Edinburgh Restaurants

[Arese]

Hi all

so my girlfriend and I are coming up to Edinburgh this weekend for a break, staying in the Scotsman and hoping to do a few touristy things, weather permitting!

Can anyone recommened a nice restaurant for the Saturday night? Nothing Asian, as she doesn't really like spicy foods, much to my dismay!

Any advice on cool things to do during the day on Saturday/Sunday would be good too

Cheers

[Nefarious]

Martin Wisharts or The Kitchin are the top drawer michelin starred places. £50 a head plus wine for the standard menus, but worth every penny IMO.

The New Bell in Causewayside is my personal favourite "best of the rest". Doesn't look like much - it's above a pub, but the food is A1, staff super-friendly and the wine is very well chosen (and reasonably priced) by an expert somilier.

Rhubarb is a great experience (probably the most impressively opulent venue ever), but the food doesn't quite live up to those very high expectations (pretty much same menu as The Witchery/Tower). Despite that we've still been back a couple of times.

Bell Diner or The Dogs on Hanover street are my personal current faves for more of a quick two courses before/during/after drinks. Oh, and The Kings Walk at the shore is, IMO the best pub food in town (although to call it that does it a disservice).

[Arese]

Thanks for taking the time to reply Nef'..

I do like the look of that Rhubarb, part of the Prestonfield hotel is it? I particular like the directions on the website 'Arriving by helicopter? Click here for our helipads co-ordinates!'... Probably not suitable to turn up in my 147 GTA with noisy exhaust. I think I'm gonna book it actually. Don't suppose you know of any private hire taxi firms with nice cars? I don't want either of us to have to drive really, and a couple of miles walk in bad weather with her hair... you know...

Thanks again

ETA: Rhubarb booked

Edited by Arese on Monday 27th October 19:07

[Nefarious]

You won't be disappointed - it really is an experience of theatrical proportions. Oh, and make sure you accept their offer to take coffee in one of the upstairs lounge rooms.

As for cars, I use Central (0131 229 2468) or City (0131 228 1211), both of which use black cabs only. Don't worry about being posh etc - the staff attitude is very much one of fun rather than looking you up and down.

If you really want to push the boat out though, get a room there for the night - the one we stayed in (one step off the cheapest, IIRC) had a 6' four poster and padded leather wallpaper that could almost swallow you whole!

[TIGA84]

You'll absolutely love Rhubarb.

Theatrical doesn't begin to describe it. We got a cab from the centre where we were staying, was about a tenner I think.

[Arese]

Nefarious said:

You won't be disappointed - it really is an experience of theatrical proportions. Oh, and make sure you accept their offer to take coffee in one of the upstairs lounge rooms.

As for cars, I use Central (0131 229 2468) or City (0131 228 1211), both of which use black cabs only. Don't worry about being posh etc - the staff attitude is very much one of fun rather than looking you up and down.

If you really want to push the boat out though, get a room there for the night - the one we stayed in (one step off the cheapest, IIRC) had a 6' four poster and padded leather wallpaper that could almost swallow you whole!

Hmm, I've already decided what I want to eat I've booked a 19:15 table so we can relax all night and spend a few hours there. Thanks for the cab numbers

I booked an 'Editors room' at the Scotsman, on the recommendation of a colleague who was there last weekend.

TIGA84 said:

You'll absolutely love Rhubarb.

Theatrical doesn't begin to describe it. We got a cab from the centre where we were staying, was about a tenner I think.

I'm quite excited about it!

Any ideas what kind of dress would be suitable? Trousers and a casual shirt? Or is it a suit-type place?

[TIGA84]

Arese said:

Nefarious said:

You won't be disappointed - it really is an experience of theatrical proportions. Oh, and make sure you accept their offer to take coffee in one of the upstairs lounge rooms.

As for cars, I use Central (0131 229 2468) or City (0131 228 1211), both of which use black cabs only. Don't worry about being posh etc - the staff attitude is very much one of fun rather than looking you up and down.

If you really want to push the boat out though, get a room there for the night - the one we stayed in (one step off the cheapest, IIRC) had a 6' four poster and padded leather wallpaper that could almost swallow you whole!

Hmm, I've already decided what I want to eat I've booked a 19:15 table so we can relax all night and spend a few hours there. Thanks for the cab numbers

I booked an 'Editors room' at the Scotsman, on the recommendation of a colleague who was there last weekend.

TIGA84 said:

You'll absolutely love Rhubarb.

Theatrical doesn't begin to describe it. We got a cab from the centre where we were staying, was about a tenner I think.

I'm quite excited about it!

Any ideas what kind of dress would be suitable? Trousers and a casual shirt? Or is it a suit-type place?

Smart Casual would be best I think.

Or a kilt.

[Workshy Fop]

I second The Dogs, maybe better for lunch. The North Bridge Brasserie in the hotel you're staying in is very good, so you could look no further! Things to do? If it's nice weather I'd walk up Calton Hill or go up the Scott Monument. Camera Obscura up by the castle's good too.

[Arese]

Workshy Fop said:

I second The Dogs, maybe better for lunch. The North Bridge Brasserie in the hotel you're staying in is very good, so you could look no further! Things to do? If it's nice weather I'd walk up Calton Hill or go up the Scott Monument. Camera Obscura up by the castle's good too.

