WHERE TO DINE IN EDINBURGH - Edinburgh and Glasgow - page 82

the evening, with intermediate palate cleansers such as a bubbly raspberry and gin-
ger beer concoction. Given the restaurant's cozy confines, booking is effectively
mandatory.
267 Canongate. & 0131/558-8737. Reservations required. Fixed-price lunch £10; main courses £15-
£20. MC, V. Daily noon-3pm and 6-10pm. Bus: 35 or 36.
Inexpensive
Kebab Mahal INDIAN The kebab, of course, is the late-night staple for
many a university student. While the late weekend hours of this simple diner means
it attracts that clientele, Kebab Mahal is much more. The counter is full of hot food,
but most of the main courses are prepared separately in a kitchen to the rear. True
to its Islamic owner's faith, Kebab Mahal doesn't have a license to serve alcohol,
doesn't allow diners to bring their own, and closes every Friday from 1 to 2pm for
prayers.
7 Nicolson Sq. & 0131/667-5214. Main courses £4-£6. No credit cards. Sun-Thurs noon-midnight;
Fri-Sat noon-2am (except for Fri prayers). Bus: 3, 5, 29, 31, or 35.
Spoon Café Bistro CAFE This particular “spoon” is far from greasy. The
contemporary cafe moved into new premises in 2009, thus fulfilling the long-
standing ambitions of a bistro that originally lacked the facilities in its first location
on Blackfriars Street. Owner Richard Alexander could cook at the best restaurants
in town—instead, he has opted for his own operation that combines a relaxed ambi-
ence, first-rate espresso-based coffees, and the sure hand of a classically trained
chef. The soups are always superb, whether meat-free options—such as lentil and
red onion or a roast pepper and eggplant—or Italian ham and pea soup. Sandwiches
are prepared freshly, and now you can get more elaborate dishes like crispy pan-
seared trout fillet with a cider vinegar dressing or braised beef with baby potatoes.
Alternatively, you can still simply drop in for a piece of homemade cake: Moist car-
rot or rich chocolate.
6a Nicolson St. & 0131/557-4567. www.spooncafe.co.uk. Soups from £3; sandwiches and salads from
£4.50; main courses £10. MC, V. Mon-Sat 10am-10pm; Sun noon-6pm. Bus: 3, 5, 29, 31, or 35.

7

SOUTHSIDE
Expensive
Rhubarb SCOTTISH/MODERN BRITISH Standing proud amid 5.3 hectares
(13 acres) of private parkland and gardens, 17th-century Prestonfield House is the
elegant home of a five-star hotel (p. 68) that boasts this posh, almost theatrical,
restaurant. Another venture from the owner of The Witchery by the Castle (p. 80),
Rhubarb shares its sense of drama and flair. One signature dish is the chef 's rhubarb
dessert with jelly, custard, and tiny baked Alaska.
Priestfield Rd., about 5km (3 miles) south of Edinburgh city center. & 0131/225-1333. www.
prestonfield.com. Reservations recommended. Fixed-price lunch £17; main courses £18-£25. AE, DC,
MC, V. Daily noon-2pm and 6-10pm. Bus: 2, 14, or 30.
Moderate
Sweet Melindas SCOTTISH/FISH The capital's Marchmont neighbor-
hood, although just south of the Meadows, is far enough from the well-trod traveler's