It's all about Flavour Flavour and more....Flavour

Flavour Love this place, and what's no to love!!!
I was doing support in a building we have over the West End, I thought I'd go and get some fish and chips because I know where a good chippy is in that part of Toon. Seen the Cafe and thought try this place it looks like the food will definitely be healthier for you....and I was surprised by the quality and range of food, good friendly banter, and it's a nice place to sit for lunch.

So what have I had to eat in here? Best sandwiches in the Toon as far as I'm concerned...you get a choice of your sandwich technician, you get a wee taste of food if you've not tasted it before, great selection of breads, baguettes and rolls....never been left wanting more after a sandwich...I mind they surprised me by adding some pesto to a sandwich and it really caught me off guard because the flavour really burst through.

I've had a few types of soup and they are all good, had lentil today and it was made the way it should be....class!!

Baked potatoes with various toppings, had chicken curry today came with a good sized side salad and coleslaw...lovely and filling.

I had a Tai Chicken Curry in there once, middle of a freezing winters day....man that made me up, just enough chilli heat, nice sticky rice, lovely sauce....really recommend that.

Flavour should have been on my blog ages ago but I have not been working in the West End for a while, a job came up today so I had to swing by for lunch....the girls are a good fun loving bunch, always better to eat in a place where there is a warm welcome and good cooking!!

They were surprised when I told them I'm taking a pic for my blog....they were quite shocked I had one and they all ran away when I started to focus up.....anyhoo I forgot to take a picture of the Cafe from outsifde....so next time???....going for some frontage girls!!! be ready!!

The Cambridge----not just for education

The Cambridge Bar  20 Young Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4JB

It's a cracking pub, I've been there on many works night out. Today I had the chance to take some colleagues, who don't know the Toon, out for lunch. I already knew... food was good, excellent in fact!!

Chips and onion rings for the table and five burgers ordered up. Buffalo Cajun burger was my choice, it was delicious. I was jealous as heck of the Breakfast burger, it looked the business and was a messy affair with a runny egg!! and then the traditional Bacon Cheese beef burgers...everyone loved the burgers they chose, great service, will definitely be back!!!

There was some class music being played in the background, I was surprised to hear some Tedeschi Trucks Band and some North Mississippi All Stars so yeah I was happy. As I've said , had some cracking nights out in there with ex-colleagues, not too far from the Haymarket Station. It can get a bit busy at night which is always a good sign but the bar area can be a bit crowded, anyway I thoroughly recommend the place.

American Diners.....in Edinburgh???

The City Cafe
Well, up by The Tron there is this gem of a place.
Make no bones about it, this place is designed to be a 50's American Diner.
By night it turns in to a pub, need to try it one night actually!! I just went there for lunch.

Big comfy booths with all the sauces, seasonings,serviettes and menus all tucked up at the wall. Encouraging as I now have the means to put what I want on...what I want....a nice juicy burger!!

Really good friendly staff, good service, good presentation and what I was really impressed with....no need to use any of the sauces for the burger, just a dod of ketchup for the chips...nice chunky chips that were cut thick like planks and everything perfectly seasoned.

I got the Californian burger, chicken breast with guacamole and the usual salad items. It was delicious and very well seasoned and cooked to perfection leaving the chicken juicy! Liked the idea of the chips being served in a miniature deep fry basket. The burger roll is specially made for the City Cafe and it was quality bread, canot stand the usual standard sesame buns you usually get.

My colleague got the Apache burger...he loved it...check out the webpage for the different types of burger on offer...I'll be slowly working my way through them. The City Cafe unfortunately my pics are a bit dark I'll get better ones next time I'm in.

How to use chopsticks....Chinese Restaraunts

Karen's Unicorn

This is a gem of a find, on the corner of Abercromby Street and Dublin Street.
Excellent service from friendly staff, nice classy decor but humble at the same time, nice relaxing place to be for a business lunch...a really nicely priced business lunch too.

First time I went there I left my jacket. Going home that Friday night, I filled my nappy.....where is my jacket??? Where is my house keys??? Aw Naw...Disaster for Scotland!!!! Ran back to the restaurant luckily it was closed but the doors were open, all the staff were having their own meal, but dealt with my panic in a calm friendly way....jacket and keys back in my possession and on the way home......week over...at last!!! Anyway, looks like my mate's wife left her scarf there too.... No feedback how that went...funnily enough no seen her since...I've heard she is alive and well!!!;p)

As I said, professional and friendly staff, prompt service....exactly what you want for a business lunch!
What else can I say? The food is top notch!! This is my second lunch in here Duck Spring rolls, succulent and with a smear of plumb sauce and a sweet chili sauce, which was very mild on the chili, but lovely!!! Now what did I say about prompt service? Spring Rolls came straight from the frier so my mate/colleague burnt his mouth...all I heard was...ooohh hhhaaaa ayeya....but then he was slabbering at the mouth like my old Alsatian mongrel thing I used to have...anyway, gave me a clue to cut them open and give them a minute to cool...spring rolls and the sauces = MAGIC!!!

