Good food. Nice feel to the place. You could do a lot worse.
Looking for a quick bite for a joint birthday dinner I had been in my way to Pizza Express Morningside when I realized this place was newly opened so I thought I'd give it a shot. They'd only been open 4 days and it was a Tuesday so there was no problem getting a table - I passed by on Saturday night and saw the place packed so this is clearly no longer the case!
Weirdly, the 4 couples in the venue were placed in the back, in 4 tables uncomfortably close to each other, while the rest of the restaurant was empty. When the SO arrived he immediately asked to be moved. He's an inch off being medically a giant so the set up didn't suit him at all. The manager made it quite difficult and I assumed the rest of the tables had been booked out, I scolded him for causing a fuss. In the 2 and a bit hours we were there 3 more tables were filled, half the place was empty so I really didn't understand the seating choice nor the reaction when we asked to be moved (especially considering that it was darn obvious he would have had trouble where we were).
Anyhoo, all that aside, we had a lovely meal and a pleasant meal. The menu is convincingly French with a Scottish twist. For starters I had escargot with fried foie gras which was delicious, earthy and had a beautifully strong taste. Across the table it was haggis balls and I quote 'oh sorry I didn't offer you any, I was too excited to eat them'. For mains I had the 'Bleue- blaise' which was fantastic, whole shellfish, fish fillets and bread with garlic butter in a lobster bisque. Meanwhile chicken creole was the all of the day with my dining partner and he was happy enough.
We skipped out on dessert but I had a very drinkable dessert wine which I would go back for.
The decor is a bit Ted Baker autumn/winter 14/15 if you catch my drift. If not think florals, teal and blues with a dab of purple. The seats are cosy though and this colour scheme works, making the place look both demure and bright (so well done interior design person).
The wait staff are very friendly, and very attentive though not overly so.
We'll head back at some stage but probably request a booth or Windows seat to avoid being stuck somewhere one of us doesn't fit. read more