one is packed full of luxury food and drink sourced from the very best suppliers all over the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

The hamper up for grabs is the Munro hamper and contains:

1 x Thomsons Scottish Full Roast Coffee ( 250g )
1 x Luscombe Organic Sicilian Lemonade ( 750ml )
1 x Bloc Mint Creams Gift Box ( 160g )
1 x Island Bakery Organics Shortbread ( 150g )
1 x Nevis Bakery Madeira Cake ( 360g )
1 x Thomsons Scottish Vanilla Macaroon ( 150g )
1 x Claire Macdonald Strawberry Jam ( 227g )

We also love the look of the Wee Bairn and the Thistle hampers. So many different options, all of which look delicious.

Competition

To be in with a chance of winning a ‘Munro’ hamper, all you have to do is answer this easy question:

Scottish Hampers was developed from a Scottish food business in what year?

Hint – you might want to look on the website on the info/about us page on their website.

Email your answer to competitions@edinburghspotlight.com by 12noon on  Friday 17th February 2012. The winner will be picked at random and notified by email by shortly after the closing time. Facebook and twitter entries will not be accepted.

All decisions are final.

You can like Scottish Hampers on facebook and follow them on twitter @ScottishHampers

Image courtesy of Burgher Burger

Burgher Burgher – taking Edinburgh’s dining scene by storm

Pop-up dining and secret suppers are not new to the Edinburgh food scene, but Burgher Burger is certainly something different.

Organised by Aoife Behan, who also runs Edinburgh’s popular secret supper club My Home Supper has put together this exciting new dining concept with a different location and different chef each month cooking up a three-course meal.

Such were the whispers around town about chef Neil Forbes rustling up his menu in one of Edinburgh’s best greasy spoons cafes, Now Rest - the tickets for the inaugural event sold out in under 8 minutes.

Ticket demand for March’s event caused the website to crash and sold out within 4 minutes. The appeal of a burger night with chef Tony Singh at the helm at Punjab’n De Rasoi obviously proved to be popular with Edinburghers.

The three-course Burgher Burger meals will use meat from Hugh Grierson Organic and four carefully paired beers supplied by Innis and Gunn, which are included in the price of £30 per head (plus £2.70 booking fee).

The only way to get a seat at the table for a future Burgher Burger event is to be on the mailing list and have your computer at the ready when April’s tickets go on sale.

We’ve been lucky enough to bag a seat at the first event so will bring you our verdict on this new pop-up dining experience once we’ve munched our way through the first menu.

Information

Visit the Burgher Burger wesbite for more information.

You can also like Burgher Burger on facebook and follow the burger news on twitter.

Join the mailing list.

Toasted goats cheese on garlic bread

We have previously reviewed the wonderful Bon Papilion, but returned today on a cold winter’s day to experience their warm hospitality and excellent food.

Owned by Ingrid Nilsson and Stuart Allan, their specialities are divided into Nilsson’s art on the wall and Allan’s framer’s service at the rear of the premises. The couple come together at the food counter serving up home-made soup, savoury tarts and tasty salads to hungry Edinburghers.

Today we plumped for the ‘chèvre chaud’ – a delicious combination of goats cheese toasted on garlic bread accompanied by salad (£5.25) and a ‘hot-smoked’ salmon salad with a large roll (£5.95).  Both dishes were of quality equal to be found in a bistro, but then that’s only to be expected since Stuart is a former chef.

Other savoury choices included savoury tartlets (£6.25),  BLT’s (£4.50) and a bacon ciabatta at a bargainous £2.50.

The highlight of a visit to Bon Papilion for us is the freshly made cakes on offer. At a very reasonable £2.10 a slice, we managed to devour a slice of chocolate and beetroot cake and a lime and ginger topped chocolate creation. From past exerpience, you can’t go wrong with their scones either.

Tea is a very reasonable £1.60 per pot and coffees start at £1.50 for an espresso and a latte will cost you £2.

Everything on the menu is available to take away as well.

We’ve been regular visitors to Bon Papilion since it opened last summer and regularly use it as a working space. The free wi-fi is fast and reliable and there’s such a creative energy in this arty hub, it’s hard to leave. You can take a seat by the window and watch the world walk up Howe Street, or savour your coffee and admire the ever-changing art work on display.

Chocolate and beetroot cake

The word has obviously got around town that this place serves wonderful food with a smile, as it was full by the time we moved onto dessert.

