For more on Morninqside visit www.list.co.uk
I CHURCH HILL THEATRE
The Church Hill Theatre might be less centrally located than Edinburgh’s other major theatres, but it’s a far from 3 forgotten part of the city’s performing arts scene. A major renovation has ; recently improved facilities, and as well as being a popular Fringe venue, it’s an important performance space for local theatre groups for the rest of the year. 33A Momingside Rd, 0131 447 7597. www.edinburgh.gov .uk/CEC/Recreation/Leisure/ Church_HilI_Theatre/Church_ Hill_Theatre.html
I IIERlll'l'AOE OF BRAIO NATURE RESERVE
This local beauty spot is often overlooked in favour of Edinburgh’s other natural attractions, like the Botanic Gardens. but it has plenty to offer visitors. Picturesque Blackford Pond, Wildflower Meadow and Agassiz Rock are captivating, while walks and watching sessions are sure to appeal to nature lovers. Explore the surroundings to discover the Ice House and the Doocot in the Walled Garden. wwwfohborg
HOE .ORG
PHOYOI
l ROYAL OBSERVATORY Edinburgh’s Royal Observatory is home to one of the largest telescopes in Europe, and
, offers a range of activities for
' the general public. A ticketed event every Friday evening offers insight into the mysteries of our Solar System, while a recent successful series celebrating Scotland’s Dark Skies looks set to return
I in the autumn. Royal
Observatory, Blackford Hill,
0131 668 8404, www.me.ac.uk
14 THE LIST 14—28 Feb 2008
The Canny Man’s
237 Momingside Road, 0131 447 1484
One of Edinburgh's most diVIsive drinking establishments. patrons of Momingside landmark The Canny Man are greeted at the entrance by a brass plaque banning mobile phones. cameras and backpackers. But whether you love the staff‘s eccentricities or your first visit puts you off for life. there's no denying that this traditional pub is a one-off.
The Merlin
168-172 Momingside Road, 0131 447 4329
This bustling. friendly bar on Momingside Road offers the ideal enVironment for a casual drink or three. Open since 2001 , its cosy environs include a stag‘s head and a roaring fire in winter, with a satisfying food menu that's ideal for lining stomachs before the long day or night ahead. Sundays are special too. with roast dinners and a weekly quiz.
Unsurprisingly for an area with a high proportion of wealthy residents. Morningside's many charity shops offer booty in all shapes and sizesDusty books, chintzy 19603 tea sets. cast-off fur coats and more gems reside among the cluttered shelves of Morningside's branches of Cancer Research. The Bethany Shop. Oxfam. St Columba’s Hospice and Barnardo’s. each of which offer hidden treasures to the discerning shOpper.
For independents look no further than Context Interior’s quirky lay-out may be reminiscent of a particularly bountiful junk shop from the outside, but on entering you'll find a variety of charming treasures, from faux antique globes and coffee tables cum chess boards to handmade toiletries. Next door, you'll find Just Art. a small and sunny art gallery that dates back to 1985. Staffed entirely by professional artists. its small studio welcomes customers who may want to purchase the paintings on display and those looking for unique commissions. as well as other artists
looking for quality materials.
Local grocery stores — including cheesemonger IJ Mellis. traditional grocer W&S Dickson and local bakery Chatterbox — add to the mix, while chocolatier and florist The Harvest Garden is known across the city. Independent wine seller Henderson’s has also been carving a name for itself since 2001.
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Loopy Lorna’s
370-372 Momingside Road, 0131 441 9217
It's about time someone combatted the aggresswe spread of coffee shops With an equivalent destination for tea drinking, and Loopy Lorna's does it with flair. Named affectionately after the proprietors mother, its emphasis on classy tea blends. cakes that look too good to eat and unashamedly girly decor have made it an instant Momingside hit.
Café Blush
219 Momingside Road, 0131 447 1012
Cafe Blush may only be open from 9am to 5pm, but it certainly offers its customers the very best during those all-too-short eight hours. If breakfast is your favourite meal of the day, look no further: it's served all day here. Scrumptious salads. sandwiches and baked potatoes will get adult taste buds tingling, while under-fives are treated to their own menu.
Zulu Lounge 366 Momingside Road, 0131 466 8337
Its zebra-striped exterior may give Morningside's Zulu Lounge a relaxed, grungey vibe but there‘s nothing laid- back about the food served up in this South African cafe. Fairtrade teas and coffees are complemented by tempting soups (the special Elephant Soup is a favourite). bulging rolls and regional specialities like Biltong and Boerewors. come in at wallet-pleasing prices.
The Clay Oven
86 Momingside Road, 0131 447 9724 A highlight of Indian cuisine on Edinburgh's Southside. The Clay Oven's enormous menu and even bigger portions make it the ideal place to satisfy your curry cravings in MorninQSide. lts familiarity with local residents means a constantly lively atmOSphere. while the eponymous clay oven provides dishes with a unique flavour that can't be recreated at home (unless, of course. you have a clay oven).