1.5 Star Restaurant and Takeaway Reviews

Browsing the newest of 14 1.5 star reviews on EdinburghMenus.com.

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Shaws Restaurant

21 Old Fishmarket Close, EH1 1RW, Edinburgh

from craig777 (56%) on May 2nd, 2008 (2 weeks ago)

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)

(+1) (0) (0)

The Raj Restaurant

87-91a Henderson Street, EH6 6ED, Edinburgh

from Watty (20%) on April 29th, 2008 (2 weeks ago)

Today was the second time I have been to the Raj in the last 6 months. Just before Christmas a group of us had a 3 course meal in there. The food was great. The value for money was great. However the service was terrible. Surly service with hardly noticable thanks yous coupled with the eagerness to remove plates while we were still eating gave a poor 1st impression of the place.

At the time, due to the festive period, we decided not to mention anything.

Back to lunch time today, two of us were seated (not greeted), had menus snatched from our hands and very few manners were observed by the waiting staff. Again, THE FOOD WAS GREAT, but the service let it down very badly. The thing that topped it off for me and has prompted me to write a review is that seconds after the main course plates were taken away (as I was in the process of putting my fork back down) one of the waiters abruptly placed the bill on our table. We hadn't asked for the bill, the restaurant was due to be open for another 30 minutes and he never even asked if we wanted any coffee, dessert or more wine. Obviously no tip was left and a letter of complaint has been sent to the manager. Is it any wonder that everytime I pass by The Raj, it appears empty?

I work in a company that often entertains clients in the area and I can certainly say that I will NOT be going back. A shame really...

1983 prices but with 1893 service!

(+1) (0) (0)

Centotre

103 George Street, EH2 3ES, Edinburgh

from Mike and Lynne (20%) on April 25th, 2008 (3 weeks ago)

This restaurant can be summed up in one phrase'style over substance'. The restaurant looks wonderful, real shame the food and the service doesn't match. First food, we were interested in just a quick bite to eat, with the intention of having a blow out if the initial indicators were favourable ie if they do the basics right then we'd be back. We ordered a pizza and pasta with clams. The clams were served with a shell type pasta, not the ideal pasta to pick up the delicate flavours of seafood, the pasta itself was undercooked, no not al dente, undercooked, the sauce was lacking in flavour. Price £12, pizza was poor and luke warm, £12. We didn't go back, the restaurant is overpriced and clearly has grand pretensions, try getting the basics right first. Would not recommend."

(0) (-1) (0)

Metropole Coffee House

29-33 Newington Road, EH9 1QR, Edinburgh

from duffer (20%) on April 23rd, 2008 (3 weeks ago)

Quite expensive, and the staff can be a hit or a miss - had a terrible experience there recently, there's an air of complacency sometimes as it's always packed with quite rich diners...

(-1) (0) (0)

Koi

30 Potterrow, EH8 9BT, Edinburgh

from northallan (13%) on March 2nd, 2008 (2 months ago)

Having eaten teppanyaki for many years and in many countries, I was persuaded by friends to try the (apparently only) Edinburgh version. This is not the teppanyaki I know. The chef we had is a pastiche of the real version, possibly because he seems to be serving diners composed of girl groups and inexperienced japanese restaurant diners. The area was dirty when we were sat down, and the cooking surfaces looked as though they hadn't been properly cleaned for some time. The chef arrived eventually and marked his arrival by performing a very dangerous stunt, namely launching a large dose of alcohol and fat onto the hot surfaces as we watched. Frightening. He boldly asked if any of us had eaten teppanyaki before, and seemed surprised when I said I had many years experience experiencing and indeed reviewing this cuisine. He became agitated and verged on being abusive, until I suggested he treat us as Customers and proceed with the cooking. He ultimately became very apologetic, and offered my partner free drinks.