Bon Papilion is well worth a visit whatever side of town you live on and we are pleased top award it out ‘highly recommended’ award after providing us with perfect food and service for the last 8 months.

Information

Bon Papillion is situated at 15 Howe Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6TE. Telephone 0131 538 2505

Open every day except Tuesday 9am – 5.30pm (10 am Sunday).

You can have a look at their website and read their blog.  You can see what the forthcoming are here.

Bon Papillion are on facebook and on twitter and also appear on our Edinburgh Cake Trail.

Suitable for disabled? There is one step up into the gallery and ample room to move around once inside.

While most of the capital’s fine dining restaurants take a holiday this January, the most stylish of the all, Restaurant Mark Greenaway is attracting new customers will a bold new pricing policy.

For one month only, the award winning restaurant at No.12 Picardy Place will allow diners to decide themselves what they would like to pay for their meal.

Customers will be asked to pay any desired amount for their dining experience.

Delicious lamb

We have reviewed both the A la Carte Menu and the lunch Market Menu and highly recommend the food.

The restaurant menu’s ‘suggested price’ will remain and the customer can also select an amount higher than the standard price but ultimately they will decide exactly what price they would like to pay for their food.

No.12 Picardy Place has already established itself as an award-winning venue with Restaurant Mark Greenway achieving ‘Scotland’s Most Stylish Restaurant’ at the 2011 Scottish Style Awards and nominated as a finalist in the 2012 ‘Restaurant of the Year Awards’ which are held in February.

The offer applies to Restaurant Mark Greenaway from 9th-31st January 2012 (excluding January 25th 2012) and is valid Tuesday-Saturdays on both the Market Menu and A la Carte Menu. Market Menu is a listed set price menu of £18 for two courses and £24 for three courses.

Cullen skink

Bookings must be made in advance quoting: PWYW. Maximum 4 persons per booking. For reservations please call the team on 0131 557 0952 or visit our website www.no12picardyplace.com

Restaurant Mark Greenaway is open Tuesday-Saturday 12pm-3pm (Lunch) and 5.30pm-10.30pm (Evening)

Amazing desserts

Open in Edinburgh from 2nd November 2011

Fans of Wagamama that live in Edinburgh can finally get excited as they open a branch in the city on Wednesday 2nd November 2011.

Taking up residency in the former Bank of Scotland on Castle Terrace/Lothian Road, the new 130 seater eatery is sure to be a hit with residents and visitors alike.

Ahead of the official opening, we visited today, along with several dozen other  lucky diners getting to experience the complimentary food on one of two ‘preview’ days.

We were talked through the menu by a friendly member of staff and considering it was only a training day, we really couldn’t fault any of the service. It was fascinating to take a seat near to the kitchen pass, where up to twelve chefs at any one time were freshly preparing the dishes.

Seafood ramen

We had the following dishes to eat:

Duck gyoza – deep fried duck dumplings with a spicy cherry hoi sin sauce (£5.25)

Beef teriyaki soba – on a bed of teppan fried soba noodles, with vegetables and various seasonings (£13.50)

Seafood ramen – noodles in vegetable soup, assorted seafood with seasonal greens and garnish (£10.35)

For dessert – sweet ginger and apple gyoza with vanilla custard sauce (£5)

All of the dishes served to us were delicious and our neighbours at the table commented on how pleased they were with their curry choices.

There are explanations on the menu about all the dishes and types of noodles, so those new to this type of cuisine can easily understand what they’re choosing.

Time allowed for us to have coffee and tea after our meal and we both concluded we couldn’t fault the quality of the food or the experience of dining in Edinburgh’s newest restaurant.

We will definitely be returning and exploring some of the other dishes on the extensive menu.

Full menu is available here and take-out menu here. There is also a children’s menu.

Information:

Open Monday – Saturday 11am – 12pm and Sunday 12.30pm – 10pm.

You can find Wagamama at 1 Castle Terrace (on the corner with Lothian Road), Edinburgh, EH1 2DP.

Beef teriyaki

Suitable for disabled? Yes, despite how the entrance looks, there is a wheelchair lift to the side and accessible bathrooms on the main floor.

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.

In Jubliee Gardens

Stockbridge Market opens for business

Stockbridge Market opened for business today in Jubilee Gardens.

