On our last day in Edinburgh, we popped in here for a late lunch as it was within walking distance of our hotel. Our party of three, which included our 9-year old son, sat at street level, across from the bar.
We received a warm welcome, and were the only ones dining at that hour (it was around 3 p.m.). My husband had the hot brie, bacon and cranberry; I had a chicken Caesar salad with a side of onion rings; our son had the macaroni and cheese.
During our 2+-week trip, my husband tried several versions of the same sandwich and deemed Mercat's the best. It was on hearty brown bread, with copious amounts of filling. He who usually inhales his food savored every morsel of that sandwich, and washed it down with a local brew.
My Caesar was tasty, but drowning in too much dressing. A lighter hand with the dressing, and the salad would've been perfect. The chicken was perfectly cooked, and there was a generous amount of fresh Parmesan. The onion rings were perfectly cooked, and had a light, crispy batter. My beverage of choice was a pint of Strongbow.
The 9-year old's crock of mac 'n cheese was delish; however, it is made with a mature/sharp cheddar (which was a little too sharp for the little guy's palate). The crock of pasta and cheese had the appropriate amount of browned bits on top, and was tender and flavorful. The side salad came dressed in a raspberry vinaigrette, which helped cut through the richness of the mac 'n cheese.
Definitely will seek this place out the next time we're in Edinburgh. read more