Cheers WF. I think on the Saturday we'll probably just relax in the hotel gym and pool, then check out that Brasserie for lunch maybe. On Sunday perhaps check out those places you recommend, thanks. I'll print this thread out

[Arese]

Hey Folks

What a great weekend!

The Scotsman Hotel was great. We parked in the train station car park (Waverley), which is a ten minute walk from the hotel. Check-in was swift and hassle-free, and the room was very nice. Although, there were a couple of issues with the room that I wouldn't expect at that price range. One of the walls had a grubby mark on it like rubber from someone's shoe, and one of the surround-sound speakers didn't work. But, being British, we didn't complain.

Rhubarb was very nice too. We were greeted as though they were expecting us, and had a drink in the lounge to the left of the entrance before eating. We had a nice table and the food was mostly very nice, nice wine too. Then, back to the hotel for drinks in the North Bridge Brasserie. We were chatting to the bar manager for an hour or so whilst he knocked us up some fantastic cocktails!!

Traditional Scottish brekkie in the morning before having a trek around the castle for a couple of hours.

We both had a great weekend and now love Edinburgh, I've already been on the web looking for work up there

Thanks all for your advice.

[TIGA84]

Good man.

Did Rhubarb live up to your expectations, you sounded unsure?

[Arese]

TIGA84 said:

Good man.

Did Rhubarb live up to your expectations, you sounded unsure?

Hmmm. The environment was great, but there just seemed to be a little something missing.

Mrs Arese is a vegetarian, or rather she doesn't eat meat or chicken, but will eat fish. The fish she might have ordered was served with bacon. So I told her to ask the waiter if it was possible to order the fish without the bacon, and maybe the chef could improvise. But she wouldn't, didn't want to make a fuss, so ordered the cauliflower cheese which she was disappointed with.

When the waiter asked if everything was ok with the meal, and Mrs Arese said that her main course was a bit disappointing, he really wasn't interested. I'm not sure what the perfect reaction would have been, maybe an adjustment to the bill, or send over the manager or something, but he did nothing. Shame really, as Mrs Arese said her starter and dessert were excellent.

Me, on the other hand, loved all three courses. 'Sweet-corn and crab veloute with crab
and Iberico ham toasties', followed by 'Slow-braised pork belly and sautéed scallops, turnip purée and boulangère potatoes' and 'Jam doughnut, rhubarb and custard parfait, ginger and white chocolate' for dessert. The pork was excellent!

We liked the city so much that we'll be going back, probably in January. We'll stay at the Scotsman again, but probably try one of your other recommendations for dinner.

Cheers

Edited by Arese on Tuesday 4th November 14:15

Edited by Arese on Tuesday 4th November 14:16

Edited by Arese on Tuesday 4th November 14:16

Edited by Arese on Tuesday 4th November 14:17

Edited by Arese on Tuesday 4th November 14:17

Edited by Arese on Tuesday 4th November 14:18

[threesixty]

Rhubarb is fun isn't it! Feels like the setting for a perfect murder mystery weekend I always think.


Try the Balmoral instead of the scottsman next time though, not quite so modern styling, but its leagues ahead in terms of service and staff.

[TIGA84]

Arese said:

TIGA84 said:

Good man.

Did Rhubarb live up to your expectations, you sounded unsure?

Hmmm. The environment was great, but there just seemed to be a little something missing.

Mrs Arese is a vegetarian, or rather she doesn't eat meat or chicken, but will eat fish. The fish she might have ordered was served with bacon. So I told her to ask the waiter if it was possible to order the fish without the bacon, and maybe the chef could improvise. But she wouldn't, didn't want to make a fuss, so ordered the cauliflower cheese which she was disappointed with.

When the waiter asked if everything was ok with the meal, and Mrs Arese said that her main course was a bit disappointing, he really wasn't interested. I'm not sure what the perfect reaction would have been, maybe an adjustment to the bill, or send over the manager or something, but he did nothing. Shame really, as Mrs Arese said her starter and dessert were excellent.

Me, on the other hand, loved all three courses. 'Sweet-corn and crab veloute with crab
and Iberico ham toasties', followed by 'Slow-braised pork belly and sautéed scallops, turnip purée and boulangère potatoes' and 'Jam doughnut, rhubarb and custard parfait, ginger and white chocolate' for dessert. The pork was excellent!

We liked the city so much that we'll be going back, probably in January. We'll stay at the Scotsman again, but probably try one of your other recommendations for dinner.

Cheers

Edited by Arese on Tuesday 4th November 14:15

Edited by Arese on Tuesday 4th November 14:16

Edited by Arese on Tuesday 4th November 14:16

Edited by Arese on Tuesday 4th November 14:17

Edited by Arese on Tuesday 4th November 14:17

Edited by Arese on Tuesday 4th November 14:18

That surprises me, Mrs Tiga is dairy intolerant. So no butter/cream/milk/cheese in ANYTHING. They were the only restaurant (and that includes some london numbers, that simply went "no problem" and made everything dairy free.

Thought the service was excellent, I'm disappointed for you, you must have had a bum waiter.