3.5 Star Restaurant and Takeaway Reviews
Browsing the newest of 266 3.5 star reviews on EdinburghMenus.com.
Rick's
55a Frederick Street, EH2 1LH, Edinburgh
from Meng (87%) on July 31st, 2008 (4 months ago)
After scouring the reviews for places to eat, the Platinum Blonde approached me with a voucher for 2-for-1 on main meals at Rick's. Was I interested? I had to try. Yes was the answer.
Serendipity.
Came 15 minutes early for our 8 o clock booking only to be told that our booking was noted down as being for 8.15. Strange, but no matter. Had drinks. 2 for one? Only on selected items. Pity.
Moving on to our remarkable evening of dinner ,flirtation and conversation the food was ordered. Starters weren't tempting, so we opted for mains each and dessert to follow if there was room. Here's what we had:
Me: Sirloin steak, medium rare, with pink peppercorn sauce, onion and watercress salad in balsamic, with roesti wedges.
Her: Lemon poussin (teenaged chicks all thru' the night) with chilli-oil fried green beans.
Together: Bowl of fries with basil mayo, and dark chocolate truffle tart with creme fraiche and raspberry.
I must say I was left severely underwhelmed by my steak. It *looked* medium rare even after cutting it. Felt a bit cold though, and chewy which is odd. Maybe it's the cut (as sirloin isn't as fatty and flavoursome as other cuts), so for a 17 quid steak I must express disappointment. Still, half-price, so can't complain, eh?
The lemon-drizzled poussin was divine though. Tender, juicy chickenflesh oozing like butter in my mouth. I wish my steak was like that.
Salads, and spuds were good accompaniements. Basil mayo a novelty, but no-show really.
Dessert was excellent, and could've done with a bigger slice.
Service was okay, though spotty at times. It wasn't that busy, but again with a voucher in hand and in mind, and this being less of a blow to my wallet, I'd say the evening went off without a hitch, and would be happy to come back again.
But not for full price. Come armed with a voucher and it's a meal deal steal at Rick's. Pay full price, and gasp in bewilderment why you didn't bring it along in the first place.
Still, I know I'm being harsh. Maybe it'll be different next time round (read jcaughey's review above to contrast and compare). Maybe not.
In conclusion: "Rick's, I think this is the beauty of a friendly beginning." A tentative 3.5 out of 5.
(+2) (+1) (-1)
Chimei
294 Leith Walk, EH6 5BX, Edinburgh
from scottishblend (11%) on July 31st, 2008 (4 months ago)
As a great fan of duck (with fresh chillies) I found that this take-away offered quality and quantity with this dish...
However... on both occasions that I have ordered from this take-away I did not receive what I asked for... on the first occasion they added an extra meal (which was delivered and paid for, so I had it the next day for dinner)... on the second the fresh chillies mysteriously vanished.
On the plus side the staff are friendly, delivery is fast and they are open late.
(+1) (0) (0)
Café Andaluz
77B George Street, EH2 3ES, Edinburgh
from irishphat (77%) on July 24th, 2008 (4 months ago)
Just had lunch here with 2 others. Rang ahead - nice cosy cushioned seats down the back (didn't fancy the tables in the front at all). Nice quality menus and fittings. Clearly they've looked into getting decent kit for the joint.
Ordered soft drinks and 3 dishes each along with plenty of bread. Lamb meatballs (spicy), creamy mushrooms, beef and rocket with parmesan, king prawns (my fave) and lots of other bits and pieces. I thought it was very tasty and straightforward. Very simple (isn't that the whole point with tapas).
My favourite was the mussels and close second being the beef and rocket. Whole thing for 3 with soft drinks and tip (meagre - we didn't have the same person for two parts of the meal - felt a bit impersonal, service was fine but forgettable) cost £50 on the nose.
We had plenty of grub, I thought the dishes were fine in size - could possibly had a lidish extra each.I'd go again certainly as it's a great option on George st.
Ps - there's some sort of counter in the front that looks vaguely like a coffee shop bit. This needs further exploration on my next trip.
For now 3.5 but I may revisit and revise my grading on this so far pleasant joint.
(+1) (0) (0)
Sygn
15 Charlotte Lane, EH2 4QZ, Edinburgh
from craig777 (69%) on July 22nd, 2008 (4 months ago)
I went to Sygn the other week for my mums birthday and have a mixed response. We had mains and puddings as well as wine and I have to say the food was fantastic - on our table we had parma ham and monkfish kebabs and also scallop risotto. The only downside was the size or portions - they are not very big - luckily we ordered some sides between us but even then could have done with a side each.