Open from 10am – 5pm every Sunday, the market aims to get bigger and better, encouraging locals to do their shopping there. If the market is a success, it will also be open on Thursday evenings from 3pm – 8pm.

There was a good selection of producers today including a fish stall, meat stalls, jams, baked goods amongst many others.

Artisan Roast had a cute corner where you could buy one of their excellent coffees accompanied by a slice of Cake (from North Berwick).

Stoats had a stall selling their excellent porridge oats and bars and also in attendance was Real Foods and Ziggy’s Really Good Food (vegetarian specialists).

We were pretty impressed at the selection for this inaugural event and there was certainly enough choice to buy Sunday lunch and dinner and into the start of the week.

Not just food

A handful of stalls selling soap, cashmere gifts, jewellery and handbags complete the market and judging by the amount of people in attendance around 12noon – the market is going to be very popular!

Suitable for disabled? Yes, on ground level with ample room around the stalls.

Artisan Roast

Liddlesdale Selection

Freshly baked bread

Jams and chutneys

One of the cake stalls

Fish and seafood

A selection of mushrooms

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

First class food and service

The Honours ticks all the right boxes within days of opening

We have already previewed The Honours and heard only good things since the doors on North Castle Street opened for business. One of Edinburgh’s finest food bloggers, Hilary Sturzaker has reviewed The Honours for us.

You can find more of Hilary’s food experiences on her blog – My Monkfish, find her on facebook and follow her Edinburgh (and beyond) food adventures via her twitter stream.

Words by Hilary Sturzaker

Martin Wishart has pulled a blinder. Brasserie style food at brasserie style prices delivered in French brasserie style surroundings, are we in Edinburgh? Yes we are. Welcome to The Honours, the newbie in town where Mr Wishart brings his ‘fine dining’ influences to this stunning new venture with chef Paul Tamburrini at the helm.

Fourteen days in and the atmosphere is spot on, ambient background music, marbled floors, chic styling, cool lighting, you would never guess that you were sat in the same restaurant that was previously Tony’s Table.  Somehow the styling works, huge gold spots painted high up on walls framed by typical Edinburgh cornicing painted black with huge black pendant light shades hanging from the ceiling.  Brass wall lights line the restaurant giving that ‘je ne sais quoi’ to the space.  White table cloths are definitely not required. Smart front of house staff with long black aprons glide smoothly across the floor attending to the customer’s every need.  Steven Spear, the restaurant manager, keeps his beady eyes on the evening’s proceedings, meeting and greeting the clientele and later on asking how people had found their ‘Honours Experience’.

You could sense that all of these ‘things’ and ‘moments’ had been crafted to perfection in anticipation of creating the best new brasserie in Edinburgh.  Tick, they’ve nailed it and I’ve not mentioned the food yet.

Exquisite food

The foolhardy Mr Predictable was of course my dining companion for the evening, this was one he was never going to miss! Ah, the food. The menu is a joy to read although with so much choice we both found it quite difficult to decide as everything sounded so delicious. We ordered a glass of fizz to ease our indecisiveness. Earlier in the day I had been advised via the medium of twitter to opt for the Swiss cheese soufflé, spinach and bechamel to start (£8.25), so I did, and wow, taste sensation. Thank you to my fellow twitterati. Mr Predictable chose line-caught Yellow Fin tuna tartare, avocado cream, ginger and soya butter sauce (£7.95), an extremely healthy option for him. This too was pitch perfect, extremely fresh and a palate cleanser before the mains.

After eying up the mains that had been delivered to the table next to us our choices were made.  Sautéed fillets of John Dory, leeks and mussels with curry and Sauternes sauce for me (£18.50) with a side of extra fine French beans (£3.75) and no second guesses allowed….yes, Mr P decided upon Pave rump steak served medium (£20) with a side of French fries (£3.50).  The fish dish was mouth watering, the mild creamy curry-ness sitting perfectly with the flaky white John Dory.  The rump steak cooked in the all singing all dancing ‘Josper’ grill was awesome.  The grill was purchased by Wishart after visiting acclaimed eateries in New York and Singapore and claims to be the ultimate way to cook steak – tick, job done.  The steak was beautifully cooked and rested and oozed flavour.  This was all washed down with a lovely 2010 Rioja Blanco (£21).

