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Meal out on Saturday with Mrs S for her birthday. Looking for something French or Scottish or similar. Preferably Old Town and ideally a short walk from George IV bridge. Don't mind spending a bit, just want decent food and nice relaxed atmosphere. Looked at Michael Neave which ticked all boxes but is fully booked
Witchery.
Good call, stayed at the Witchery but not eaten there
The one on top of the National Museum is supposed to be good as well IIRC
Eaten at the Witchery, was good, still remember what I had ~7 1/2 years ago (was venison with deep fried mash).
On the cheap end there's Mums on Forrest Road (if you like pies and bangers and mash):P
Wings
I'm no expert and haven't eaten too many posh meals in my time but the Timberyard might be worth a shout. Just across the Grassmarket over from the Art School. More ny-nordic meets Scottish hipster than French if I had to label it (but then I know [edit]very little) but the taster menu with paired drinks is pretty special.
[edit 2] also fits the brief for relaxed/informal. May be a bit too hipster chic for some tastes on that front.
Food at Dubh Prais is excellent and proper Scottish. It's a tiny downstairs place - cosy but not glamourous so the venue in itself won't impress but the food will. It's at the bottom of the Royal Mile near Waverley so location should fit.
Aizle
Ondine?
Great seafood. Nae cheap.
Angels and Bagpipes on the Royal Mile/High Street.
We had our Christmas meal there last year and the food and service were very good.
Michael Neave's Kitchen and Whisky Bar
The Banana Leaf for masarla dosa and the decor of a 1970s taxi rank.
La Garrigue
Another vote for [url= http://www.lagarrigue.co.uk/ ]La Garrigue[/url]
Highly recommended
Angels and Bagpipes on the Royal Mile/High Street.
We had our Christmas meal there last year and the food and service were very good.
+1, including the Christmas meal last year bit 😉
Would also recommend Maison Bleu, definitely French themed but with a more Moroccan twist, the Lamb Tajine is amazing (although check with the waiter re: portion size, I'm pretty sure it's meant for two 8) ) about 1/3rd of the way down Victoria Street, just off George IV Bridge
Howies on Victoria Street
Scottish/A bit French-ish/Traditional
[url= http://www.howies.uk.com/victoria-street-edinburgh/menus/ ]http://www.howies.uk.com/victoria-street-edinburgh/menus/[/url]
The one on top of the National Museum is supposed to be good as well IIRC
The Tower Restaurant (same people as Witchery)
Thats the one. Didn't realise it was the same as Witchery, thought it had a sister place on Rose Street for some reason...
Heard very mixed reviews of Witchery though haven't eaten there myself, I suspect there is much better out there.
Timberyard is amazing but doubt you'd get a table; maybe worth phoning even if online shows as fully booked. Aizle nearly as good but about half the price though again you might struggle to get in. Castle terrace is shut for refub until late Jan or I would also suggest that.
In "not selling a kidney" category, La Garrigue is always excellent; also Blackfriars on Blackfriars Street - probably my two favourite places in Edinburgh, factoring in price. Wedgwood on Royal Mile is also good pretty good. Aizle, noted above, is similar money.
Edinburgh's not so big - if you're willing to branch out toward the New Town, Honours on Castle Street is maybe 10-15 mins walk, great bistro run by Martin WIshart (of eponymous Leith restaurant). Also Cafe St Honore on Thistle Street, similar distance. L'escargot bleu and blanc on Q'ferry and Broughton Streets (or is it the other way around?) are good and Cafe Marleyne also comes recommended.
I'm hungry just writing this!
So..
Timberyard - no tables
Michael Neave - No Tables
Tower - Eaten there relatively recently
Angels with Bagpipes - No Tables
Aizle - Closed until later in the month
Howies - been there before, was a bit meh
Maison Bleu - Eaten there a few times so fancy a change
La Garrigue - current front runner
Next question then, a decent, stylish bar relatively near to La Garrigue or around Old Town general area to get Mrs more drunk before hotel.....
Not sure it fits your criteria on this occasion but I've been a couple of times to Under The Stairs for an informal meal
+1
for Food at Dubh Prais is excellent and proper Scottish.
or
Wedgewood in the Cannongate
Devils Advocate http://devilsadvocateedinburgh.co.uk/ not tried it but heard good things
Devils Advocate good drinks choice, but has always been very very quiet when I've been, lacks a bit in atmosphere.
Monteiths another good drinks choice.
Blackfriars is my personal choice in that area for food and drink.
Cellar Door is quite nice food, plus my daughter works there to supplement her student loan - tips welcome 🙂
the Grain Store on Victoria Street should fit the bill, you could also try Divino Enoteca on Merchant Street just off candlemaker row. It's the same people as the italian above on George IV bridge but you're in the caverns below, looks fantastic.
Void..lol.
L'Escargot Blue (West End), or L'Escargot Blanc (Broughton St). Both lovely, with good variety on the menu. Slightly further than your initial remit, but worth it.
EDIT: Also Cafe St Honore or Marlayne, as suggested above.
Mark Greenaway on North Castle Street is outstanding. Some of the best meals I've ever had. I wish I was working in Edinburgh again just so I could go there.
The Honours is also good. Witchery was ok, but not nearly as good as I was expecting/ hoping.
In descending order of my preference of the relevant ones
Angels with Bagpipes (top of Royal Mile)
Wedgwood (bottom of Royal Mile)
Ondine (but v expensive)
Cafe St Honore
Escargot Bleu
La Garrigue
Stac Polly
Not been to Witchery for a while but it was good, but OK
Cannot comment on Tower, Honours, Castle Terrace, The Kitchin as not been.
Went to La Garrique last year, [i]fantastic[/i] food. Need to get back there. Ondine's good but honestly didn't think it was worth the price.
Café Marlayne
Are there actually two of these in Edinburgh, one on Thistle St and one on Antigua St? Or just one and it moved?
I've been to the one on Antigua St
EDIT: seems there are two and it's the same people
For drinks, we seem to be going through a cocktail phase at the moment and recommend the following;
Panda & Sons - Queen Street (speakeasy style bar you enter through a barber's shop front)
Hoot the Redeemer - Hanover Street (similar to above, same owners I think)
Element - Rose Treet
We've been to the The Atelier on Morrison Street a couple of times. Was blown away the first time second time didn't quite live up to the first but was still pretty good. Fairly cheap as well.
Shebeen is good if all you want is socking great big lump of beef cooked really well.
We dropped into Wildest Drams on the Royal Mile on the off chance they had room and they managed to fit us in. Can't remember what I ate but it was very good.