from nettles (96%) on August 6th, 2007 (1 year ago)

Old Orleans, Unit 7, Fountainpark, EH11 1AL, Edinburgh

We wanted to see the Simpsons movie. We wanted to eat before. We saw ribs on a menu hence the visit to Old Orleans. I had never been there before, had never heard of it, but I am guessing this place is a chain restaurant that has been moulded from the chain places found in in America. The cookie cutter decor and our ever so friendly waiter who even cracked jokes told me this with no words necessary.

We ordered a full slab of ribs and a double portioned starter to share, garlic mushrooms (not deep fried) on brioche toast with a black peppercorn sauce. The sauce sounded weird to me but upon closer inspection of the menu I realised this was one of their four sauces which accompany a lot of dishes on the menu. I start to picture these arriving at the restaurant in huge vats or more likely plastic bags shipped from the Old Orleans homeland where most of the food is made to be shipped and assembled at its outlets. I fight back my cringe and try to concentrate on the food.

It's not bad. The ribs were juicy, succulent, and the sauce was sweet and thick. Not smoky and they gave you extra if you wanted (or one of the other three sauces). The friendly waiter asked if I wanted a variety of condiments including ketchup, mustard, mayonaise and some others for my fries. I could hardly hear him past my shock. It has been my experience in restaurants that if you want any kind of condiment you better ask your waiter right when you sit down! The mayo and ketchup came promptly, but there were only a few tables filled in the huge space but I have a feeling that this kind of service is what you always get there.

The mushrooms were tasty but I couldn't really get into the sauce. It was one of those slightly gelatenous sauces and did not go well with the toast, blue cheese, and mushrooms. I figure they could add on another sauce at the homeship.

In true american style we had the brownie with white chocolate sauce which was served in a separate pouring pot. It was dense and chocolately, not bad, and most likely not cooked on site.

If I do find myself there again I will stick with the ribs and the two for one fancy cocktails which I think only are on during the week. If there is a next time.

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from jcaughey (73%) on October 15th, 2007 (11 months ago)

Old Orleans, Unit 7, Fountainpark, EH11 1AL, Edinburgh

Being a Cineworld card holder, I go to the cinema at Foutain Park... a lot... There are 2 choices for food Pizza Hut or Old Orleans. You know not to go to Pizza Hut (overpriced junk rubbish) go to Old Orleans!!!

It is a chain pub, I have been to one in Newcastle before and it was rubbish. The one at Foutain Park is the complete opposite. The service everytime I have been is excellent. The food is yummy and the menu choice is great. There are a few cocktails on there to sample as well. It is about the same price as a pizza from pizza hut for a main but is fresh and yummy.

I quite liked the fact that you are provided with crayons to doodle on the table cloth though I think that is probably for when the kids visit.

For a chain, Old Orleans in Edinburgh is fab!!!

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from mattmadethis (24%) on April 22nd, 2008 (5 months ago)

Old Orleans, Unit 7, Fountainpark, EH11 1AL, Edinburgh

I've been here a few times because you can usually use your Cineworld ticket stubs to get a meal free, however the prices mean that it's about the same price as McCowans down the street even with the discount.

It reminds me of TGI Fridays but without the cheese. The waiter was friendly but maybe too familiar? Drinks were on the over £3 side and the food was a bit dry and as nettles pointed out they offered you plenty of sauces. But that's because you need them!

Overall the food was bad, it was just a let down.

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