African marinade With aioli pOInt to more exotic tastes. In the quest to keep everything as flexible as pOSSIble, dishes are available in tapas- Size and full-meal portions.
As to the facelift which the Traverse has undergone, it’s more of a nip and tuck than reconstructive surgery. Guy Morgan and Tony McDonnell, both Edinburgh College of Art graduates, are the architects who were charged with putting a shine on the space. ’We wanted to emphaSise the elements that were already here,’ says Morgan. ’We isolated specific areas and tweaked them. To have imposed a‘new regime would have been a mistake.’
Traverse regulars will immediately recognise the bar area, as the changes which have been made are subtle. The grilles which formed the ceiling have been removed to expose the vents, ducts and piping which make up the underbelly of the building; a fold-down bench runs discreetly along the far end of the
As to the facelift which the Traverse has undergone, it's more of a nip and tuck than reconstructive surgery.
bar and a table shelf has been added to one of the walls. Areas of carpeting have been removed, as have the slanting tables which were such a distinctive feature of the old interior.
Particularly striking are the new stools which have been bought. Made from solid aluminium with a hole in the middle of the seat, they look like a triumph of style over comfort. In fact, they are extremely comfortable and so well designed that no matter how tired and emotional their occupiers become they are unlikely to fall off. This may seem like a minor point but given how enthUSiastically the acting classes can celebrate an opening night it’s best to prepare for any eventuality.
Budding OliViers Will also be keen on the huge new mirrors which grace the stairs to the bar. Not only do they allow people in the foyer to catch a glimpse of the frolics below, they are also handy for checking that the hair is just so before greeting one’s public.
JAN MC iAGGARi
& drinking
director
Bann's 5 Hunter Square. 226 1112
Voted best cheap and cheerful meal in Edinburgh by List readers. Egon Ronay recommended. 10am-11pm every day.
eating
The Basement 10a-12a Broughton Street. 557 0097.
Restaurant quality food at pub-grub prices, served 'til 10pm in lively, colourful surroundings.
The Bookstop Cafe 4 TeViot Place. 225 5298
New bookshop/cafe. Promises book-browsing, plus, extensive coffee menu, smoothies and deli snacks.
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 Street. 226 1416.
American-style coffee house on The Mound. '3‘ 432" Food served all day. Live ‘ music most evenings.
Cyberia Internet Cafe, 88 Hanover Street. 220 4403
’One of the best cafes in Edinburgh . . .’ Scotsman. With the fastest internet
. access in town
Dial restaurant/cafe 44/46 George IV Bridge. 225 7179.
‘Wears its Style With a capital With food to match.’ — Conrad Wilson, Modern Scottish Cuisine.
diA
Filmhouse 88 Lothian Road. 229 5932.
Relaxed, atmospheric cafe bar, sewing great value it
snacks, salads, speCials and brilliant cappuccinos - 10am till late.
Helios Fountain 7 Grassmarket
(with shop) 229 7884 fiég
Sun 10am-4pm Excellent vegetarian coffee house serVing really tasty food.
Isabels Café 83 Clerk Street (below Nature’s Gate). 662 4014.
Stone walled, smoke-free basement oasis serving homemade veggie/vegan food — fresh, delioous and cheap!
w
q
Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, 1U
Kaffe Politik 146/148 Marchmont Road. 446 9873.Espresso bar. JUice bar. Food specials all day. ’Worth the trip.’ 10am— 10pm, 7 days.“
Khublai Khans Mongolian BBQ 43 Assembly Street.
555 0005.
Lunch (Fri & Sun) £5.95, dinner (seven days) £13.95. All you can eat DIY BBQ. Unique and fun.
Ndebele 57 Home Street. 221 1141. A cafe and sandWich deli With an impresswe range of Culinary delights from Southern Africa.
FOOD &. DRINK
Negociants cafe, bar, restaurant. 45-47 Lothian Street. 225 6313. Eclectic Mediterranean menu, superb range of drinks, coffees, cocktails, Wines and beers. Open 9-Bam.
