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.

Cuckoo’s continues to provide great savoury food and wonderful cupcakes

By Chiara Pannozzo

Some places just get it right. Cuckoo’s Bakery in Edinburgh’s New Town is one of those places. With a loyal following who go out of their way to get their daily cupcake fix, this bakery has become something of an institution for locals with a sweet tooth.

In addition to the pull of their innovative and creative cupcakes, Cuckoo’s food menu is homemade and varied. Their freshly made bread compliments the wide selection of suitably named ‘doorstep’ sandwiches with hearty fillings. But today we looked elsewhere on the menu, past the soups and sandwiches, and onto the salads and tarts.

Chicken Salad

I went for the aptly named ‘giant salad’ of roast chicken, oven roasted vegetables and sun blessed tomato (£6.95). The generous portion lived up to its name – served with bread, the chicken was moist, and had been delicately touched by a delicious dressing.

My dining partner simply couldn’t bypass the shortcrust pastry tart of red pepper, black olive, tomato and Mull of Kintyre Cheddar (£5.95). A large slice of tart was accompanied by a dressed side salad and homemade coleslaw. The pastry was perfect,  and the different components in the filling perfectly complimented each other.

Black bottom cupcake

Generous portions aside, we couldn’t leave without sampling one of those cupcakes that taunt you from their glass cabinet, taking pride of place at the front of the tea room. We settled on the ‘black bottom’, a dark Belgian chocolate chip sponge under baked vanilla cheesecake, topped with cream cheese frosting (£2.50). On good authority from someone who has ate a lot of cake in her time, this is in contention for one of the best cupcakes I have ever tasted. The combination of Belgian chocolate and cheesecake, all contained within a delicious cupcake is truly inspired.

Cuckoo’s Bakery is a local gem. A fantastic selection of food and cupcakes has led to a party of faithful followers, who frequent the bakery for its delicious food and friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Information

Suitable for disabled? Yes, Cuckoo’s Bakery occupies a ground floor premises on Dundas Street

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.

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.

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

Aoife Behan's supper club

Update June 2011

My Home Supper Club continues to grow in popularity and recently received a glowing review from Edinburgh food blogger, Katey Lee.

The next two events at Aoife’s home are sold out, but there’s two coming up in August with perfect timing for those visiting Edinburgh for the Fringe.

6th August – Indian Summer, a vegetarian feast.

13th August – Molecular Spectacular, where a cook and scientist collaborate.

Shrimp Pot. Pic courtesy of Katey Lee

Original information:

We’re excited to learn of another new supper club to the Edinburgh dining scene.  We loved Charlie and Evelyn’s table and the more recent Kitchen Porters but can’t wait to try the newest one of all!

My home supper club has been started by Aoife Behan who loves food.  She’s not claiming to be a chef, but loves to “cook, eat, feed and party”. As with the other Edinburgh supper clubs, payment for the meal is by donation with a BYOB policy.

Aoife can seat 12 people in her home (two tables of six) and Aoife tell us “you will be eating off my granny’s wedding dinner set” which sounds delightful and homely to us.

The first date for this dining experience is Sunday 15th May 2011 for a Sunday roast. Guests are invited to arrive at 1pm for a Sunday roast with all the trimmings for a suggested donation of £20.  Children are warmly welcomed and even eat for free.

A more traditional evening event is being held on Saturday 4th June 2011 at 7.30pm.  Placs for this event are being snapped up quickly, so don’t delay in booking your place for a feast for £25.

We can’t wait to try out our third supper club in town and wish Aoife good luck for this new venture.

You can check out the website for my home supper club and follow Aoife on twitter @myhomesupper.

New branch

Porto & Fi open a branch in the centre of town.

On Sunday 17th April 2011, a second branch of the popular Newhaven café-bistro Porto & Fi will open in the centre of town. 

Situated at 9 North Bank Street, this second branch of Newhaven’s secret is bound to be a popular choice for residents and tourists alike. 

We have previously reviewed the busy original branch but can’t wait to try out the new premises.  The menu is already on the window and looks extremely tempting. 

Breakfast is served until 12pm and all day on Sundays. The Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon or bacon at £6.95 is firmly on our hit list, but then so is the Stornoway black pudding and beef tomato roll at £3.75. 

For lighter bites or main choices, the wild boar patties with chilli jam and salad (£6.95) caught our eye, but then so does the stuffed pork belly option at £10.95.  Smaller portions of classic dishes are available for little ones and an excellent choices of sweet treats and desserts. 

Information 

Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 10am – 10pm and Sunday 10am – 6pm. 

Porto & Fi on the Mound, 9 North Bank Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2LP 0131 225 9494.

We can’t fault the place and The List and Gaby Soutar from the Scotsman agree, as does our friends over at the Sunday Brunch Club. Our food reviewer has been back several times since she dined there with us and also rates the experience highly.

