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Festival Tiplists Recommendations from our Eating & Drinking Guide team
NEW AND NOTABLE If you haven’t been in town since last Festival then here’s our pick of the best of the newcomers over the past 12 months Earthy Canonmills The shop focused on local and seasonal goods now has a new branch near the Botanics featuring a
great café with evening dining. The Edinburgh Larder Bistro Fresh ideas and committed seasonal cooking comes to the West End. The Gardener’s Cottage Communal tables, menus inspired by the local markets and a quirky venue on the north side of Calton Hill.
CO-PROMOTION WITH REAL FOODS, EDINBURGH
Hemma At last, a civilised stop in the Holyrood district; a child- and food-friendly bar studded with Scandanavian touches. Kyloe Restaurant & Grill An upmarket steakhouse in the Rutland Hotel offering superbly handled Scottish beef with unusual cuts and well-crafted sides. Lovecrumbs Edinburgh’s underground baking scene has its shabby-chic showcase with this pared-back café near the Royal Lyceum Theatre. Mithas A i rst taste for Edinburgh of upmarket Indian dining, with tasting menus and intricate spicing in a glamorous setting in Leith. Ronde Bicycle Outi tters Now that cycling is more popular than religion, this cool wee Stockbridge café is located in a bike shop. Steak Hi-octane glamour with butch banqueting tables, low lighting and pumping beats alongside a zeitgeisty menu of chargrilled Scottish meat. Union of Genius A tiny lunchtime venue near the university serving six great soups each day – and not much else.
FOR A SENSE OF PLACE The venues that offer a reminder that Edinburgh is a beautiful, atmospheric and distinctive city
Divino Enoteca Tastings of i ne Italian wine and i ne food in a cellar bar down in the depths of the Old Town.
Forth Floor Brasserie/Restaurant The top l oor of Harvey Nicks on St Andrew Square has had a classy makeover, but the rooftop views remain. Loch Fyne Restaurant In the former i shmarket in Newhaven, this is perched on an old stone harbour right by the Forth. Oloroso High up in the New Town, with views to the Castle and the sea, it’s the glamorous spot for cocktails on the terrace and i ne dining. Porto & Fi on the Mound
Hanging onto the edge of the Old Town, the views from the Mound sweep across Princes Street and the New Town. Rhubarb Well used to putting up the stars, this is opulent country-house glamour, 20 minutes from the city centre. The Tower Rooftop views in the Old Town this time, with the treasures of the Museum of Scotland below. The Witchery by the Castle If you’ve never been, and you like the idea of Edinburgh being infested with ghosts and ghouls, then it’s still worth the visit. The Dining Room at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society
It’s hard to think of a better use of a whole New Town townhouse. The Scottish Café & Restaurant A great outlook onto Princes Street Gardens with the Scottish National Gallery at hand. ■ For full details, maps and independent List reviews on all venues go to list.co.uk/ food-and-drink
character to our environment. All the staff know me at Real Foods and we have a genuine friendly chat when I go shopping. That’s something you can’t buy. It creates community – a real village in the city.’ ■ Real Foods hold regular, fun and informative events, see the website for updates, realfoods.co.uk REAL FOODS Natural Healthy Ethical Shopping
Real Foods opened its doors over 40 years ago and was one of the original and best wholefood stores in the UK. Today it is Scotland’s biggest independent wholefood retailer and stocks thousands of locally-produced, seasonal, Fairtrade, organic, vegetarian and wheat-free, dairy-free, gluten-free products, specialist ingredients and organic wines as well as organic health, beauty and baby products in its bustling Edinburgh shops.
• Free recipes, health advice and online shop at realfoods.co.uk
• Free UK delivery on orders over £15. • Find us on Facebook and Twitter.
• Daily special offers at our central Edinburgh shops. • Student and senior citizen discounts.
NATURAL HEALTHY ETHICAL SHOPPING Irene Brown is well known in Edinburgh for her lively poetry readings but she is also one of Real Foods’ earliest customers.
Over 35 years ago Irene and some friends got together and ordered a variety of products in bulk from Real Foods, essentially starting their own small food co-operative. ‘Back in the 70s, we didn’t have much money
but I wanted to feed my small children well. So a few women clubbed together and bought
food in bulk from Real Foods – dried fruit and nuts, oats, flour, pasta, cereals, rice and the like. It worked out so much cheaper and you got such good quality for your money. I live by that principle today. I would rather have one excellent quality cup of ethical coffee than more of a horrible, cheap coffee.
I’m still a regular customer at Real Foods and they have some amazing offers with up to 50% off. Of course I use my 5% senior discount too. That’s not something you get everywhere! I think it’s really important to support our local, independent shops – they add vital
REAL FOODS | 37 Broughton Street | EH1 3JU & 8 Brougham Street | Tollcross | EH3 9JH | www.realfoods.co.uk 22 THE LIST 2–9 Aug 2012