When I grew up, French food was the epitome of all things elegant and fancy. The country had the patent on style, sartorial and culinary. Italian was earthy, Chinese exotic but only French managed to be elegant. In the town I spent my first ten years there were only three…
A couple of months ago, the Hotel du Vin chain launched Sunday brunch. Forget everything you know about brunch: Hotel du Vin’s offering is something else. We’re not talking a stack of American pancakes with syrup and blueberries, or even eggs Florentine. We’re talking four courses of fabulous food. At…
I had the fortune to interview Paul Tamburrini last year, before The Honours opened. Conceived as a more relaxed, casual dining experience than Martin Wishart’s eponymous restaurant in Leith, The Honours is a high quality brasserie on North Castle Street. Six of us got together a couple of Saturdays ago…
Michael Neave’s Kitchen and Whisky Bar is hidden at the bottom of Old Fishmarket Close, one of the historical streets that run from the Royal Mile to the Cowgate, in a bright, modern space that was a Thai restaurant the last time I was there (a few years ago now). It…
I’ve been to Timberyard twice since my preview which you’ll find below and my expectations have been fulfilled! Savouring the Timberyard On a Friday evening the place was buzzing. The staff are lovely – knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We tuck into the 4 course set menu featuring small, medium and large…
Stockbridge hides a number of gems in cellars along St Stephen Street. Purslane is a recent addition to the area. The owner, Paul Gunning, and his head chef, Craig Smith, feel strongly about using seasonal ingedients and presenting them at their very best. The dining experience they offer is one they call ‘casual fine dining’.…
The Sheep Heid Inn has a long and illustrious history. It’s one of the oldest pubs in Scotland (the oldest, maybe), it has a skittles alley and a beer garden. It is nestled in the village of Duddingston, in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat. It’s been there for a long…
With a glamorous companion in tow, I went to Kyloe, the new restaurant and grill at The Rutland. Kyloe is an old Scots word for for highland cattle and it is obvious from the wood, leather and pony of the interior that this is a meat – specifically beef – focused…
July 2011 Visiting the Edinburgh Festival this August? You’re in for a treat on 5 August, when Ondine welcomes The J Sheekey pop-up at Ondine on August 5th. J Sheekey is Roy Brett’s favourite restaurant. It has the same approach to fish and shellfish and as Head Chef Richard Kirkwood…
I was reminded of how much I enjoy oysters when I tasted some lovely plump ones from AnCuig Seafoods at the Scottish Food show last week. So when it was suggested that we go to Mussel Inn for dinner Friday night I knew immediately what my starter would be.