Round 2 was chicken chow mein, beautiful, in a very very light sauce...managed to knock that down with the chop sticks, I asked for the traditional eating irons just in case, they were only too happy to oblige like a top notch restaurant should. I really don't know how to describe the quality of the dish, the sauce was just right in terms of providing moisture and flavour, really brought the freshness of the vegetables out too, filling, but not so you need an hours kip, and 5 hours later I'm still not hungry...class.

My first meal was Chicken Satay and Chicken Curry, the satay was just deeelish, by the way they chopped, or rather, finely chopped the chicken for the curry, was skill to say the least. Now here is a tip, they give you the curry sauce in a big white spoon. Well....I thought it was a big white spoon...it was after a wee while I figured a jug!!! So for us males out there who represent the last of the of the REAL MEN (just think of John Wayne and Walter Brennan as Stumpy!! In Rio Bravo) it's a jug...I guess the girls would know it's a jug? They just would...but then my dear Mum always reckoned the doctors or nurses gave her the wrong baby or got the name bracelets mixed up...it's not effected me at all her saying that....much!!! LOL probably get a slap from her later....keep ya posted...

The only drawback is walking up the rather steep hill that is Dublin Street going back to the office...gotta be one of the steepest in the Toon?

Time for the pics.....hope they do it justice!!??

Whisky Galore!!!

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society  SMWS Website

Been a member for years, me and The Musketeers are in 28 Queen Street at least once a month. Many a hangover has been had here.

Whiskies...read the SMWS website I put a link to at the top of this post. They just tell it like it is...and the way it should be.

It is my bestest place to be when out in the Toon. Great bar staff, a load of whom me and The Musketeers have become really good personal friends with.

What should I write for a critique?...First time we went to Queen Street the place stank a bit of paint and turpentine, there were no door handles on the doors. We got hammered and fell in love with the place. It was early summer 2004. Its a place where I can go and relax, properly relax. It's a members club and because of that it generally keeps the twats out. So yep, looking for somewhere just to hang and have a beer and a dram? This is the place to be.

The food...it's probably one of the finest places to eat in the toon. One of The Musketeers married his wife because this was the venue for their first date. I've not eaten out of the restaurant, but there has been special occasions held there when we ordered from the restaurant menu and it's just delicious. The Musketeers usually stick to the bar food. I've never had a bad meal...honestly! The main stay regular choice used to be the Venison Burger, but I really recommend the Haggis with a side order of chips, helps quieten down a predicted hangover. The chips come cut in 2 inch x 1/4 inch planks with mustard mayo, great for getting the haggis out the bowl....since then I've moved on to sausages,mash with brussel sprouts and bacon....words cannot describe!!! I was in for lunch today and was advised to try the Rueben sandwadge and paprika chips....delicious!!

This is the place responsible for changing my palette and kicked me off in the right direction to enjoy the finer, more grown up things in life. I've tasted the finest whiskies, wines, seafood, continental and traditional British foods here. Oh yeah...even drank Bourbon here too, cask strength of course!! Now that is saying something.

This place is now part of my DNA, if you get a chance when you are in Edinburgh then ask around your pals to see if a friend of a friend will sign you in...dont ask me I dont drink with strangers....yeah....RRRIIIGGHHTTT!!!

Pics....

Greece.....Summer lovin' happened so fast....ops thats the movie Grease!!

Papii On Yelp

Colleague looked this up on Trip Adviser which highly rated the place. We were not disappointed. Really nice no nonsense food and nice friendly staff.

The dish I had was feta cheese bake with spinach in a filo pastry, I cannot remember the name, it was delicious, luckily I don't have to spell it either!!

My colleague had a soup and a baguette which he wolfed down.

We took on a desert and a coffee especially as a wee sign said everything is sourced locally! I got a scone with jam and cream. Last time I had something that delicious??? Yep...Scotch Malt Whisky Society again...Papii's came with real thick clotted cream, the scone itself was just quality, And this is a really nice find because the coffee is of a quality of Razzo and Brew Lab. Definitely going back.

Wee bit cozy, comfy enough with light decor with cupboard doors hung on the walls....what that about??
Nice friendly staff...just like all the other Greeks I know..top notch food!!

The more POSHER parts of the Toon for Luncheon

Howies Website

Down that street that was used in the Anne Hathaway film, the one where she chucks her knickers at a guy and they just cuddle in bed...now is n't that nice! One Day I think it was called....

Anyway, had Cullen Skink which was class, and a pulled pork sandwich with red cabbage and chips. Really enjoyed that and was on the lunch menu, so good price.

Nice spacious rooms, nice art on the walls...yep I noticed, the waitresses knew all the specials of the day and  we were really nicely served by all the staff.Definitely highly recommended.

I have to say the best Cullen Skink I have had so far in Edinburgh is from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Howies is a really good challenger. If Anne Hathaway decides to take up my Cullen Skink challenge then she should feel free to get in touch...a man can live in hope and I promise to pick up the tab and eh....I'll be gentle coz I know she has feelings....