The Michelin Guide
The twenty-fifth edition of the Michelin Guide to hotels and restaurants has just been published and it seems as though the status quo as has been maintained in the central belt. In Edinburgh, the Atrium and (Fitz)Henry’s have retained their Bib Gourmand ratings, meaning that they offer good food at moderate prices, while in Glasgow One Devonshire Gardens is still riding high with one Michelin star, an award which denotes a very good restaurant in its category.
To put a little perspective on what these awards mean, the highest accolade which the guide awards is three stars. There are only four restaurants in Britain and Ireland which the Michelin inspect0rs deem worthy of this and they use the sort of esoteric, luxury ingredients which you won't find in your local supermarket. As a result of this, unless you are the director of a privatised utility or have recently won the lottery, then these establishments tend to be beyond the financial reach of mere mortals. However, restaurants with a Bib Gourmand or one star rating will provide a memorable meal without provoking penury.
Interestingly, the gUide have instituted a new category for good food in traditional pubs. According to the editor of the guide ’the combination of well-prepared food, value for money and relaxed surroundings have proved a recipe for success. The new category also emphasises that the Michelin Guide does not just cater for expensive tastes — there is a range to suit all occasions and budgets.’
Curious then that there are only four pubs in Scotland which have garnered one of the beer glass and fork symbols while 139 other pubs in Britain and Ireland have been selected. The four featured pubs are all outwith the central belt and would seem to indicate that places like Mojo and The Drum and Monkey in Glasgow and The Doric in Edinburgh, to name a few from the top of my head, have been overlooked. Pity.
Incidentally, the Michelin man, or Bibendum as he is affectionately named, celebrates his centenary this year. Long may his spare tyres expand.
(Jonathan Trew)
Fat boy slim rides again
& drinking
director
Bann’s 5 Hunter Square. 226 1112.
Voted best cheap and cheerful meal in Edinburgh by List readers. Egon Ronay recommended. 10am-1 1pm every day.
eating
The Basement 10a-12a Broughton Street. 557 0097.
Restaurant quality food at pub-grub prices, served 'tiI 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 I!
Common Grounds 2/3 North Bank Street. 226 1416.
American-style coffee house on The Mound. "3‘95". 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
d match.’ — Conrad Wilson, Modern Scottish Cuisine.
edinburgh espresso bar
10 Grassmarket, Edinburgh. 220 2242. You’ll stay for more than an instant!! Open 8-5pm - 7 days a week Filmhouse 88 Lothian Road. 229 5932. it
Relaxed, atmospheric cafe bar, serving great value snacks, salads, specials and brilliant cappuccinos - 10am till late.
Helios Fountain 7 Grassmarket (with shop). 229 7884. Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun
10am-4pm Excellent , g??? vegetarian coffee house ygguniw
serving really tasty food.
lsabels Café 83 Clerk Street (below Nature’s Gate). 662 4014.
Stone walled, smoke-free basement oasis serving homemade veggie/vegan food - fresh, delicious and cheap!
Kaffe Politik 146/148
m Marchmont Road. 446 9873.Espresso bar. Juice bar. Food specials all day. ’Worth 4
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 impressive 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 9-3am.
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 4476.
Licensed bistro and in.“ lanai: r my
coffee house. New,
exciting, eclectic!
Cosmopolitan cuisine with daily set price lunch/dinner menus from £5.50/f1250 (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 '3 iIii-i’mii-i lul'i' 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 g and pastries to go
or to stay. Outside catering 4W6?
Mama Miska 1321 Argyle Street. 334 0594. Lashings of paprika, pasta Mama
and pizza. 'An Alpin . e Yugka
grotto of delight, highly recommended.’ - The List.
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. Much acclaimed
blend of modern M 0 brasserie cooking in
an intimate setting.
Café 25 Parnie Street. 552 7999. (phone/fax).
Choice of 33 varieties of American food
stylish bar — a unique Mungo Jerri's. American Sandwich in American style with jazz and R&B.
Murphy's Pakora Bar 1287 Argyle Street. 334 1550. \ K V. Over 30 ways to get "‘Lu’f‘ ‘ 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, 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, G2 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 12 Ashton
Lane. , . 334 5007. Ubiqviifll/ CH? One of ' ‘ ' ' ' "—
Glasgow's finest restaurants serving modern Scottish fayre.
For details of how to include your restauranflbistfo/Café/bar in this directory, call 'our advertising department on 0131 558 1191
20 Feb - 5 Mar 1998 THE “ST