And relax.  Time out needed if we (aka me) were going to proceed to the desserts.  For those of you who think portion size is a problem when dining in the finer establishments of Edinburgh then fear not, you will not leave here feeling hungry, trust me!

After a trip to the ladies which are glitzy and luxurious, followed by a good bit of people watching and a dip into other people’s conversations (adding to our overall ‘Honours Experience’) and we were on to the puds.

The Honours

A no brainer for me, it had to be apple tart tatin served with milk ice cream (£7.25), when in francais and all that.  It was a sticky caramel delight, the pastry was perfect and melted in the mouth.  For Mr P, who had a wobble earlier in the evening with an unusual indecisive moment, this was a quick hit – a Black Forest Gateau ice cream sundae (£6.75).  This one deserves a fuller explanation – vanilla ice cream (artisan ice cream churned in The Honours Carpigiani machine), chocolate sponge and Griotte cherries, finished with a warm Valrhona chocolate sauce.   If I could freeze a moment in time from the evening and put it on repeat it would be me drinking that warm Valrhona chocolate sauce neat.  As ever, Mr Predictable was quick to point out that chocolate sauce does not go with apple tart tatin and that the sauce belonged to him, I beg to differ.

Coffee to follow and then a cheeky Glenkinchie for the road, why not, at our age a seat is a pre-requisite with a drink so no point venturing anywhere else in my opinion. I wanted the evening to last for the duration as had enjoyed every moment.  We never felt rushed during the meal and the service had been top notch.  So, how had we found our ‘Honours Experience’ Stephen asked and would we like to go into the kitchen? Twist my arm….a foody’s dream scenario.  Suddenly we found ourselves ‘back stage’ being introduced to chef Paul and his sidekick ‘Josper’. Although service was over the kitchen was a hubbub of activity and Paul chatted away about the food and his magnificent ‘piece of kit’.  Wow, every man’s dream to be honest.  Josper is quite literally an indoor barbecue which can reach temperatures of up to 650°.  Mr P was extremely excited, what is it about men and meat?

Magnificent dining experience

A fine end to a very fine evening.  All boxes ticked…ambiance, service, food, Josper.  You won’t get much change out of £130 for two (with drinks and service) but you won’t find anywhere else quite like this in Edinburgh, a well deserved big tick for Mr Wishart and team, we’ll be back soon.

Information

Visit The Honours website and you can also follow The Honours on twitter.

Address: 58A North Castle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3LU

Email: info@thehonours.co.uk

Hilary Sturzaker. More information on  her food blog - My Monkfish, find her on facebook and follow her Edinburgh (and beyond) food adventures via her twitter stream.

Suitable for disabled? Yes the restaurant is fully accessible.

The Honours kitchen

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

Stockbridge Cafe Fish

By Chiara Pannozzo

The recent run of glorious weekend weather inspired a new mission, one which unfortunately did not come into fruition.

Apparently, getting a table outside Cafe Fish in Stockbridge on a Saturday afternoon is comparable to finding a needle in the proverbial hay stack. Since this was my second failed attempt to enjoy fish outdoors, I conceded, and accepted a table inside Cafe Fish so I could at least satisfy one of my two cravings.

As we perused the menu, I soon forgot about the glorious sunshine outside, as I became intoxicated by the smell of seafood. My decision was entirely straightforward. My love for mussels means that wherever they feature on a menu, you can be sure I will order them. However, my dining partners were unable to decide between numerous options, all of which implied an array of delectable flavours. Finally a decision was made and we were ready to order. I opted for a large portion of Shetland Blueshell  mussels (£12), cooked with tomatoes, chilli and coriander, served with a side of homemade chips.

The mussels were cooked perfectly, with a sauce that was a welcome change from the usual white wine and cream, which so commonly accompanies this type of fish. Although they were delicious, the absence of a finger bowl was noted, leaving me working through a rather large number of napkins.

Mussels

My sister opted for a deliciously fresh crab and mango tian, which at £7, was a the perfect choice for those opting for a lighter lunch. Our fellow diner was pulled towards the traditional fish and chips, served with mushy peas and tartare sauce. His dedication to working through this hearty portion was admirable, as he commented about the freshness of the fish, and the crispness of the chips.

The sociable nature of our lunch encouraged us to accompany our meal with a bottle of Sicilian white wine (Planeta Alastro Greganico, £23) which accompanied our fish perfectly.

