Ever since Anteaques in South Clerk Street closed, I’ve rather lamented a good place to have an afternoon tea this side of Edinburgh.
Well, that is until now. Following extensive renovations, the Victoria Pub on Causewayside has re-opened as continental gem Damm27 and is serving afternoon tea as well as other culinary delights, in a European inspired all-day dining menu. EdinburghFoody went along to try it out.
Damm27 has a really cool, welcoming vibe – head here to escape the Fringe madness
The old traditional boozer, which has been closed since last September, has undergone a substantial refurbishment to transform it into an intimate bar and bistro.
Owner Andy McCartney, who has a number of bars in Glasgow, greeted us warmly. Open since April, the new space is a rustic, funky space with a focus on quality food and drink that offers all-day dining, with a menu inspired by classic European dishes.
It’s got a cool vibe and the staff are really friendly. The backlit bar displays the drinks on offer and it’s great to see some non-alcoholic offerings too, including my recent new find, Seedlip, which is great for those wanting a more temperate evening.
Damm27
Open seven days a week, the relaxed approach to eating and drinking begins with coffee and European papers every morning and continues with menus that run all day from brunch to lunch to dinner. On Tuesdays, lobster is the star of the show, which is served with fries, garlic butter and a bottle of excellent French sauvignon blanc and costs £50 for two or if you want to push the boat out, they can pop the cork on a bottle of Perrier Jouet for an extra £25. On Friday and Saturday nights the resident DJ shakes things up whilst the Bottomless Brunch on Saturday and Sunday mornings caught my eye and will be one I’ll definitely be seeking out sometime during the Fringe – possibly not when I’m reviewing for the Wee Review though.
Ooh la la – afternoon tea is also on offer
At Damm27, they’ve given the traditional afternoon tea a sprinkling of French flair with the launch of Le Goûter. Oozing ‘ooh la la’, it’s a suitably chic affair of filled croissants and dainty French pastries impeccably arranged on marble cake stands.
Ooh la la – Mais oui to afternoon tea at Damm27 – credit – Gram Social
There’s a lot of food and it’s incredibly good value. We were served two of the marble platters – one with the savoury options and the other with the sweets.
I err on preferring more savoury options and they didn’t disappoint. Head Chef, Andy Keir has produced a really interesting assortment of eats that even the men in your lives will like – afternoon tea doesn’t just need to be for the girls.
I loved the miniature ham and Gruyère stuffed croissants and the mini savoury tartlets and the Pastéis de Nata aka Portuguese Custard Tarts were the best I had tasted outside of Portugal. The mini macaroons also went down a storm – and luckily for me, I got to devour them all – as my dining partner was satiated.
Damm27’s afternoon tea doesn’t disappoint and there’s a great mix of savoury and sweet options
Served with tea or coffee, the selection of sweet and savoury delights is available Monday to Saturday for £12.50. An indulgent upgrade can include a glass of Prosecco, garnished with a fresh raspberry, while I opted for one of Damm27’s signature cocktail, an Espresso Martini, which costs £17.50. And for those of you wanting a more decadent option, you can sip on a glass of Perrier Jouet champagne for £22.50.
The Espresso Martini was my drink of choice to accompany my afternoon tea
I’m delighted Damm27 has opened up just in time for the Festival, and just around the corner from Summerhall. If you’re looking for a haven of calmness away from the festival madness, I can highly recommend heading here. This visit certainly won’t be my last.
Damm27
27 Causewayside
Edinburgh EH9 1QF
www.damm27.com
Tel: 0131 667 6693
Email: contact@damm27.com
Instagram / Facebook – @Damm27edin
Kerry dined as a guest of Damm27
Picture credit – some photos, where stated, copyright – Gram Social
