FOODADVERTISING FEATURE
l
: WESTENDERS
I Deciding which show to go and see is to concentrate I on only half the Festival experience. It is well worth ; putting the same thought into choosing where to eat. 1 Clare Lawler gives the local angle on a selection of the many and varied restaurants worth seeking out in Edinburgh. This week’s choice focuses on the West End of the city centre, further selections for the
Southside and the North will follow over the next two 2 issues. Remember to book ahead when you can as all
the joints can be jumpin’ at this time of year.
i
j I Albertina’s Cate FEAST (Venue 73) Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place. 229 7062. Mon—Thurs and Sun l()am—lam; Fri, Sat lOam—4/5am: l0% discount for FEAST ticket holders on food over £5. Albertina's Cafe. upstairs at the Art College. provides international culinary inspiration for the programme of events staged by
FEAST. Fully licensed. open all day every day till late this innovative project is sure to become a talking point on the Fringe circuit. On offer is a winning combination of breakfast, lunch. snacks. dinner and breakfast
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again. Indonesian, African. Chinese. Mexican, French dishes are represented on the menu, catering for international performers and the widening tastes of food-conscious restaurant-goers. in what is expected to be a lively, buzzing atmosphere. Friday and Saturday from midnight promises cabaret in a comedy club atmosphere. Acts booked already include Jo Brand and Mark Thomas (£5/£3 entrance).
I The Coconut Grove 3 Lochrin Terrace, 229 I569. Mon—Sat 6—10.30. Modelled on a Mexican cantina this is a popular restaurant and ideally situated
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DOUGLAS ROBERTSON
Phlpp's
Filmhouse Gallery Bistro
open 6 p.m. till late
'phone 229—5932 to book a table. At the heart of the Film Festival and within easy
walking distance of many West End venues, has
a small imaginative menu of fish, vegetarian and
game dishes made to order. POp in for a table and try our wine list, its great value!
If its just a drink you want try the Cafe Bar for
ales, wines, soft drinks, expresso or light meals.
for venues such as the King’s Theatre and the Cameo. The menu offers an appealing combination of good value, spicy Mexican starters and main courses as well as a selection of steak and seafood dishes — hearty altematives for the Del Oeste (Westerners). The Coconut Grove‘s chefs’ familiarity with a range of spices and flavourings is in evidence across the menu. The management also clearly have faith in the size of its portions: customers who can finish their tostadas are rewarded with a free glass of tequila.
I Filmhouse Cate Bar and Gallery Bistro 88 Lothian Road, 228 2688. Mon-Sun 9am—late. This is one of the best place to wind down with a coffee or a beer and excellent homemade snacks and meals while spotting the stars in town for the Film Festival. In the morning you can catch an espresso and a bacon roll. The cafe bar menu from noon till 9pm offers fresh pasta. salads and tasty Indian dishes, cakes and biscuits. The more formal but still friendly gallery bistro serves fresh Scottish ingredients. creatively combined. An evening meal includes warm salad of mushrooms and sautéed pigeon breast followed by breast of duck accompanied by a prune sauce and marinated sultanas.
I Howles 63 Dalry Road, 3 l3 3334; 75 St Leonards Street. 668 29l7 (see 26 August food preview). Two well- established and popular bistro restaurants. The European influences. from the simple. unpretentious single room dining area packed with tables.
I! 1: PEPI‘TOS
RESTA URANTE MEXICANO
24A Stafford Street Edinburgh EH3 3RD Tel. 031-225 9575
it rd
DOUGLAS ROBERTSON
traverse Cate and Bar
run through to the appetising menu and French-inspired dishes. Fresh Scottish seafood chowder and chicken liver pate with oatcakes. and French onion soup and garlic and red wine beef casserole form part of a French/Scottish menu at its varied best. Howies‘ famous banoffi pie and a small but delicious selection of sweets round off the fixed price lunch and dinner meals. BYOB; wine available from Dalry Road restaurant. I Miro I84 Rose Street. 225 4376. Mon—Sun noon—midnight. Miro's pavement tables in this pedestrianised street are an attractive place to escape the hustle and crowds of the Festival. The front windows open out to enhance the intimate interior and the cantina atmosphere is further helped by the wide selection of beers and open tonas and a la carte menu available at all hours. The menu remains true to the Mexican roots ofthe cuisine: from the chicken cooked in spicy chocolate sauce to the homemade sweet boncellos with bananas, pineapple and cream. I Pepitos 24A Stafford Street, 225 9575. Open noon—2.30pm. 6.3()—lO.30pm. Relaxed and intimate basement restaurant. The bright outdoor flowering baskets and simple interior reflects the cheerful and relaxed Mexican cuisine: authentic huevos rancheros. enchiladas ‘Pepitos‘, tacos al carbon and crema caramelizada are carefully prepared using quality ingredients. Don't be despondent that the dishes sound familiar. Pepitos specialises in marinated flavoursome meat and fish dishes that rely on subtle not fiery spices. Designated smoking and non-smoking areas.
Cgm‘ino Mexicano
\’%‘J— ‘9
184 K956 Street ’L‘Jinburg/t 031-225 43 76
76 The List 1349 August 1993