261038 Fri Mar 08 14:06:08 -0800 2002 7 26 International 0 1379500 Will be in Edinburgh for a couple of days over Easter and would appreciate some of your favorite restaurants. Will be staying in centre of city, so would like to be able to walk or simple transportation directions. I've read on this site that the Leith area has several good choices, is it easy to get to? General food tasts are Italian, bistro, Ethiopian (okay I'm asking for a lot here), and always a good pub and/or chippie. Fri Mar 08 14:06:08 -0800 2002 0 Gus H 1 1379503 One of the great undiscovered jewels of Edinburgh -- I hesitate to name it -- is the Marakesh Hotel, 30 London Street, Tel (0131) 556-4444. Its restaurant is a strictly family affair serving traditional family recipes. Check them out by phone; they're open irregular hours and they do not advertise. Say that John Kenny recommended them. Pay particular attention to Kufta de Mairakech (lamb mince balls mixed with onion, coriander & cumin, topped with a fried egg and fresh tomato), Tagine del houte m'charmel (marinated fish in sauce chermoula), and their unspeakably wonderful grilled sardines. But everything is memorable; close yours eyes and stick in a pin, or consult the I Ching -- no method will lead you astray. Being Muslim, they do not serve alcohol, but you're welcome to bring your own bottle without charge. It is customary that you open and pour it yourself rather than asking them to handle it. Fri Mar 08 15:25:47 -0800 2002 1379500 0 John Whiting 2 1380034 I spent last weekend in Edinburgh and was delighted once more by The Apartment, located on 7-13 Barclay Place, Edinburgh. It opened about 3 years ago and offers fantastic food (particularly good for their C.H.L. which is what they call "chunky, healthy lines"- skewers of whatever you fancy - might be moroccan lamb balls or king prawns or wild mushrooms with roasted sweet potato etc with yogurt sauce, salad and pitas. But they also do pasta dishes, steaks, and fish) Reasonable prices, friendly service and great ambiance (must book in advance tho as it is always busy)... Tue Apr 02 05:50:38 -0800 2002 1379503 0 Tricia 1 1379519 The Mussel Inn, on Rose ST in the city center. The mussel pots (big steaming pots w/various broths/seasonings) are terrific if you like mussels. The scallops and oyster dishes were judged as terrific by my other. I really liked this restaurant because it had great bread that I could dip into the mussel juice in the pot and sop it up (w/no one looking at me strangely). The restaurant uses local seafood. I felt the prices were quite reasonable as well. Sat Mar 09 12:32:53 -0800 2002 1379500 0 Sweet Willie 1 1379524 a scot girl just told me about her favourite chip shop in her hometown of dunfermline not far outside of edinburgh. she says they serve what she thinks are the best haggis suppers - haggis, batter dipped and deep fried, served with chips. and they have deep fried mars and bounty bars as well. she also tipped me off that chip shop brown sauce is regional to the east of scotland and not usually found in the west. alari's 19 chalmer's st. dunfermline, fife 01383 722879 Sat Mar 09 23:33:22 -0800 2002 1379500 0 louisa 1 1379532 Still amazingly good the last time I was there a few months ago is the original Pierre Victoire on Victoria Street. It gave birth to an over-extended string of franchised branches of uneven quality, which collapsed like a gastronomical Enron, but the ur-version survives. When I was last there a guest chef from France was turning out very respectable bistro food at very reasonable prices -- which is what this place was always about. Years ago when I was in Edinbugh for an orchestral recording session I took the conductor and the American producer there for dinner. They were both snobs of the first water, accustomed to the best and the most expensive, but they ended up going there every night. Sun Mar 10 19:09:54 -0800 2002 1379500 0 John Whiting 2 1380056 I'm glad to hear that the original Pierre Victoire's has refound its footing. When I lived (in relative poverty) in Edinburgh in the early 90s, their 3 course set lunch for 5 pounds was a great bargain, usually very tasty, and occasionally sublime. Over the next several years, I had meals at various Pierre Victoires, Pierre Lapins, and the likes scattered around Edinburgh and even farther afield and some of those meals were downright disgusting. Another Victoria Street special is the Iain Mellis cheese shop (I think there's a branch in Bruntsfield Place also). They specialize in rare farmhouse cheeses from around the UK, and will let you taste to your hearts content. Buy a few nibbles, pick up a bottle of port somewhere, and retire to your hotel room for a great nosh. Tue Apr 02 20:47:19 -0800 2002 1379532 0 Elaine(Snutteplutten) 1 1379756 If you are going with partner and want somewhere romantic, the Witchery ask for table in rear room, not cheap but excellent when I ate there last. It's near to the whisky centre on the Royal Mile, 50 yards from castle entrance. Tue Mar 19 13:31:11 -0800 2002 1379500 0 Dan