Pancho Villas 240 Canongate.
557 4416.
Mexican-born owner Mayra Nunez says ’If you're gOing to eat Mexican, then don't be bland.’ Lunch until 5pm, dinner until 11pm.
Passepartout 24 Deanhaugh Street, Stockbridge. 332 447mm Licensed bistro and
coffee house. New, exciting, eclectic! Cosmopolitan cuisine With daily set price
lunch/dinner menus from £5.50/E1250 (booking advisable).
La Piazza 97-99 Shandwick Place.
221 1 150.
Stylish Italian restaurant Without deSigner prices. Open 7 days Ham-midnight.
Pyramids 16 Haymarket Terrace. 337 9979.
For a completely different taste this Christmas. Egyptian and Sudanese CUisine. Bring your own wine.
The Sanctuary 38 Blair Street. 225 6885. New bar/cafe — excellent food in unusual surroundings with cool sounds. 6pm—late Tue—Sat.
Smoke Stack 53-55 Broughton Street.
556 6032.
Much more than burgers and steaks at this stylish but friendly new chargrill restaurant.
Tabula Rasa 90 Haymarket Terrace 474 3446.
It’s Latin rhyming slang for a clean plate. Yours will be! Try it!
Back Alley Restaurant 8 Ruthven Lane. 334 7165.
World wide Cuisine, 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 Indian cuisine at affordable prices.
Brel bar: restaurant 39 Ashton Lane 342 4966.
Belgian beers (draft Leffe and Hoegaarden); fine wines; rustic food; cool music; relaxed atmosphere.
Café Del Mar 94 Queen Margaret Drive. 400 5560
A relaxed and friendly atmosphere. New Mediterranean bistro and coffee house in the West End. Students always welcome. BYOB. Take-away available all day.
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 W WM quickie at lunchtime,
£5.95. Monday evening buffet £9.95 (until 10.30pm).
Le Petit Pain 239 Byres Road
337 1118 (phone/fax). Coffees, quality sandwiches and pastries to go or to stay. £115” Outside catering
Mama Miska 1321 Argyle Street. 334 0594. Mama
Lashings of paprika, Mtgka
pasta and pizza. ’An highly recommended.’ — The List.
Alpine grotto of delight,
Miro’s 36 Kelvingrove Street.
353 0475.
The new look Miro offers a fresh view to European dishes. Open from noon till late, 7 days a week.
Mojo 158a Bath Street. 331 2257.
MOJO
stylish bar — a unique
blend of modern
brasserie cooking in an intimate setting. Mungo Jerri's, American Sandwich Café 25 Parnie Street. 552 7999 (phone/fax).
Choice of 33 varieties of American food in American style with jazz and R&B. Murphy's Pakora Bar 1287 Argyle
Street. 334 1550. M?:Hl“‘\
Over 30 ways to get \ stuffed at the great * Murphy's buffet. Daily 3- 1,. 7pm only £3.95. Ocho 150 West Campbell Street.
332 1032.
A vibrant new bar, providing relaxed meals, noon-7pm, funky music, great vibes and daily drinks promotions.
Rab Ha's Restaurant 83 Hutcheson Street. 553 1545.
Traditional Scottish cuisine offered in intimate surroundings, with a choice of pre-theatre and a la carte menus from 5.30pm, 7 days a week.
Ristorante La Fiorentina 2 Paisley Road West. 420 1585.
Savour the flavour of Tuscan cooking with our extensive menu — including many vegetarian dishes.
Restaurant Splash. at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, 62 3NY.
Tel 332 3163.
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. 553 1638
Bar/cafe/venue with a totally vegan menu of wholesome food within a relaxed atmosphere.
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 lershton Lane. vi .1, - 334 5007. U “i 5.. 9;? One of Glasgow‘s finest restaurants serving modern Scottish fayre.
For details of how to include your restaurant/bistromfelbar in this directory, call our advertising department on 0131 558 1191
23 Jan - 5 feb 1998 THE U3T103