Your lunch recommendations?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 16 Sep 2008, 19:08

It's my wife's birthday next Friday and I'm taking her out for lunch. I'm a bit out of touch on the Edinburgh restaurant scene. Where do you recommend?

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 16 Sep 2008, 19:15

Bob Jefferson wrote:It's my wife's birthday next Friday and I'm taking her out for lunch. I'm a bit out of touch on the Edinburgh restaurant scene. Where do you recommend?

According to Wikipedia, McDonalds is the worlds largest chain of fast food restaurants. Sounds like a good enough reason to choose them as your restaurant of choice! And very helpfully there are plenty branches in Auld Reekie.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 16 Sep 2008, 19:42

Has to be the Espy surely?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 16 Sep 2008, 20:48

Michael, believe me - I am more likely to fire-bomb McDonald's than to eat there.

Epy's Espy is a possibility though.

Any more?

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 16 Sep 2008, 20:51

Bob Jefferson wrote:Michael, believe me - I am more likely to fire-bomb McDonald's than to eat there.

Im not really a fan of mcdonalds myself but arson isnt really my thing.

On a serious note though, last year I had the privilage of dining at the Witchery, and oh my! It was fantastic!! Normally out of my price range but a very special friend and I thought we deserved to live a bit of the high life for one evening.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 16 Sep 2008, 20:54

Urban Angel's brill too (organic wine Bob!). Veggie and mostly organic I think.

Lima · Post by **Lima** » 16 Sep 2008, 21:39

Have been to the Witchery several times and they do a very reasonable lunch menu where dishes are around £12.50 for a main course.

In terms of good places for lunch the following are all great options:

The Espy
Longniddry Inn - Big hearty portions, great choice and around £8.00 per main dish
The Cokcatoo (millerhill) Very similar to the Longniddry Inn but closer to £10.00 a main dish.
Caprice Pizzarama at Musselburgh is a great wee venue very reasonable and great pizza and pasta. Not the greatest decor, a bit early 80's but the food more than makes up for it. Also does fish shaped Pizza's for children.

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 16 Sep 2008, 21:42

First Coast in Dalry do a very good (and cheap

) lunch/early evening menu, £9.95 for 2 courses if I remember rightly.

I'd also second the Espy recommendation.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 16 Sep 2008, 21:44

Lima wrote:Have been to the Witchery several times and they do a very reasonable lunch menu where dishes are around £12.50 for a main course.

£12.50??? Our meal for two was a couple of hundred quid! Im meeting up with a friend in a few weeks, might see about heading there for a cheap lunch!

arachnid · Post by **arachnid** » 16 Sep 2008, 22:53

Why not bring your wife for a lovely day out to Linlithgow???

There's quite a choice here!
There's the Four Marys, The Star and Garter, The Bridge Inn, and The Bonsyde Hotel which is up on a hill overlooking Linlithgow which would be perfect for a birthday!!!!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 17 Sep 2008, 12:01

The Outsider- you can't go wrong.

Lima · Post by **Lima** » 17 Sep 2008, 13:26

Apologies Bob, I have misquoted the prices on the Witchery, I have double checked and it is £12.95 for a 2 course light lunch.

Michael, not sure what Witchery you and your special friend were in (possibly the one in your head) but their dearest dish is the Chateaubriand which is around £50.00 and is for 2 people. If I recall correctly it was only £30 for the steak.

In terms of the Witchery being expensive the wine list is extensive and coverls all tastes, dishes and price with some bottles costing several hundreds of pounds upwards

teddygirl · Post by **teddygirl** » 17 Sep 2008, 16:42

I would certainly agree with the Outsider, had a lovely meal there recently but then again I've been impressed with Espy and it is certainly very handy being just down the road.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 17 Sep 2008, 16:45

Where is 'The Outsider'?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 17 Sep 2008, 16:54

It's where Bauermeister used to be on George IV Bridge. Gets rave reviews and somewhere I have wanted to try for a while, so it's a strong contender.

http://www.restaurant-guide.com/outside ... nt-the.htm

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 17 Sep 2008, 17:27

Anyone tried Herbe Bistro?

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 17 Sep 2008, 17:31

Lima wrote:Michael, not sure what Witchery you and your special friend were in (possibly the one in your head) but their dearest dish is the Chateaubriand which is around £50.00 and is for 2 people. If I recall correctly it was only £30 for the steak.

In terms of the Witchery being expensive the wine list is extensive and coverls all tastes, dishes and price with some bottles costing several hundreds of pounds upwards

Perhaps you are right, maybe the couple of hundred was for the whole evening, a year ago is a long time ago for us young people you know!

Robin! · Post by **Robin!** » 17 Sep 2008, 19:38

Waterline on the Shore, Leith

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 18 Sep 2008, 11:19

Bob Jefferson wrote:Anyone tried Herbe Bistro?

