For more on the Leith Festival visit www.list.co.uk
La Favorite 325-331 Leith Walk, 0131 554 2430 Pizza lovers brace yourself for what is arguably (in this Leither's opinion) the finest pizza in Edinburgh. Twin log-fired ovens produce only the lightest. crispiest of bases beneath a treasure trove of potential toppings. picked from a menu lovingly split into sections. including seafood, vegetarian, came and gluten free. Add to the mix some frisky young waiters and there's little room for complaint.
The King’s Wark Diner 7 36 The Shore, 0131 554 9260 7 Commercial Street, 0131 553 0624 Few things can make a foodie as A local favourite. decked out with happy as a portion of homemade leather booths and a distinct
fishcakes and frites courtesy of this neighbourhood feel. this cosy eatery granddaddy of the Leith eating scene. gives you a good bang for your buck. Oozing olde worlde charm, the Wark's as well as some great service. The menu boasts everything from rich house wine seldom disappoints. seafood chowder to solid basics like a providing the perfect accompaniment steak sandwich. Busy from lunch pretty to menu bursting with variety. With an much through to dinnertime, the Wark open view to the kitchen, this is relaxed manages that rare thing of balancing a dining at its best. The burgers come laidback setting with top-notch grub. highly recommended. . .
I ROYAL VACNT BRITANNIA One of Edinburgh’s best-known attractions, the Royal Yacht Britannia now works very successfully as a museum, harking back to an earlier age of travel and empire, and affording a nice snapshot of a bygone era. If you have even a passing interest in the royal family or naval history, Britannia will entertain. Those fancying some drinks or food afterwards can head to the nautically themed and very tasty Britannia Spice just along the road; also nearby, Porto and Pi or Tapa Barra y Restaurante provide ample charm and plentiful menus. Ocean Drive, 0131 555 8800, www.myalyachtbritannia. co.uk
I I'll! VAT!!! or LIITN WALKWAV Hardcore walkers can head the 12 miles out of town to Balerno where the walk officially starts with a well-equipped visitor centre. The path, opened in 1981. is in pretty good nick for the most part and highlights include Colinton Village, Dean Village and Stockbridge. A word of reassurance though, the path is generally well signposted. but don‘t get discouraged if the odd sign appears to be pointing in the wrong direction — it probably is.
w. waterof/eith. org. uk
The Pond
2-4 Bath Road, 0131 467 3825
Aw. the Pond. Nestled as it is in one of Edinburgh‘s less salubrious parts of Leith (the odd lady of the night has been known to wander past) not for nothing is this one of the area's more fashionable drinking holes. Fish tanks and ornamental animals decorate the bar space inside. while a 40-seat beer garden makes for a pub for all seasons. Some pretty fantastic bottled beers behind the bar completes the set-up.
Victoria
Victoria, 265 Leith Walk, Edinburgh, 0131 554 5706
This — alongside Joseph Pearce's at the top of the Walk, Boda a block down, and Sofi's on the Shore — is owned by the Boda Bar Group, and any Leither will happily tell you that each bar brings its own special brand of charm to the party. Each boasts similar hallmarks from the greens and reds of their cosy seating to the intimate candles and boho chic decor.
The Tailend
The Tailend Fish Restaurant & Fish Bar, 14 Albert Street, 0131 555 3577. At this celebration of the fish supper, foodies are invited to sit down or take away from a menu that boasts everything from swordfish to haddock and calamari to prawns. Co-owned by the one-time proprietor of the Anstruther Fish Bar, this tasty venture is decked out with soft green panelling, photography and wooden chairs. only adding to its old-school tearoom feel.
Much like its bars, Leith's shops tend to have a charm all of their own. Offbeat eco-friendly Shore shop Flux and Easter Road's Eero and Riley are top spots for unusual gifts and homeware, while Georgian Antiques affords ample opportunity to browse one of Scotland's largest antique emporiums. Leith Walk‘s World of Pine and Crawford’s Furniture Salesroom offer inspiration for those on the lookout for interesting second-hand pieces. Books and music fans should check out Leith Walk's Elvis Shakespeare.
I LIITN LINKS A popular hangout with joggers,
footballers and those looking for a gentle jaunt, Leith Links has developed into a picturesque stomping ground to hang out with a picnic and read a book - weather permitting. The more energetic should note that 30 minutes walk in one direction finds you at Cramond, 15 minutes in the other takes you to Portobello. The Links themselves are great for a general mosey during the Leith FesfivaL
18 THE LIST 14—28 Feb 2008
specialising in rare books and rarer punk and dance labels. and also Vinyl Villains further uptown. on Elm Row. Delis and Chinese supermarkets abound both on the Walk and down on the Shore. affording food lovers ample opportunity to pick up something a little unusual. For girls (and boys) looking for a spot of polish and pamper try Neil Barton. Hairsuit and Sesh. all of which come highly recommended. whether you're looking for a quick trim or something
altogether more adventurous.
Those looking for something more high street need look no further than Leith Docks for the Sir Terence Conran-designed Ocean Terminal. a substantial three-story shopping mall. boasting a host of favourites (Gap. Topshop. Debenhams. Dorothy Perkins), as well as a cinema and a variety of restaurants and bars. Look out for the
odd club night there too.