Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
30 Victoria St.
&
0131/225-7635.
www.grain
store-restaurant.co.uk. Reservations recom-
mended. Fixed-price lunch £12.50; main courses
£17-£25. AE, MC, V. Daily noon-2pm and 6-
10pm (till 11pm Fri and Sat). Bus: 2, 41, or 42.
Ondine
SEAFOOD/FISH This
newcomer to the Edinburgh dining
scene has perhaps made the biggest
splash with its fresh seafood and fish
dishes, using sustainably caught pro-
duce. Chef Roy Brett moves comfort-
ably from fish soup to clam linguini with garlic and red chilies to lemon sole (fillet
or whole), served with shrimp and capers. Diners can enjoy a nicely informal atmo-
sphere that seafood restaurants should have but with plenty of class, too.
2 George IV Bridge.
&
0131/226-1888.
www.ondinerestaurant.co.uk. Reservations recommended.
Fixed-price lunch £15; main courses £15-£22. MC, V. Daily noon-10pm (till 4pm on Sun). Bus: 2, 41, or 42.
The Witchery by the Castle
MODERN SCOTTISH/ BRITISH The restau-
rant, so named because of historical connections to medieval executions nearby and
rumors of lingering ghosts, serves classy Scottish food in classier still surroundings,
with dishes that feature ingredients such as Angus beef, Scottish lobster, and Loch
Fyne oysters. Well-prepared old-time British favorites, such as an omelet Arnold
Bennett (made with cream and smoked fish) or beef Wellington for two (with
accompanying jug of red wine
jus
), mashed potatoes, and green beans, contrast with
a list of more contemporary specials—a starter of hot-smoked salmon with beetroot
puree, for example. Atmospheric and good for special occasions, the Witchery is also
ideal for a sumptuous late meal and then lingering over a postprandial drink until
midnight or so. In addition to the dark and lavish dining room near the street, there
is also the “Secret Garden” further down the narrow close. The premises also house
a boutique hotel (see chapter 6).
Boswell Court, Castlehill, Royal Mile.
&
0131/225-5613.
www.thewitchery.com. Reservations required.
Fixed-price 2-course lunch, pre- and post-theater dinner £13; main courses £18-£25. AE, DC, MC, V.
Daily noon-4pm and 5:30-11:30pm. Bus: 23, 27, 41, or 45.
Moderate
Barioja
SPANISH Just off the Royal Mile with views north towards Calton
Hill and the Royal High School, this tapas bar is the partner to the fine-food Spanish
restaurant IGGS next door. Casual and staffed by natives of Spanish-speaking
nations, Barioja is fun, friendly, and often lively. The kitchen's tapas come in reason-
ably substantial portions, whether tender fried squid, garlicky king shrimps, or spicy
chorizo sausages. Wine prices are somewhat more pricey than the food options.
19 Jeffrey St.
&
0131/557-3622.
www.barioja.co.uk. Tapas £4-£10. AE, MC, V. Daily noon-11pm (10pm
on Sun). Bus: 36.
David Bann
VEGETARIAN Chef David Bann has been at the forefront of
meat-free cooking in Edinburgh for more than a decade. He comes from the school
of thought that insists (and proves) vegetarian meals can be
both
tasty and healthy:
No need to sacrifice the former for the latter. The menu at his eponymous restaurant
Tea for Two?
New in town is
The Edinburgh Larder,
15
Blackfriars St. (
&
0131/556-6922
), for
specially sourced teas (and coffees), as
well as rich cakes such as dark choco-
late and beetroot. For a formal venue,
try the Palm Court at the
The Balmoral,
1 Princes St. (
&
0131/556-2414
).
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