Unfortunately we were too full for desserts, and rounded off our meal with three espressos (£1.75 each), leaving us ready to tackle the rest of the day.

Other than the absence of a finger bowl, which is essential when eating something as ungraceful as mussels, we were all in agreement that our experience at Cafe Fish was a good one, and that we were all willing to part with our hard earned cash to go back and eat there again.

Suitable for disabled? Yes, the restaurant has accessible seating and toilets on the ground floor.

More details on the Cafe Fish website.

Fish and Chips

New to St Andrew Square

By Chiarra Pannozzo

Seeing Scotland bathed in sunshine is rare. When this happens, I always feel overcome by the urge to spend every waking moment enjoying it. Part of this experience always involves eating out at any establishment with outdoor seating.

We couldn’t believe our luck when passing Amarone on George Street to find a couple leaving their table, just in time for us to swoop in, and take up residence for the evening.

Great pasta

Determined to make the most of our prime location, I started with a Campari and soda (£3.25), which I sipped slowly with a bowl of olives to keep me company (£2.45). The mixture of green and black olives were delicious, with stones still intact, indicating that they were at least more premium than the ready pitted variety.

We moved onto devour Rigatoni with crumbled sausage and ricotta (£9.95) and Pennette with tomatoes and basil (£8.95). My dish featured robustly flavoured Italian sausage with a sauce that was lightly flavoured with fennel and ricotta, a delicious and filling meal, with pasta that was cooked perfectly. My dining partner’s meal was equally satisfying, with a mere hint of basil, rather than a more overbearing flavour.

To quench our thirst, I enjoyed a large glass of Pinot Grigio (£5.45), whilst my dining partner opted for a can of Aranciata (£2.25).

My dining partner’s appetite regularly outdoes mine, and so he devoured a semifreddo cioccolato (£5.75), a rich chocolate based pudding, which resembled an ice cream that hasn’t fully set.

Delicious dessert

I ended my meal with a glass of dessert wine (Muscato £3.45) and an espresso (£1.90).

Not only were we impressed by the quality of the food at Amarone, but also the service was excellent. We felt well looked after and valued throughout our dining experience, and not only will I be recommending Amarone to family and friends, I can say without hesitation that there will be a return visit.

Information:

13 St Andrew Square
Edinburgh
EH2 2BH
0131 523 1171

You can find Amarone on Facebook and on twitter.

Suitable for disabled? Yes, ground floor access and bathroom.

12th - 14th August 2011

Foodies Festival returning to Holyrood Park for 2011

The excellent Foodies Festival is returning to Edinburgh in 2011 on Friday 12th, Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th August in the beautiful grounds of Holyrood Park again. The festival is suitable for all the family and makes a great day out.

The event is open at the following times:

You follow the Edinburgh Foodies Festival on twitter and be kept up to date with the latest information.

Visitors will enjoy new features for 2011, as well as established favourites including:

• Chefs Theatre: The regions Michelin star and top chefs will cook their favourite signature dishes live, passing on hints and tips.

• Fringe stars including Tim Vine, The Hamiltons and Four Poofs and a Piano will join top chefs on stage to mix cooking with comedy.

• Fringe Highlights: Acts from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival will perform live, giving visitors a taster of the best music, dance and comedy.

• Pop-up Cook School: Visitors will enjoy hands-on cooking and tasting sessions, with guidance from top chefs and food experts.

• Cooking with Kids: Masterclasses for budding young chefs and their families.

• Drinks Masterclass Theatre: Mixing and shaking, nosing and tasting sessions where visitors are led through the complexities of gin, rum, speciality beer, wine and cocktails.

• Speciality and local exhibitors: Visitors can sample and buy exclusive ingredients from over 100 food and drink producers.

• Great Taste Market: Featuring stallholders whose products have won a prestigious Great Taste Award in the last three years (new for 2011)

• Restaurant Village: Visitors can indulge in dishes from around the world

• Bar Pagoda Tents: Visitors can enjoy a glass of bubbly or seasonal cocktail made by expert mixologists.

You can buy tickets in advance with a 3 day ticket costing £18 and a day ticket £10. Concessions are available.

Competition

We have 5 pairs of 3-day tickets to give away in our easy competition worth £36 per pair!