Looking for somewhere to eat for a birthday lunch today, there was only one place that I wanted to head for and it had Mark Greenaway’s name above the door.

Taking advantage of the Market Menu (offer available at lunch times 12pm – 3pm and dinner 5.30pm – 6.45pm) we had a most enjoyable couple of hours in the restaurant.  Two courses are £16.50 and 3 courses £20.

Please enjoy the pictures below and be assured that the food and service was nothing short of perfection.  The Market Menu is an absolute steal for this price with the quality of food that is delivered.  Mark Greenaway is more than a man to watch now, he’s up there with the best dining Edinburgh has to offer and you should kill for a table.

Mark's Cullen Skink (starter)

Pan Seared Cod Fillet

Half Free Range Chicken

Manjari Chocolate Fondant, White Chocolate Mousse and Tonka Bean Ice Cream

Information

Restaurant Mark Greenaway opening hours:

Lunch: 12.00 pm – 3.00 pm
Dinner: 5.30 pm – 10.00 pm
Closed Sundays and Mondays.

Private dining available.

12 Picardy Place Edinburgh     EH1 3JT     0131 557 0952

Suitable for disabled? There are a couple of steps up into the building and the restaurant is on ground level, as is the bathroom.

Market menu - changes frequently

Amazing Petit Fours

Open again after extensive refurbishment

The Peacock Inn offers the same great fish in new surrounds.

Update April 2012 – The Peacock has closed down.

If you’re looking for signs of the old conservatory and bar in the ‘Famous Peacock Inn’ you’ll be out of luck.

This Newhaven gem opened again on Monday and is completely unrecognisable from its former look, but the famous peacock fireplace is still there, albeit in in a different guise.

Eager to see if their fishy menu was still as good as I recall from many visits over the years, I popped along this lunchtime with the intention of having a sit-down lunch.

I was warmly welcomed by a waitress, who told me that the manageress would be with me shortly.  Fans of the Peacock had also obviously been waiting for the renovations to finish, as there was barely an empty seat in the main restaurant at 12.30pm.

When I finally got the attention of the manageress, I was less than impressed with her attitude.  She had already dismissed a party of four completely as they were ‘fully booked’.  No offer to wait at the bar and seating area until one came available, so the people duly shuffled off and must have chosen to dine elsewhere.

“Yes?” she asked me.  “I’d like a table for one please”, I replied. “Not possible”.  Mmmmm, this less than warm welcome was slowly putting me off my food.  “Can I not eat over there?” as I gestured to one of the six empty tables at the other side of the bar.  “Yes, you can have light bites there, pay and order at the bar, no table service” as she dismissed me and proceeded to deal with her oh-so-busy booking sheet.

The new Peacock bar

I made myself welcome at a table and asked the barman for a menu and enquired if the food available there was the same as in the restaurant.  He was lovely in comparison to his colleague, as was every other member of staff I encountered.   The menu was indeed the same and looked delicious as I perused through the starter sections which included ‘crispy haggis bon bons’ and ‘posh prawn cocktail’, both £4.50.

Because I was sitting in the back of beyond, I couldn’t enviously look on other diners’ plates to see what looked good.  Surf clams (£8.50) and grilled langoustines (£6.95) made starter appearances on the menu, but I decided to head straight for the main event.

What better way to try out the new Peacock than to have their famous beer battered haddock?  ‘Ladies portions’ have gone, with the choices now being tiddler, angel and whale sized.   I chose the angel sized portion, £9.95 (and paid at the bar) which came with homemade chips, mushy peas, tartare sauce and lemon.  There are vegetarian options, as well as beef and pork dishes for those not in favour of fish.

Five minutes passed before my lunch was served at my table and I immediately confirmed the chips were indeed homemade by sneaking in a quick one, before asking for vinegar and tomato sauce.  Disappointment took over at the portion of the peas that were anything but mushy but the tartare sauce and lemon was soon lathered over the meal and the whole plate devoured.

Angel sized fish in beer batter

The picture doesn’t do justice to  the thickness of the fish, it really was a size-able chunk of haddock, perfectly cooked and delicious with the beer batter.  The Peacock fish is still as good as I remember.  Hooray!

I didn’t particularly want to linger over dessert today, but the pear and almond tart and 24 carat chocolate brownie (both £4.50) looked appealing on paper.   Several groups of people came in whilst I was eating and ordered a drink whilst waiting on a table.  If you’re planning on a visit,  I would definitely book ahead to ensure of a space in the main dining area.

Since I had paid the bill as I ordered, I just got up and left.  Nobody noticed or enquired as to how my dining experience had been which was a very mixed one.

Perhaps the Peacock have been overwhelmed at how busy they’ve been in their first week, but the attitude of the manageress needs to change pronto, otherwise I won’t be heading back.

