Category: Restaurants, pubs and stalls

Vini Bal’s – Quick, authentic curry in a pouch

Nicki Sturzaker February 21, 2017 April 25, 2017

Now some might think the title of this post is a bit of an oxymoron, but I really was hugely impressed with the cook-in sauces from Vinni and Bal. I have been caught in the past trying out other Indian sauces available in a jar from the supermarket, but they…

Stack Dim Sum Bar – keep bringing the goodies

Caroline von Schmalensee February 10, 2017 February 24, 2017

Chicken with fermented tofu sauce. Gently funky.

My friend R. and I meet a couple of times a year to eat seafood. Often, we claim one of these get-togethers is a belated birthday celebration (because it sounds better than a pig-out). To start this year well, we decided to have dumplings because it was Friday 13th.

Pompadour by Galvin: luxurious lunch in exquisite surroundings

Caroline von Schmalensee January 31, 2017 February 2, 2017

The sea bream of my dreams. The Jerusalem artichoke fricassé was gorgeous.

The Galvin brothers have two restaurants in The Caledonian hotel. We wrote about wine tastings at the Brasserie Deluxe last year. This January, Pompadour by Galvin, the restaurant upstairs, has opened for Saturday lunch. Did I want to come and review? Oh yes!

Pizzeria1926 – authentic Neapolitan pizza in Edinburgh

Caroline von Schmalensee January 27, 2017 January 20, 2017

La Luciana - the light of my heart. Look at the colour of that crust! See the gorgeous octopus. Find the garlic slices.

Locanda de Gusti is one of my favourite restaurants and regular readers know that I’m a fan of its owner, Rosario Sartore. Back in October he told me he was opening a Neapolitan pizza restaurant across the road: last week it opened. I was there on day two.

Wagamama’s steamed buns: my latest Asian craving

Nicki Sturzaker January 20, 2017 January 20, 2017

As a family we often have a default mode of grabbing a pizza before we head to the movies, so it was really refreshing to receive an invite from Wagamamas to pop in and try their new selection of hirata steamed buns over the holidays.

Dishoom Edinburgh launch event – Nicki reports

Caroline von Schmalensee January 19, 2017 August 4, 2019

One of the dishes served on the night. Image with kind permission by Ryan Buchanan.

Kerry and I had the pleasure of popping into Dishoom, the amazing new Bombay Cafe on St Andrew’s Square on launch night.

The Walnut in Leith – home away from home

Nicki Sturzaker January 6, 2017 January 15, 2017

Hot smoked salmon, beetroot & horseradish

Well, we have all survived the excesses of Christmas and as a family we were certainly no different, however I made sure we had one evening’s escape from the kitchen as a treat and change of scene for everyone. So, where do you go that will please everyone’s palette’s without…

The Wee Restaurant: a first look at their wine dinners

AmyB January 3, 2017 January 8, 2017

Back in November, I made a long overdue visit to The Wee Restaurant’s Edinburgh outpost. It’s a bright space; cosy but not claustrophobic. We were delighted to be invited along to one of their special 4 course wine dinners (£50pp). Hosted with L’Art Du Vin, the evening was an opportunity…

The Stockbridge Restaurant Revisited

AmyB December 16, 2016 January 8, 2017

Unlike Caroline, I’d always been a little wary of The Stockbridge Restaurant. To me, dark walls, heavy curtains and white table clothes were more old fashioned than inviting. But what better reason to try a place than to prove yourself wrong?

Forage & Chatter treats seasonal ingredients with skill and love

Caroline von Schmalensee December 9, 2016 December 7, 2016

Apple and meadow sweet gratin, yoghurt in an elevated form at Forage & Chatter.

I was a huge fan of Edinburgh Larder Bistro, the last occupant of the down’stairs corner unit at 1 Alva Street. I was therefore very curious indeed when invited to review the new occupant: Forage & Chatter. It’s maybe unfair going to a restaurant when you’re, as it were, thinking…