Prices range from £13-15 for mains and all puddings seemed to come in around £5-6
(+1) (+1) (0)
Smoke Stack
53-55 Broughton Street, EH1 3RJ, Edinburgh
from elcc (23%) on July 17th, 2008 (4 months ago)
Came here not too long ago. Was pleseantly surprised by the chef who meticuliously cooked our dishes to a good standard. You could tell that each dish had been prepared carefully and with thought. The soup was fantastic as was the steak burger. Flavours were distinctive and not overpowered with non essential ingredients. All dishes were simply cooked but very tasteful. For the price we paid, we were definitely all full by the time we left. The only downside may be the dim lighting. Make sure you get a window seat.
(0) (0) (0)
GY Chinese Takeout
27 Roseneath Place, EH9 1JD, Edinburgh
from spuddytrash (10%) on July 13th, 2008 (4 months ago)
Excellent service, fast and tasty.
Some menu dishes can be expensive but the single dishes are very good value. Free delivery within reason.
Sam's comment about msg is totally false:
I have eaten there many times and many reviews state:
"they use no MSG in any of their dishes"
Judging by the taste of the dishes this is true.
Enjoy your meal!!!
(+2) (+1) (0)
Tusitala
47 Buckstone Terrace, EH10 6QJ, Edinburgh
from naomi (50%) on July 13th, 2008 (4 months ago)
Been here a couple of times and always great food. The portions are huge - too big infact so you don't need a starter! Pizza's delicious, cooked infront of you, pasta dishes also a winner. Last time I was here we had Brushetta to share (although it was just one big piece of bread) and I had pizza and sister had the filo parcels. She got too parcels and again, too much on the plate to eat. Service is fine. Gets busy at the weekend lunch so if a larger group you should book. If it's sunny that you can take a seat outside, views to the Pentlands although it is on the main road.
(+1) (0) (0)
La Favorita
325-331 Leith Walk, EH6 8SA, Edinburgh
from DrComida (12%) on July 12th, 2008 (4 months ago)
I booked a table at La Favorita for myself and four friends using the EdinburghMenus online booking service – this allows you to book directly into the restaurants system and as such is a quick, easy and reliable way of booking a table. I have eaten at La Favorita on several prior occasions and have always been impressed with the food and service. My visit last week however, was a bit of a disappointment. There was nothing wrong with the service – in fact on finding a potato peeling at the bottom of a side salad (!) the waiter was very apologetic and quick to return from the kitchen with a new salad. The problem lay, I believe, in my poor choice of main course. Both a friend and myself ordered the sliced steak with spaghetti. Having requested our steak rare, we received a measly four medium/well done slithers of meat on the side of a handful of spaghetti. It was tasty enough, but I left the restaurant hungry! Another friend ordered Calzone – which looked filling and delicious. I will most likely go back to La Favorita, but I’ll definitely stick to the pizza from now on.
(+1) (0) (0)
Giuliano's on the Shore
1 Commercial Street, EH6 6JA, Edinburgh
from andy (100%) on July 10th, 2008 (4 months ago)
I visited here a couple of weeks ago in a group of 10, I think, for someone's birthday. We had a good meal. Pretty cheap and very cheerful.
Pretty standard Italian pizza and pasta affair, but here's my brief advice on what to order: steer clear of the various bruschetta options to start. They're fine but the other starters are much better (deep fried mushrooms was excellent). Pasta dishes were better for main course than the pizzas. And be sure to leave space for dessert. All the classics are there - the knickerbockerglory and the banana split were the big winners at our table.
Good place to go as a group for a birthday or similar, and people seem to know that - while we were there the lights got dimmed at least 4 times while they piped "happy birthday" through the sound system and the waiters set about embarassing their next birthday victim with chants of "speech! speech!" etc.
(0) (0) (0)
The Hill Station
99 Comiston Road, EH10 6AG, Edinburgh
from Meng (87%) on July 7th, 2008 (4 months ago)
I decided to get an Indian takeaway for this Sunday, and the nearest and most trusted one around (so says the Platinum Blonde) was Hill Station, a rather unassuming takeaway on Comiston Road.
We had the chicken jalfrezi and lamb rogan josh with pilau rice (we supplied our own bhajis, pakoras and peshwari naan). 5.50 for curries, and all in all I paid a reasonable 14 quid. Was it good?
You bet your bottom ruppee it were good. The curries were delicious and flavoursome (not an anonymous all-in-one sauce with radioactive colourings) while being authentically hot and spicy. Not too salty, was just right. Food didn't take too long too (45 minutes, which we expected and ordered early in advance so it reached us when we needed it)
On a lazy Sunday night reclining back to watch some rubbish telly, this takeaway should curry your favour. Not a stellar 4 or perfect 5 (as of time of writing, Hill Station being the 'highest rated' per 4 review), but definitely a solid 3.5 out of 5.
(+2) (+1) (0)
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