Their website still relates to the old premises. No facebook or twitter as yet.

100 Lindsay Road, Edinburgh, Scotland EH6 4HZ
0131 552 8707

Opening hours  – 12noon – last food ordered at 9.30pm, Sunday – Thursday and last food ordered at 10pm, Friday and Saturday.

Private area through the back seats 24 (old conservatory section).

Suitable for disabled? yes, full access via ramp and accessible bathroom.

Main dining area

Happy first birthday Los Cardos

Los Cardos celebrate their first birthday with special offers

The rather excellent Los Cardos in Leith celebrate their first birthday next week.  As soon as they opened last year, we were down in Leith like a shot and reviewed their fresh-mex offerings.

They’ve been selling the Scottish favourite of haggis-filled burritos and quesadillas since opening and are delighted to announce some excellent birthday deals for all their loyal customers.  If you’ve not been before, then it’s a perfect time to get on the Los Cardos train and enjoy their excellent food.

To celebrate serving the Leith community and Edinburgh at large, Los Cardos will be offering meal deals, specials and raffles for various prizes including t-shirts, salsas and free meal cards throughout the month.

Beginning 4^th April, receive two burritos for £10 every weekday until 4:30pm.  The popular MacSween’s veggie haggis option will also return as a special while supplies last.

Neil Miller, Owner/Chef, says: “We are taking the opportunity to mark our first year of business by giving a big `Thank You’ to the loyal friends and customers who have sustained us and helped spread the word of Fresh Mex over the last year.”

 Los Cardos (Spanish for The Thistles) offers their version of Mexican `street’ food on a menu that includes burritos, tacos and quesadillas with a variety of meats including chicken, steak, pork carnitas and vegetarian options.  The simple, yet versatile, menu also caters to vegans and those with gluten intolerances.  With up to 20 fresh ingredients going into their five made-fresh-daily salsas ranging from mild to extra hot, a variety of tastes and palates can be accommodated. 

Burrito goodness in Leith

Since opening its doors in April 2010, Los Cardos has been committed to becoming the ethical takeaway of choice by using locally sourced, sustainable products when possible, such as British higher welfare chicken, steak and pork, MacSween’s haggis and bio-degradable packing from Vegware.

They’re also a friendly bunch who are happy to talk you through the menu and will do half n’ half portions if you can’t choose between the filling.

Los Cardos is located on 281 Leith Walk, EH6 8PD.  Delivery is available via Just-Eat.co.uk to select Edinburgh postcodes, Thursday-Sunday after 5:30pm.

For more information about the anniversary special offers and promotions, follow Los Cardos on Facebook and twitter.

Edinburgh's finest

A family affair at The Breadwinner Bakery School

We were delighted to visit the excellent Breadwinner Bakery yesterday afternoon and meet the McVey family, who have run the business for years.  They supply bread and baked goods to business all accross Edinburgh and were Edinburgh’s first ‘open plan’ bakery.  

Sean McVey, The Breadwinner’s most senior Master Craftsman Baker, with a whopping 50 years of baking experience behind him leads the one-to-one masterclasses at the Bruntsfield premises but there’s a whole team of talented bakers behind the Breadwinner name.  

Since we have experience in eating cake and not making it, we took along local celebrity baker Lea Harris (the only Scottish contestant on the Great British Bake Off) and watched her and Sean produce some amazing breads and a chocolate fruit strudel.   

Making bread by hand

There’s no doubting the skills that Sean has in the kitchen – it’s like a professional performance watching him knead the bread to perfection. “I love what I do”, he tells us. “It’s not about making money in these classes, it’s about passing the skills I have to people in Edinburgh so the art of bread-making by hand is not lost”.  We can see the kitchen is full of hi-tech machines and a Rolls Royce oven that allow Breadwinner to supply hundreds of loaves on a daily basis, but in these classes, it’s all about using your hands.  

Lea picks up new tips right away as Sean’s son Kris pops in to say hello.  It’s very much a family business now, but Kris is sticking to the business side.  “I don’t want to bake, but love being involved with all our customers”  says the former bank worker.  “I feel like I’ve got the best job in the world as it just doesn’t feel like work“.  Lesley McVey (Sean’s wife and Kris’ mother) also pops in to say hello and the atmosphere transforms to one akin to a family kitchen with lots of chat and banter.  Other Breadwinner bakers pop in and are treated like family and are all in a hurry to declare their love for the job to us.  We would love working here too!

Making Strudel

“I don’t want the old skills to disappear”

The conversation continues to flow as Sean demonstrates to Lea how to make sourdough with Polish sausage and caramelised onion.  We feel confident we’ve learnt several baking skills in a couple of hours that we could attempt a loaf ourselves.  