I tried it a few times when it was opposite The Outsider, it was really good. However, I think it is out of business. There is a branch of the olive branch there now. Unless Herbe surfaced somewhere else?

magbagpuss · Post by **magbagpuss** » 18 Sep 2008, 16:51

How far do you want to go Bob ? For my birthday my brother and sister-in-law took Derek and I to Kushis in Dunfermline . Quite honestly best Indian food we have ever eaten. Trust me , we have tested a few.Pricey but worth every penny.

Charlie · Post by **Charlie** » 18 Sep 2008, 18:21

Bob - recently ate at Le Café St.Honoré. YUM!

http://www.edinburghrestaurants.co.uk/r ... honore.asp

teddygirl · Post by **teddygirl** » 18 Sep 2008, 19:16

magbagpuss wrote:How far do you want to go Bob ? For my birthday my brother and sister-in-law took Derek and I to Kushis in Dunfermline . Quite honestly best Indian food we have ever eaten. Trust me , we have tested a few.Pricey but worth every penny.

There's a Kushis in Edinburgh too so no need to go so far, or is the Dunfermline one better ? I wouldn't know as I have never been to either but a friend of mine has been to the Edinburgh one and certainly rates it.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 19 Sep 2008, 20:00

Bob Jefferson wrote:It's where Bauermeister used to be on George IV Bridge. Gets rave reviews and somewhere I have wanted to try for a while, so it's a strong contender.

http://www.restaurant-guide.com/outside ... nt-the.htm

Yep, definitely a good choice though service can be a bit erratic.

Across the road where Dial was is Olive Branch Bistro - not been but has had good reviews.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 19 Sep 2008, 21:23

So Dial became Herbe Bistro became Olive Branch? What will it be next Friday I wonder? I ate at the Olive Branch in Stockbridge a while back and it was ok but nothing special.

I'm still undecided. Any more suggestions before I make a final decision?

slvrpe · Post by **slvrpe** » 19 Sep 2008, 22:56

I'd have to recommend The Glasshouse in Mussleburgh - one of my favourites

http://www.theglasshouseateskmills.com/

Post by **wangi** » 20 Sep 2008, 00:29

slvrpe wrote:I'd have to recommend The Glasshouse in Mussleburgh - one of my favourites

It's nice; but not super great in my opinion. Opinions are great, everyone has a different one! In Musselburgh we're quite fond of Chubara - the Indian upstairs at The Quayside.

The Tower has been around a while... but still really like it. And The Nargyle on Hanover St is due another visit soon.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 20 Sep 2008, 10:08

I'm a Nargyle fan too.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 20 Sep 2008, 10:38

Ah, Nargile. Turkish restaurant.

Lunch menu

Hmm, I think I will compile a short-list and let Michele decide.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 20 Sep 2008, 15:28

Nargile is excellent, went recently with a friend and we had meze - it was very good and plentiful, had a bottle of wine and finished with turkish apple tea.

Hanedan is another good bet. http://www.hanedan.co.uk/

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 26 Sep 2008, 09:30

Bit late now , but meant to suggest the restaurant in the National Galleries. Good food and lovely view out over Princes Street gardens as you dine.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 26 Sep 2008, 09:52

We decided on The Outsider in the end, though I'm a bit apprehensive about the accounts of the rude owner and unfriendly service. Let you know how it goes. Thanks for all the recommendations - hope to try out a few more over the next few months!

Grunk · Post by **Grunk** » 26 Sep 2008, 13:18

Bob Jefferson wrote:We decided on The Outsider in the end, though I'm a bit apprehensive about the accounts of the rude owner and unfriendly service. Let you know how it goes. Thanks for all the recommendations - hope to try out a few more over the next few months!

The owner is a tit, but I found the staff were friendly, and appologetic of the owner.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 26 Sep 2008, 15:01

Grunk wrote: The owner is a tit, but I found the staff were friendly, and appologetic of the owner.

i'm gobsmacked. Not doubting you but I must have eaten there more than 20 times and apart from the nonsense about not being able to take your jacket into the dining area, I've never had an issue.

We are going there tomorrow night.

How was it Bob?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 26 Sep 2008, 15:31

Not sure if the owner was present, but the staff were friendly, attentive and attractive. We chose from the light lunches menu and were happy with the moules frites and gnocchi. We had pudding and coffee and paid £45 including a bottle of wine and tip, so no complaints. Not the best lunch I've ever had but certainly not the worst.

By coincidence, Michele is eating at the sister restaurant, The Apartment tomorrow.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 26 Sep 2008, 15:42

Phew- that sounds like it was pretty good.

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Your lunch recommendations?

Your lunch recommendations?

Re: Your lunch recommendations?