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....

The leaning tower of Pizza....Italian joints and wise guys

Valvona and Crolla Website

 Mulltrees Walk, where the old bus station used to be. This part of toon is definitely for the snobs that need drop kicked. If you want to reminisce about the old Bus Station, watch Restless Natives where two lads try to be Dick Turpin and use a 125cc Honda motorbike as Black Bess and hi-jack tourist buses. Big Country done the soundtrack...cracking movie.

Anyway...the critique.....

Up it' s own backside, all I have to say here. Went in, was told the restaurant was busy please sit at the bar. Sat at the bar and we sat at the bar...and we sat at the bar. The two bints next to us got chatted up by the waiter who took their order and we were completely ignored....just goes to show what Boobs, Ass and black tights does to an Italian waiter.....now I have to ask why do women want equality? It's a rhetorical question by the way and I dont want any feminista replies.....walked out not going back.

Martone Website

On the point of Leith Street and Wellington Place, cracking restaurant. Normally have the pizzas from here as I just love a good pizza and their calzone is the biz!

Nice friendly staff, service can take a wee minute as good food should not be rushed....it's worth it. Nice friendly staff and it has WiFi just in case you have to look up my blogs!

Cafes and Greasyspoons......thousanads of them....

Beetlejuice  On Yelp

Get the impression this used to be someone's living room. It's across the road from The Blind Poet and The Pear Tree pubs and a stones throw from Edinburgh University.

Staff are friendly and up for a laugh, comfy enough even though a bit cozy Student prices so quite cheap. Good home made soup and a panini. So no nonsense kinda grub, especially if you are a student with your backside hanging out your trousers and strapped for cash.

Pig In A Poke On Yelp

Along Rose Street you will see a roasted pig in a window and the meat is teased in to pulled pork.
Fairly basic really, only one choice of food...pulled pork....but a few choices of what bread and accouterments you want. No nonsense grab and go lunch, just beware if you are a jet setter with a posh suit, the more you put on your pork sore fist, the more likely it is something will dribble down that precious silk tie ruining that all important first impression.....I had the toasted wrap...pretty good actually and would recommend if you want something immediately due to a raging hangover or lack of time!! Good selection of drinks in the cooler.

Le Cafe Royale On Yelp

On the Saturdays when I'm going out with "The Musketeers" to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, I take the train to the Toon and go my Tai Chi Chuan Class. Since this place is at the back of The Waverley Station and on the High Street/Royal Mile. I thought I'm starving I need breaky! Anyway Good Haggis and a good linked sausage roll eaten on the walk to training.

Thought I'd try it for lunch, got a nice kebab my colleague got some nice soup and a panini. All went pete tong when I went there alone and got the fish n chips!!! Glorified fish finger it was! Not impressed!! Fish from a box from a freezer. I also made a mistake of getting a smoothie, advertised on the table by some company I cannot remember the name of. I got a frozen smoothie from a bag in a freezer mixed with apple juice....NOT HAPPY!!

Stick to what does not obviously come from a freezer.

McDonald's

Don't usually go to McD's I have to say. But...if you want a breakfast and a surprisingly decent coffee the one on The Waverley Steps is actually really quite good. As I said not an every day occurence but...when you have a hunger on....breakfast wrap and a couple extra hash browns...now we are talking!!!

The Snack Van Buchlyvie

On the road from Stirling to Loch Lomond, there lurks Polis speed traps and if you survive them, a wee Snack Van in a lay by. This snack van has been proved to set you up for a hard days fishing catching heehaw on Loch Lomond. I noticed yesterday they do an all day breakfast too, I  am partial to a Stornoway black pudding and egg doubler roll, or a haggis and egg doubler roll with a cuppa cha....then its off to fight nature in a big wave with torrential rain or a flat calm with bright sunshine ready to go topless. Good place to get a bite even if you are out for a wee run in your motorized vehicle of choice. it's located here....Buchlyvie Burn Snack Van