You can enter in 3 different ways:

1. On our facebook page ‘like’ the relevant post by 6pm on Sunday 24th July 2011.

2. On twitter, RT the relevant tweet by 6pm on Sunday 24th July 2011.

3. Email competitions@edinburghspotlight.com with ‘FOODIES’ in the subject line.

Winners will be picked at random on Sunday evening and will be notified by email on where to collect the winning tickets.  Good luck!

We loved Foodies in 2010

* sun cannot be guaranteed of course!

London Street

A slice of France in London Street

I stumbled across newly-opened The French Fancies during the week and could have sworn I had been transported to a cute cafe in France.

Having been warmly welcomed by the French owners, I opted to take a seat in the rear of the premises. A mixture of tables, sofas and throne-like chairs were there for the sitting and I chose the table that looks out to the leafy rear garden.

No outside traffic noise to be heard, just the traditional French music playing softly through the speakers.

The menu is basic, but does the job and as much as I would have liked to plump for the sweet crepes as a main, I had already eyed up the home-made French pastries for dessert. I finally chose the home-made soup and half a roll at £2.90 and was delivered tomato soup and a generously filled ham and cheese baguette on a lovely china tray.

My dessert choice of home-made  raspberry tart (£2.20) and blended black tea (£2.20) was served on more mix-matched china crockery and I kicked back and relaxed whilst savouring every mouthful of the French tart.

The French Fancies has a huge selection of teas including Jasmine White, Moroccan Rose and Genepi that are served in a tea pot with knitted tea-cosy and ample supply of hot water.

Tea and French Tart

A selection of coffees and hot chocolates are also served.

Everything on The French Fancies menu is available to take away (slightly lower priced) as well as an amazing selection of home made terrines, sausages, jams and macarons. I couldn’t decide whether to go for the chocolate and banana jam (£2.20 or 2 jars for £4) or the raspberry, strawberry and pastis jam. I went for the latter and have nearly finished the jar in under 24 hours.

Oh well, it seems I will just have to go back to The French Fancies and stock up on more French goodies and whilst I’m there, I may as well try out the crepes and will report back.

The French Fancies is definitely worth a visit whilst in the Broughton Street area and I am sure that the menu will develop over the forthcoming weeks as the staff work out what their Edinburgh audience prefer.

Information:

The French Fancies

42 London Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6PT

The French Fancies on facebook.

Suitable for disabled?

Unfortunately not as it is down a set of stairs.

The French Fancies appears on our Edinburgh Cake Trail.

Soup and baguette

The table with garden view

Raspberry tart

North Castle Street

Martin Wishart opens new Edinburgh Brasserie – The Honours

In a move long-awaited by the Edinburgh restaurant scene and beyond, Martin Wishart will open his new brasserie in partnership with head chef, Paul Tamburrini on Thursday 14th July.  The new Edinburgh city centre eatery on North Castle Street will be named The Honours.

Wishart confirmed that the style of dining will be very much brasserie and not fine dining, with prices to reflect. A downloadable copy of the new menu can be found here.

We’re particularly looking forward to trying a steak from their grill menu as they’re cooked over charcoal at 650°c but the rest of the menu also looks good.

Tuesdays – Thursdays sees the Prix Fixe Menu available at lunchtime for £17.95 for 3 courses and the same menu for Pre-Theatre at £19.50.

We look forward to bringing you a full review in due course.

Paul Tamburrini has known Martin Wishart for over 12 years, since meeting in the kitchen of Edinburgh’s Balmoral Hotel in 1998. His extensive experience includes some of the UK’s most renowned one-Michelin Star restaurants such as Marco Pierre White’s L’Escargot Restaurant London, Airds Hotel in Argyll as well as Martin Wishart’s fine dining restaurant in Leith, Edinburgh. We met him at the recent Taste of Edinburgh and he told us that he’s really looking forward to The Honours opening.

The front of house manager is Steven Spear, who has worked at Restaurant Martin Wishart since 2002 and was promoted to maitre’d in 2005. Spear’s restaurant trade experience began at the early age of seven, scrubbing oysters in the kitchen of the family business, The Three Chimney’s on the Isle of Skye.

The restaurant seats 60, with space for nine at the bar and 16 in the lounge.

You can have a look at the new menu here (PDF file).

More information on The Honours website and you can also follow The Honours on twitter.

Information: 58A North Castle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3LU

Email: info@thehonours.co.uk

Bookings are  being taken now.

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.

