from craig777 (64%) on May 2nd, 2008 (2 months ago)

Shaws Restaurant, 21 Old Fishmarket Close, EH1 1RW, Edinburgh

We went here the other night and I have to say it was a big mistake. Reviews had been very good but when we arrived there it seemed like a completely different restaurant. The atmosphere was completely lacking as we were the only table in the place bar one other for a Thursday night. Firstly we tried to order white wine and they didn't have our first 3 choices?!

The menu is not the clearest with starters being named as starters/tapas. I tried to order shelled prawn tails in garlic and parsley butter which was met after a few minutes with the fact they didnt have them but they did have atlantic prawns in olive oil?!

At our table we had a few different starters. I opted for scallops which were very good, a couple of people had mussles which they have said are the worst they have had - gritty, small and no taste.

Mains were slightly better with the majority of the table going for steaks which seemed to be the best option as they looked and tasted brilliant. I had salmon which was also good - but possibly slightly over cooked.

Puddings wise the choice was limited to say the least - chocolate cake or sticky toffee pudding. The sticky toffee pudding was very poor and very gritty (hadnt been cooked enough to dissolve the sugar). Overall very poor choice of puddings on offer.

Trying to pay was also an effort as we were informed that they didnt take cards - after 7 of us had eaten and drunk? So put a bit of a dampener on the night as meant we had to try and find a bank machine and get enough people to take money out to cover it - when it was a work night out.

Overall for the location of the restaurant it should be better - it is right in the heart of the tourist trap and its offering is very poor overall. It has recently changed hands so it may have been better before but I would steer clear and choose somewhere else if you can.

Starters/Tapas range from £4.95-£5.95

Mains range from £9.95 (vegie option), £12.95 (salmon), £18.95 (steak)

Useful?Useful(+2) Agree?I agree(0) Funny?Ha ha!(0) Report?Spam

Sign up or log in to moderate this review