SVA Forum

vpa-ni · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:17 pm Post subject: Nice restaurant in Edinburgh?

OK girls - looking for a recommendation of a nice restaurant in Edinburgh please. Something a bit more unusual than your standard steak and chips - but definitely not sushi!!

I am flying over to meet my hubbie on Friday - he is over at the Police Rehabilitatoin Centre getting some inensive phsio to try and help him after the motorbike accident. We are staying at the Raddison in the Golden Mile area, so somewhere in that general area would be great.

The kids are staying at home and their auntie is coming to look after them - woooohoooo !!!!!!

_________________
Heather Greig
VPA-NI
(Virtual Personal Assistant-Northern Ireland)

Phone: 07796 570850
Email: info@vpa-ni.co.uk
Web: www.vpa-ni.co.uk

dazzamatheson · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:02 pm Post subject:

Well Heather I lived in Edinburgh for 9 years and there are LOTS of lovely places to eat.
It's been a wee while since my last visit but George Street (the street running parallel behind Princes Street) is full of lovely eateries. I'll start from the East end to the West end of George Street: The Dome (www.thedomeedinburgh.com) at the East end of George street is GORGEOUS but has gorgeous prices to match. Even just pop in for a drink at the bar because the atmosphere and surroundings are amazing.
Le Monde Hotel (www.lemondehotel.co.uk) next door has 2 nice restaurant with funky surroundings.
Tiger Lily at the other end of George Street (www.tigerlilyedinburgh.co.uk) is beautiful inside and has yummy semi pricey food.
Est Est Est (www.estestest.co.uk) at the far end of George street is a yummy trendy italian place and is pretty reasonable.
Phew! - hope that helps.
Enjoy your trip
Diane
_________________
Diane Murray
D Murray Business Solutions
www.theadministrator.co.uk

caroline · Posted: Wed Sep 09, 2009 10:47 pm Post subject:

What budget were you thinking? Due to some rather lovely expense accounts I used to go out in Edinburgh quite often... The Witchery is really special but I have a vague recollection of being told off about the receipt on that one! Harvey Nicks Restaurant has a wonderful balcony for drinks if it's a nice evening.

This one is fun and not too pricey if you like Tapas and is v nearby the station/sites etc. http://www.list.co.uk/place/100326-barioja/

Have a lovely evening - you deserve it!
_________________
To support SVA please donate to: http://tinyurl.com/37urec

jackie · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:34 pm Post subject:

Ok, if you're just off the Royal Mile and don't want to take transport anywhere you need to pick somewhere you can walk to.

I can highly recommend Barioja - it's owned by a friend of mine, Iggy Campos, and is great fun on a busy night with lots of atmosphere. That's in Jeffrey Street and is downhill from your hotel. Just across from the hotel is a wee place called Dubh Prais, owned by James McWilliams who is also the chef. They don't have a great number of places, so it's a good idea to book.

There are loads of 'bog standard' eateries on the Royal Mile itself, but you're probably wanting something a little bit different. I used to look after the Edinburgh Restaurateurs' Association (www.edinburghrestaurants.co.uk) and there is a range of prices here.

I can echo Caroline's comments about The Witchery. However, The Tower (part of the National Museum of Scotland) on Chamber Street, is also owned by James Thomson and is, I think, nicer with a more approachable menu.

I also like the North Bridge Brasserie on North Bridge (top) - it's in the old Scotsman newspaper building, which has now been turned into The Scotsman Hotel, but the brasserie itself is up the steps into what used to be the old public counter for the paper. Was in there for a drink one Sunday recently to escape fringe crowds and my partner who'd never been in, was amazed to find such a calm oasis when all around was a bit mad. Not sure about prices here as the only time I've eaten here I was taken as a guest, but going by their tea/coffee, it seems reasonable enough. There is also Hadrian's Brasserie at the foot of North Bridge (on the corner of Princes Street) which is part of the Balmoral but there's not much atmosphere and certainly nothing to look at apart from the other guests. Not eaten here in a long time, but again as it's Rocco Forte's place, should be ok!

Further afield, if you wanted to say head down to Leith, Daniel's Bistro is very good (again, owned by Frenchman Daniel Venker who used to have a posh place on the Royal Mile till he gave up on it and opened the bistro which is fab)

Hope that helps, if I think of more, I'll post again.

And of course, we do want to know where you end up going and what it was like!!

vpa-ni · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 1:43 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys - thats a fantastic selection of choices!!

I will have a look and then let hubby's wallet decide.

I'll let you know next week how we got on.

Cheers.
_________________
Heather Greig
VPA-NI
(Virtual Personal Assistant-Northern Ireland)

Phone: 07796 570850
Email: info@vpa-ni.co.uk
Web: www.vpa-ni.co.uk

vpa-ni · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:23 am Post subject: Wonderful weekend

What a fantastic weekend we have just had. All your recommendations were fantastic and we managed to find most of the restaurants you listed.
Caroline - I met up with some friends who live in Glasgow and we had lunch in Harvey Nicks - I only had soup as I knew I was eating later with my hbby - but it was a nice location and the soup was tatsy.

Jackie - we did look at the Witchery but decided that we might get better value if we move slightly off the main Royal Mile.

Diane - we called in at the Dome for a drink and you are right the building is beautiful. Le Monde was right next door and we also found Tiger Lily at the end of Georges Street. In the end we decided to eat in Gustos (just up from Tiger Lilys) - which was a good choice.

On Saturday night we upped the anti and dined at Wedgewood on Canongate. - What a choice! Excellent from start to finish. Yes it was at the top end of the budget (just under £100) but well worth every penny. The service and food were impeccable from start to finish and I would highly recommend it for a very special evening.

Thanks everyone. Laughing

_________________
Heather Greig
VPA-NI
(Virtual Personal Assistant-Northern Ireland)

Phone: 07796 570850
Email: info@vpa-ni.co.uk
Web: www.vpa-ni.co.uk

dazzamatheson · Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:53 am Post subject:

Glad you had a great weekend. Next time I'm in Edinburgh I might try some of your own recommendations!
Diane
_________________
Diane Murray
D Murray Business Solutions
www.theadministrator.co.uk

Berni Jones · Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:33 pm Post subject:

I have just come back from Edinburgh today, and I remembered the recommendations re the Royal Mile, etc. What a brilliant time I had. I also went to Glasgow on Friday, and it was really nice there too.

I had never visited Scotland before, but I will definitely be going back! Very Happy

Berni
_________________
first4admin