Side Orders
Hogshead Ale house
Shamed by style bars, edged out by cafe bars and punched inthe stomach by brasseries, it was looking as though the traditional boozer was facing a stark choice: shape up or it’s last orders.
And hallelujah! Here comes the cavalry in the form of Hogshead pubs. The latest in the Whitbread-owned chain to open in Scotland, and the first in Edinburgh, their branch on Bread Street combines the best aspects of the traditional pub with all the convenience and service that you’d expect from the brave new world of the service industry.
The decor looks like an adman’s idea of what a country kitchen looks like — wooden floors, heaps of rural pictures, some bare brick and assorted odds and sods scattered around. But don’t let that put you off, the real delight lies in the range of food and drink which they have to offer. Each day they have
over ten real ales plus their own brews on sale along with a range of Belgian fruit beers and fruit wines. The beers change regularly although those with a sweet tooth might want to pop along sharpish and try out their Jawbreaker brew which tastes just like toffee in a glass. Clients who still have a thirst on them come closing time can take home a tipple in a two pint, four pint or mammoth eight pint container. Unusually for a bar, Hogshead also has a reasonable wine list with almost all of the wines coming in at the £7—£8 mark.
Possibly the most startling facet of Hogshead is their food which is available until late in the evening. It's mostly standard pub grub (giant sandwiches, fish and chips, sausage and mash, steak and ale pie) but somehow they manage to keep the
prices ridiculously low while maintaining a quality far above the slop that many a pub dares to call food. Cumberland sausages and mash are £2.65 while cod and chips cost £3.10. (Jonathan Trew)
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The Basement 10a-1Za Broughton Street. 557 0097.
Restaurant quality food at pub-grub prices, served 'til 10pm in lively, colourful surroundings.
Cellar No 1 1a Chambers Street. 220 4298.
For superb atmosphere, wines and food, late nights and live music, the Cellar is No 1!
Common Grounds 2/3 North Bank
{gt/5, Street. 226 1416.
[3.329 American-style coffee house 'I‘on The Mound. Food served all day. Live music most
evenings.
Creelers 3 Hunter Square. 220 4447 'Scottish seafood at its best'Bistro bar and a la carte restaurant. Game and vegetarian options
Dial restaurant/cafe 44/46 George IV Bridge. 225 7179.
’Wears its style With a capital With food to
d IA match.’ — Conrad Wilson, Modern Scottish CUisine.
Ercolano Bistro 10-1 1 Drummond Street. 662 7722.
A charming Italian bistro wrthin close proximity of the Festival Theatre.
Filmhouse 88 Lothian Road. 229 5932. ,, Relaxed, FILMHOUSE atmospheric cafe bar, serving great value snacks, salads, speCials and brilliant cappuccmos - 10am till late.
Helios Fountain 7 Grassmarket.
229 7884.
A rather excellent vegetarian coffee house, where friendly staff serve tasty food.
Helios Fountain at Theatre
Workshop
34 Hamilton Place. iéé 225 8802. ’ ,
A rather excellent w
vegetarian coffee house, where friendly staff serve tasty food — also a bar.
Howies 208 Bruntsfield Place.
221 1777; 63 Dalry Road. 313 3334; 75 St. Leonard’s Street. 668 2917. Three popular Edinburgh restaurants serving excellent value Scottish/French cuisine in an informal atmosphere.
Isabels Cafe 83 Clerk Street (below Nature's Gate). 662 4014.
Stone walled, smoke-free basement oasis serving homemade veggie/vegan food — fresh, delicrous and cheap!
Khublai Khans Mongolian BBQ
43 Assembly Street. 555 0005.
Lunch (Fri & Sun) £5.95, dinner (seven days) £13.95. All you can eat DlY BBQ. Unique and fun.
Kaffe Politik 146/148 Marchmont
Road. 446 9873. “if
Espresso bar. JUice bar. Food speCials all day. ’Worth the trip.’ 10am— 10pm, 7 days.
Ndebele 57 Home Street. 221 1141. A cafe and sandWich deli With an impressive range of culinary delights from Southern Africa.
Pancho Villas 240 Canongate.
557 4416.
Mexican-born owner Mayra Nunez says ’If you're going to eat Mexican, then don't be bland — unbeatable value for lunch.’
La Piazza 97-99 ShandWick Place. 221 1 150.
Visit the most Stylish Italian restaurant in town — open Monday to Sunday.
Smoke Stack 53-55 Broughton Street. 556 6032.
Much more than burgers and steaks at this stylish but friendly new chargrill restaurant.
36 36 Great King Street. 556 3636. ,3 / Demonstrates an eclectic
Vision of atmosphere in I.) O deSign, graphics and
lighting, and importantly, its food and service.
Back Alley Restaurant 8 Ruthven Lane. 334 7165.
World Wide cwsine, weekend breakfasts, Happy Hour, lunch menu, evening specials and Glasgow's best burgers!
Balbir's 51 West Regent Street.
331 1980.
Not big, not deSigner, not sexy, just brilliant. High quality lndian cUisine at affordable prices.
Grassroots 20 Woodlands Road.
353 3278.
Scare-free food, organic groceries, excellent bread, fine cheeses, herbs and spices, wholesome foods — yum, yum.
Kama Sutra 331 Sauchiehall Street 332 0055.
Buffet on down
for a goickie at “MK lunchtime, .- £5.95. Monday
evening buffet £9.95 (until 10.30pm).
Mama Miska 1321 Argyle Street.
334 0594. Lashings of paprika, pasta Mama and pizza. ’An Alpine grotto of delight, highly
recommended.’ - The List.
Mojo 158a Bath Street. 331 2257, Much acclaimed stylish bar/restaurant —
a unique blend of
modern brasserie M COOkIng in an intimate 0 setting.
Mungo Jerri‘s, American Sandwich Cafe’ 25 Parnie Street. 552 7999 (phone/fax).
ChOice of 33 varieties of American
food in American style With iazz and R&B.
Murphy's Pakora Bar 1287 Argyle Street. . 334 1550. , 5 Over 30 ways to get " ''' stuffed at the great Murphy's buffet. Daily 3-7pm only £3.95.
Ocho 150 West Campbell Street. 332 1032.
A vibrant new bar,
providing relaxed meals,
noon-7pm, funky music, m great vibes and daily
drinks promotions.
at Hit“ ( \.
Ristorante La Fiorentina 2 Paisley Road West. 420 1585.
Savour the flavour of Tuscan cooking With our extensive menu — including many vegetarian dishes.
Stravaigin 28 Gibson Street.
334 2665.
Fresh Scottish ingredients, authentic and original reCIpes, award-winning cooking, lively and informal atmosphere.
The 13th Note 80 Glassford Street. [THE I
553 1638. Bar/cafe/venue with a totally vegan menu of wholesome food within a relaxed atmosphere.
13i'iii
NQTE':
Tron Theatre 63 Trongate. 552 8587. ’A whole lot more than great theatre’. Voted Glasgow's best bar — The List Readers Poll.
The Ubiquitous Chip 12 Ashton
Lane. 3345007. 1,; ggiw 1‘; Om, U 1....[9 .P
Glasgow's finest restaurants serving modern Scottish fayre.
Vino Vino 51a West Regent Street.
332 7 8. [Goofli‘oom VINO°VINO
l‘lZZERlA a. mu an prices right
side of modest.’ — Diner Tec. Live music Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat.
For details of how to include your restaurant/bistrolcafélbar in this directory, call our advertising
department on 0131 558 1191.
30 May—12 Jun 1997 THE LIST107