WHERE TO DINE IN EDINBURGH - Edinburgh and Glasgow - page 79

FAMILY-FRIENDLY fare
The Baked Potato Shop This is a
favorite lunch spot located at 56 Cock-
burn St., just off High St. in Old Town
( & 0131/225-7572 ). Here kids can
order fluffy potatoes with a choice of
hot fillings along with other dishes,
including chili and salads. It's inexpen-
sive, too. Open daily 9am to 9pm.

Valvona & Crolla Caffè Bar Located
at 19 Elm Row, at the top of Leith Walk
( & 0131/556-6066 ), this place is best
known as one of the U.K.'s finest Italian
delis. But if you can get past the
tempting salamis, cheeses, and other
delicacies, V&C also has a welcoming
cafe that handles children in that way
that Italians seem to do best.

7

Inexpensive
Bell's Diner AMERICAN If you're a connoisseur of the burger, consider a
visit to Bell's Diner in Stockbridge. Open for some 30-odd years, it is an institution
in Edinburgh. The diner's chargrilled patties of real ground beef (available in three
different weights) are hand-made and cooked to order, and served with a variety of
toppings (cheese to garlic butter). They come with fries, salad, and a full array of
condiments. The operation's only drawback, aside from its rather compact space, is
the limited hours of operation. On a Saturday it only opens for lunch, which seems
a shame.
17 St. Stephen St. & 0131/225-8116. Reservations recommended. Main courses £6.50-£9. Sun-Fri
6-10pm; Sat noon-10pm. Bus: 24, 29, or 42.
Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant VEGETARIAN Right in the heart of
New Town, Henderson's is another bona fide institution in the Scottish capital.
Once called the “Salad Table,” the business (which includes Henderson's Bistro
around the corner and another outlet on Lothian Road) recently went for a more
formal title, and added an art gallery, too. Regardless, Henderson's is a long-standing
purveyor of healthy, relatively inexpensive meat-free food. Dishes, such as vegetable
stroganoff or mushroom and spinach crepe, complement a choice of a dozen differ-
ent salads, from Greek to spicy bean. Wines include organic options.
94 Hanover St. & 0131/225-2131. www.hendersonsofedinburgh.co.uk. Fixed-price lunch £9.50; main
courses £6-£8. MC, V. Mon-Sat 8am-10:30pm. Bus: 13, 23, or 27.

OLD TOWN
Expensive
The Grain Store SCOTTISH/MODERN BRITISH With its dining room up
some stairs, and wooden tables set amid raw stone walls, the Grain Store capably
captures some Old Town essence and atmosphere. The cooking of owner Carlo Coxon
is often ambitious and innovative, using Scottish produce whenever possible. For
example, the menu might include dishes such as a saddle of Highland venison with a
beetroot fondant, or Pithivier (a French tart) of brown hare with a puff pastry shell.