Edinburgh SEADOGS
43 Rose Street, City Centre, 0131 225 8028, www.seadogsonline.co.uk, £10 (lunch) / £14 (dinner) David Ramsden continues to refine and expand his innovative and now much-imitated style around Edinburgh with Seadogs opening in a workaday venue on scruffy Rose Street. The trademark mismatched old furniture and sporadic doggy motifs are here, along with many of the original Dogs ideas – dishes for sharing, revitalised old faves and hearty seasonal grub at low, low prices. For classic fish’n’chips choose from coley, trout, plaice or whitebait, coated in either beer batter or oats, while paella, fish pie and a whole baked bream can be served for one, two, or even four people.
THE CELLAR DOOR 44–46 George IV Bridge, Old Town, www.thecellardooredinburgh.com, 0131 226 4155, £9.50 (set lunch) / £18 (dinner) Formerly part of the Olive Branch mini-chain, this plucky
For more food and drink visit www.list.co.uk/food-and-drink
newcomer is clearly aiming to change the fortunes of its central yet ill-starred site. A narrow street-level patisserie and coffee shop enjoys prime frontage, while the hidden downstairs restaurant offers a classic bistro menu specialising in steaks. The split-level dining room in muted beige and brown tones is cosy enough, even if it does leave you feeling that a stronger sense of style and vision might be required to set The Cellar Door apart from considerable local competition.
MANNA MAHAL 113 Buccleuch Street, Southside, www.mannamahal.co.uk, 0131 662 9111, £16 (dinner) A new Indian restaurant in town isn’t always a notable event, which is one of the reasons why Sebastian Joseph’s simple Manna Mahal, located in the premesis previously occupied by Jamaican adventure Coyaba, has taken some time to attract the attention it deserves. Hailing from Kerala, Joseph creates dishes with chilli, spices and lashings of coconut, including mutton coconut dry fry or regional favourite varatharachathu lamb. While the takeaway menu also caters to the local student population with burgers, kebabs and European dishes, the curries are some of the most intriguing in the city.
Full independent write-ups on all the restaurants listed here can be found on our online Eating & Drinking Guide, list.co.uk/food-and-drink. Prices shown are for an average two- course meal for one
SIDE DISHES TV’s titanic chefs battle it out
■ For those who prefer food through the medium of television rather than their own lips there’s some local interest in the next big thing to hit our TV screens this spring. Channel 4 will screen Iron Chef UK which, in its US format, was acclaimed by Guardian arts critic Michael Hann as ‘the single best thing on TV’, a combination of ‘haute cuisine, sports broadcasting and martial arts’. Nick Nairn is part of the team providing a running commentary as chefs go head-to-head to prepare dishes in an all- action ‘kitchen stadium’ filled with all the gadgets, machines, ovens and stoves they could ever wish for. Among the competing chefs are Tony Borthwick of The Plumed Horse in Leith, Pierre Levicky of Chez Pierre and Craig Dunn (pictured, above) of Michael Caines Fine Dining Restaurant at the ABode Hotel in Glasgow. Iron Chef UK screens throughout April at 5pm each day. Look out for our feature next issue.
the little inn
We serve freshly made and generously filled baguettes, paninis and hot breakfast rolls! As well as gourmet soups, delicious pastries, smoothies, milkshakes, snacks and cold drinks!
Oh and don’t forget to try one of our wonderful coffees or hot chocolates when you feel like something hot to warm you up on those cold and rainy Scottish days. We look forward to seeing you soon!
9 St Mary’s Street EH1 1TA 1 Johnston Terrace, EH1 2PW Opening hours: 7am till 3pm 7 days a week Open till late in August!
“Apart from the food, the atmosphere, the service and the approachable flexibility of the menu, the other commendable thing about David Bann is that his prices represent good value. ” Joanna Blythman, The Herald 56-58 St Mary’s Street, Edinburgh (off The Royal Mile and The Cowgate) www.davidbann.com 0131 556 5888 Eating and Drinking Open 7 Days from 11am
1–15 Apr 2010 THE LIST 11