Now in Nicolson Square

The Mosque Kitchen is a genuine Edinburgh institution, beloved for serving quick, cheap and tasty meals to those in the know. The disposable plates, plastic cutlery, and communal outdoor tables were all part of the experience.

As word spread that the Mosque Kitchen was moving indoors, there were rumblings of concern not only that prices might go up, but that the essential charm of the no-frills experience might be compromised.

It’s certainly true that there are no pigeons to be seen in the sleek new lime and plum-painted premises. And the buffet option is roughly double the price of a plate of mixed curries at the old premises. But if you have an affection for polystyrene plates and that fiver is burning a hole in your pocket, fear not. The Mosque Kitchen has done an admirable job of catering for all tastes without compromising on their original ethos.

It’s a little confusing initially, but basically diners have the option of choosing from a selection of a la carte curries, simply served for essentially the same price as they have always been, or the buffet option, where £10 buys all you can eat from a self-serve smorgasbord of spicy delights from tandoori chicken wings and vegetable pakora through to a selection of meat and veg curries, rice, nan bread, salad etc. Drinks and puddings (a bought-in selection including a variety of gateaux as well as Asian specialties) are priced separately, and draught soft drinks priced at £1 for a large 16oz glass.

Happily, the quality of the food on offer has not suffered in the move. Indeed if anything, the kitchen seem to have upped their game a bit. A lamb biryani takes superlatives like “melt in the mouth” to an entirely new level, tandoori chicken legs are well seasoned and more-ish, garlic nan is buttery and rich, and everything tastes like honest home cooking.

What many diners may not realise is the extent to which the Mosque Kitchen is a charitable venture. The medium-term aim of the new restaurant is to build a hospital in Pakistan too allow the most impoverished to access essential medical care, but this is merely the tip of the philanthropic iceberg. They also offer ongoing support to a Pakistani orphanage and have donated tools and equipment to a home construction programme in Kyrgyzstan. Closer to home, they have provided meals for primary schools, donated food for fundraising events for other charities, provided an Eid meal for HM prison Edinburgh, and provided discounted or free food for many other charities.

The Mosque Kitchen is truly a community venture and a genuine jewel in Edinburgh’s restaurant crown. Eat a meal here and the warm glow in your belly after won’t just be from the chilies!

Mosque Kitchen menu

Excellent cafe

A refreshing new cafe/gallery in Edinburgh’s New Town

It’s not often we fall in love instantly with a new cafe in Edinburgh, but as we stepped through the doors of Bon Papillon it was love at first sight.

Bon Papillon is a gallery, a cafe and a framers.  The walls are decorated with beautiful artwork and the staff are incredibly welcoming.  The framers part of this cafe/gallery is situated at the rear of the shop so doesn’t disturb those in for a light bite or coffee and cake.

We’ve been a few times in the last couple of weeks and munched our way through freshly baked cheese scones, delicious filled rolls and of course, sampled their excellent home made cake.

The prices are incredibly good value for the New Town with a pot of tea only £1.50 and a generous slab of cake at £1.75.

Bon Papillon pride themselves on freshly made rolls which  are plated up with salad and hand-made crisps (also available to take-away).

Glossy magazines are available to read every day and on the weekends, there’s papers and Sunday magazines galore.

We’ve tried their cheese scones straight out of the oven that were heaven on a plate, shortly followed by a piece of orange cake served with creme fraiche which was so deliciously moist, I wanted another. They also had a chocolate flour-free option of cake.

The poppyseed rolls filled with smoked salmon hit the mark one lunch time visit and the accompanying coffee was so good, my dining companion immediately asked for another.

There’s not many places in the New Town that offer a delicious roll, drink and piece of cake for around £7.  Bon Papillon have got the perfect balance for this cafe/gallery (and framers) right from the start and we’ll be back very soon.

Highly recommended.

Orange cake with creme fraiche

Smoked salmon roll

Cheese scone with tea

Information

Bon Papillion is situated at 15 Howe Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6TE.  Telephone 0131 538 2505

Open every day except Tuesday 9am – 5.30pm (10 am Sunday).

You can have a look at their website and read their blog.  Bon Papillion are on facebook and appear on our Edinburgh Cake Trail.

Since our last visit a few days ago, Bon Papillion now have wifi.

Suitable for disabled? There is one step up into the gallery and ample room to move around once inside.

Amazing interior