The food is more in the nature of rough barbecue cooking than teppanyaki, and included a glutinous mess of chicken in peanut sauce, sauteed in a makeshift aluminium foil pan. Vegetables were not apparent until the very end when he seemed to notice that he hadn't cooked the bamboo shoots. The starter was plated and served having been cooked elsewhere. Like another reviewer, I was dismayed by the frequent offer of lollipops and mini-chocolate bars in place of food.

But for my guest and the wish to review the restaurant I would have left after the chef's fire and vocal attack.

I can't recommend this to anyone except stag parties.

(+4) (0) (+1)

Sushiya

19 Dalry Road, EH11 2BQ, Edinburgh

from petko (20%) on February 18th, 2008 (2 months ago)

Well guys, I guess I went there after so many recommendations, and from people people who have been in Japan too, and that's why I was really unimpressed.

Now, I've never been a snob or anything about food but I lived in Japan for 5 years myself and I guarantee that this was the worst Japanese food I've ever tried, including entries such as Royal Host, etc. Hum, should have noticed that the chefs are Chinese before I seated.

Seriously, nothing personal but if this is the best place in Edinburgh, then no place is worth visiting at all. I tried sushi, sashimi, tempura, katsudon and ramen. I confess that the shape and colours were just fine. However, the taste was a real distant echo of what makes Japanese food so popular. The ramen was a disaster, although it is a Chinese invention.

As for the price, for appr. 10 pounds pp, even in Tokyo one can get 4 times more food than what Sushiya offers. And from the products used only the beer was imported.

Anyway, this was my personal opinion, others might advise otherwise.

(+1) (-1) (0)

indigo (yard)

7 Charlotte Lane, EH2 4QZ, Edinburgh

from Bryan (49%) on February 12th, 2008 (3 months ago)

Decent pub food but only 1.5 stars for having 'yard' in parentheses. Completely pointless.

(0) (+1) (+2)

Itihaas

17-19 Eskbank Road, EH22 1HD, Edinburgh

from diner (11%) on February 9th, 2008 (3 months ago)

Nice looking premises, light and staff attentive and smart.

Ordered a takeaway on busy Saturday night. Firstly a mix up with orders lucky I noticed as I was walking out the door.

Got home and took lids off all we found was two watery very very oily meals. The rice was fine as was the naan bread.

Both curries were bland and after pouring out a cupful of oil both meals ended up in the bin. I could not get through on phone as it was busy so I have yet to let them know my findings. I will not be returning ...

(+3) (-1) (0)

Doric Tavern

15-16 Market Street, EH1 1DE, Edinburgh

from profeta77 (57%) on February 4th, 2008 (3 months ago)

We went to the Doric Tavern on Saturday night with Edinburgh Dine Around offer at £15 per person for a 2 course meal. That was a well disappointing experience.

First of all when we arrived the waitress, who never smiled were not welcoming at all at arrival and lost our booking. Luckily enough a table for 2 was available.

Then when the starter arrives, no bread is served with the salad although there is a bread plate for each of us and I have to ask twice to get the bread served.

Started Pan fried chicken liver and bacon salad was really good. But the main, Plaice on salad with capers and dressing was really dull and the capers were missing.

We ordered a pudding and a coffee but coffee took longer because there was no more coffee. Fair enough.

AND FINALLY, THIS IS LAST TOUCH: they charged us £1 for a jug of tap water and £2 for the 4 small slices of bread!

I honestly think that any restaurant that charges you for bread and tap water should be boycotted.

This was scandalous.

(+3) (+2) (0)

Chimei

294 Leith Walk, EH6 5BX, Edinburgh

from sneeu (15%) on January 28th, 2008 (3 months ago)

My girlfriend and I ordered from Chimei after finding the good review above. She had Chicken in a Yellow Bean sauce and boiled rice. I had Beef fried rice, my usual.

Delivery was quick and the food was reasonable ... until about 3.30am when I felt sick: food poisoning.

I took the next day off work to recover, spending the whole day in bed until my girlfriend returned from work with man-illness supplies.

(+2) (0) (+2)