Currently ranked #25 best restaurant in the world according to me…read more
During my second trip to Edinburgh, I finally took the plunge and stopped in for dinner, even though no one had ever specifically recommended Olive Branch. But I had stood outside perusing the menu posted near the entryway several times before and eventually had a reckoning.
Inside, Olive Branch is modern and carefully designed with high ceilings, a full bar, exposed, and has the menu written in chalk on one of the walls. It's cozy inside with relatively few tables, maybe 10 or fewer.
The menu looked inspired and, best of all, it was simplified down to only a handful of dishes - a good sign. We went with the grilled asparagus appetizer [A+], which was super fresh and delicious with a novel flavor mix of micro greens, pea puree, and pickled fennel.
For the main course, I ordered the roasted lamb rump. This was served with pea puree again, parsnip crisps, and lentils. Everything about this dish was exquisite. The lamb was soft and well seasoned with incredible sauce. The lentils were nicely seasoned and cooked perfectly. (Usually, this is where restaurants really cut corners.) My dad ordered the ribeye, which tried and scored as an [A].
For dessert, I did the marshmallow and dark chocolate cheesecake, which was to die for [A+].
Overall, they did everything exceptionally well. Our server was upbeat, truly knowledgeable about the food, and on-point with our food and drink. Each dish showed me that both the quality of the food was superior as was the detail and thought put into its preparation. I was stunned. Wow...