We’re personally salivating at the mouth as the cheese, chilli and walnut sourdough bread is baking in the oven and trying not to laugh as Lea proclaims her strudel dough “looks like a string vest”.    

Sean makes it look easy, but within minutes, Lea’s pastry is also “thin enough to read a newspaper through”.  The juicy fruit mixture of apples and cranberries is placed on one end of the pastry and the strudel is rolled thanks to the ancient form of ‘apron rolling’. Sean says: ”some of the old ways are still the best and I don’t want these skills to disappear”.   

It’s not a cooking class with lots of pupils, this is one-t0-one teaching from a Master Baker who will tailor the class to your needs.  £90 for a few hours and whole lot of baked goods to take home is a bargain.  Book us in!  

The Breadwinner Bakery supplies wholesale goods only.  You can also find them on facebook and on twitter.  We have reviewed several of Breadwinner’s clients in our food and drink section.

Chocolate fruit strudel

Polish sausage and caramelised onion sourdough bread

Dalry Road, Edinburgh

Looking for a different dining experience?  Try Xiangbala Hotpot

By Victoria Bamber   

As a former student, I have always prided myself on being a connoisseur of local take-aways, fast food eateries and ‘cheap and cheerful’ establishments; yet visiting Xiangbala Hotpot on Dalry Road put all previous Chinese food acquaintances to shame, for this was one of the most authentic and intriguing dining experiences I’ve had in a very long time.   

Visiting a new restaurant is always a bit of a gamble, especially if it hasn’t been recommended or advertised, and it’s fair to say that Xiangbala Hotpot doesn’t look overly inviting from the outside. Little knowing what to expect we entered, and were immediately greeted by a friendly waitress who guided us to our seats and – sensing our confusion – explained how the menu worked in full.   

Ingredients chosen

Unlike conventional restaurants, Xiangbala Hotpot is a bit (a lot) different – because you, the customer, cook the food. The table is provided with a mini oven (complete with child lock for wandering hands), and you are then asked to fill out a menu, ticking boxes for any food that you wish to order. The food comes in sections such as ‘meat’, ‘seafood’ and ‘vegetables’ and you are allowed to tick as many or as few as you like, depending on preference. Being curious and perhaps a little overexcited our group managed to tick around 90% of the menu; it is then collected and the choices are returned swiftly, arranged neatly on novelty platters and plates. The table is then given a pan filled with broth, split into two segments, which heats up on the mini oven and is yours to fill with any or all of the ingredients selected from the menu. Ingenious!   

XiangbalaHotpot gives customers a full two hours in which to cook, sample and create a culinary masterpiece (possibly). If you run out of an ingredient, it is replenished free of charge, and the broth topped up accordingly. But if you arrive expecting lemon chicken, crispy duck or pancakes, sadly you will be disappointed, because the bulk of food on the menu is authentically Chinese, and consists of mussels, squid, pak choi and…chicken feet.  Not a prawn cracker in sight.    

Bubbling away

The food available, although experimental, (and often reminiscent of meals from ‘The Adams Family’),  does include some less ‘unusual’ offerings: lettuce, beef, potato and mushrooms are also on the menu, although may not provide a full meal for those who are a little bit pickier. The great thing about splitting the pan into two sections, gives diners a choice of what they want to eat whilst separating it from food they want to avoid. Beware though, if you opt for the ‘spicy broth’ make sure you have a glass of water at the ready, it burnt for a full 5 minutes afterwards.   

Yet it wasn’t only the food which provided entertainment throughout the evening. The ambiance of Xiangbala Hotpot was very appealing, and whilst the decor may not be suited to everyone’s tastes, it was certainly bright, cheerful and welcoming – especially so after wandering in on a rainy Wednesday evening. Being a restaurant that catered particularly for Edinburgh’s Chinese community, it was nice to feel so welcomed on our first visit. The atmosphere was laid back, friendly and we didn’t feel at all rushed considering how busy it was.   

We had a great time at Xiang Bala Hot Pot. If you are new to the city, or are looking for somewhere to eat that is a bit different and unusual, or you like experimenting with food, this is certainly your place. The restaurant wouldn’t cater to everybody’s tastes though, so if you are on the fussy side, or aren’t a fan of seafood I’d stay clear. Coming in at a fixed price of £15 per person, the bill is reasonable for those who eat their fill and overall the evening was great fun; making the hot pot yourself is a nice touch and creates much entertainment and hilarity around the table…or it did for us anyway!   

Details:  

Xiangbala Hotpot (no website)  63 Dalry Road, Edinburgh, EH11 2BZ.  Telephone - 0131 313 4408    

Open 7 days 3pm – 11pm (last food orders 10pm)  

Suitable for disabled?  There is one small step into the restaurant, but space around the tables are tight.  Staff happy to accommodate wheelchairs though and move tables.  Bathrooms also on ground floor, but space is tight to get there.

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.