Posh for less
The priciest menu in most restaurants is for evening a la carte dinner. So if there’s a restaurant you’d love to eat at but you think is beyond your means, look out for a cheaper lunch or pre/post-theatre menu. The wider range of mains is always going to look tempting, but be disciplined if you want to emerge with your budget intact. Remember that you’re there for the sense of occasion and the chance to sample the work of Scotland’s top chefs.
Atrium
10 Cambridge Street. Edinburgh. 0131 228 8882
The .-\tritim has won our award as best restaurant in lidinburgh for the last two years. partly because the atmosphere here lacks the .s’tlllTlncss ol’ some other top-flight restaurants. The evening a la carte menu isn‘t cheap. btit it‘ you go at ltinehtimes there‘s a set menu ot‘ two courses for £13.50- dishes on offer include fillet of grilled sea trout in a lemon butter sauce and pineapple tart tatin.
The Grain Store
30 Victoria Street. Edinburgh. 0131 225 7635
The Grain Store has long been
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something ol‘ a beacon ol‘ simple yet elegant dining. head chef and owner (‘ai‘lo (‘oxon coming tip with great combinations ol' excellent ingredients. l5or diners on a budget there is a great two- eourse set dinner menu l‘or t; l 7.50 and an even better value lunch menu for a tenner. with interesting dishes sttch as lamb‘s kidneys with prunes and lardons or an asparagus. spinach and Dunsyre Blue cheese tartlet.
The Buttery
652 Argyle Street. Glasgow.
0141 221 8188
listablished in 186*). the Buttery is as about as venerable as it gets. lixpensive. yes. btit not outrageously so it‘ you take advantage ol‘ the rm set-price lunch. With its wood panelling. stained glass and deep armchairs. it ol‘l‘ers the tee] ol’ a gentlemen's club. while a slightly eccentric and cluttered dining room belies the modern t'ood. Rabbit may be teamed with partridge and served with a roasted coriander seed sauce. while the roast lillet ol’ halibut might come with a fragrant ‘trut‘lled’ pea puree.
Oloroso
33 Castle Street. Edinburgh.
0131 228 7814
Scan the a la carte menu or the wine list at this most glamotirotis ot’ lidinbtirgh‘s dining destinations and 'cheap’ doesn‘t spring to mind. although a three-course
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Sunday ltmch is a reasonable {NBS However. turn to the bar snacks menu and you'll discover decently si/ed bites and light meals such as homemade lishcakes or sweetcorn and sesame toast with a tamarind dip. None is priced over L'It). and while you‘ll cat by the bar. you still get a thick slice (it the sexy ()loroso scene and a decent side helping ol~ root'top views.
étain
The Glass House. Springfield Court. Princes Square. Glasgow. (ll/.1 22:) 5630
Sir Terence (‘onran’s lirst 'destination restaurant‘ outside of London is a welcome haven l‘rom the nearby bustle ol~ shoppers in adjacent Princes Square mall. ll'
Oloroso
/.inc. the adiacent sister venue. is Se\ and the (‘in lor the younger set. then etain il'rench t’oi pewtert represents something more long term and meaningttil. Quality Scottish ingredients are treated in an elegant but unltissy manner. whether in a slow roasted l‘clly ol pork or one ol the succulent lish
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Gamba '.‘. iv '1-' .‘lT'i-HT on: ~ :. \Vinner ot~ our [urine A" [Hm/tine (iiii't/os award tor best (ilasgow restaurant two years in a row. (iamba succeeds on every le\el. It isn't ev en especially pricey at lunch it' I 595 tor two coursesi or during the briel pic-theatre window (at L' l 5 l‘or two courses. 5 (i. I Spirit. The selection is more limited then btit the dishes still otter outstanding ingredients: chel' land co-ow iterl l)crck .\larshall has made (iamba laiiiotis l'oi‘ lantastically l'resh and innovatoer served lish.
La Parmiqiana
1-1/ (iltftll Vultffilt‘lll lt’ tail, ( il.‘i:a;i>v'.'. (ll-ll 33.1 thititi
This 25—year-old landmark in (ilasgow 's \Vest lind is refined. btit not reverential. Starters can include ravioli swimming on delicate cream and basil sauce. Main courses. such as escalopes ol tender veal served on subtle tomato sauce. are w ell-balanced. With this quality ol' loud and surroundings. three courses l'or £ll).5l) at lunch or £13.50 pre— theatre is uncommonly good value.
The Witchery by the Castle ()z153tleliill.l (lllllAlllllldilffil 22.") {>013
lloine ot‘ the capital‘s most theatrical eating spaces. the ancient. low—beamed original dining room and romantic Secret (iarden beyond. the Witchery is the kind ol' place you have to experience at least once. That opportunity is within reach thanks to their long-standing lunch and pre/post theatre menti ol‘l'ering two courses Tor {I 1.95.
CELEBRITY CHEAP CHOICE
Gordon Maclntyrie wsacwi Villager,
' George IV s . Bfidge.
*3 Edinburgh
7 I've just come from there this - ' afternoon. and
the food was great and the service was brilliant — very friendly, but not at all oppressive.