(Guest Blog-Scotland) A little French madness, a gid mug ae Scottish food and a trip to The Elph.
La P’tite Folie, Edinburgh
J'adore La P’tite Folie -- known as The Little Madness. There are two restaurants known as La P’tite Folie, one located at 61 Frederick Street and the other at 9 Randolph Place. The latter of the two was chosen as it’s the more sophisticated of the two sisters and my friend and I decided that’s what we wanted to be that night (which made quite a change to the bog-standard takeaway meal with which you never know how you will be left feeling the next day). The owner Virginie transformed The ‘Tudor House’ on Randolph Place into a charming cosy environment to enjoy great traditional French cuisine. Virginie’s husband Ghislain runs the Le Di-Vin in the same building -- just at the back when you enter -- in which you can enjoy a wide range of wines to suit the taste buds before or after your meal or just on its own with nibbles available to order. You also have the option either to sit out at the front in between the large impressive pillars that are on show in Edinburgh’s West End or remain inside as we did in a comfortable atmosphere. A friendly service awaits you inside and our waitress was most helpful as she enlightened me that the starter of Steamed Mussels in Shallots, Garlic and White Wine Cream could be ordered as a main. Full steam ahead! My friend looked a little disgusted as the large bowl of mussels diminished steadily under her gaze, it was not the dish’s fault to be honest, it was more down to the way in which they were being eaten (not very ladylike shall we say). This dish as a main was pretty big and perhaps my only grumble is that I didn’t manage to finish it all. Nonetheless the food here is great and I do love a good Sticky Toffee Pudding -- nice and light, just what you need after such a big meal. The place is cosy and has a constant buzz of people coming and going. If you are in Edinburgh’s West End, make a pit stop here. It’s a well-deserved break in a hectic day and you’ll feel revitalised or somewhat tipsy after, which let’s face it is never a bad thing.
More information on La P’tite Folie, EdinburghTeuchters Landing, Leith
There’s nuttin like a gid mug ae Scottish food tae munch at Teuchters Landingin Leith. I’ve never seen a Mug Menu anywhere else and that’s why I love it so much, it’s just that little bit different. There’s Mug o’ meatballs, Mug of oysters and mussels fresh from Sea Magee and Mug of haggis stovies and lots more but those three are my favourite. The mugs themselves are lovely and you can eat them inside in the cold winter and heat yourself back up or outside on the pontoon and terrace when the weather’s braw. Teuchters Landing is the bar however right next to it is A Room in Leith which is the restaurant with a beautiful waterside setting that serves as the perfect place to enjoy good quality food and not too expensive either. The Teuchters Landing bar of course not only has great mugs (not the people the actual mugs) but also a plentiful supply of drinks on offer. Cocktails and champagne to cask ales and lagers and a superb malt whisky selection that sprawls the length of each gantry. I love this place as there’s so much on offer but in a really relaxing friendly environment.
More information on Teuchters Landing, LeithThe Elphinstone Hotel & Restaurant, Biggar
I was out for a day trip in the car with the family and came across Biggar just 25 minutes outside Edinburgh. That’s where we found ‘The Elph’, a 400-year-old coaching inn with good food and a good family friendly atmosphere. It’s a warm and friendly place and you are really made to feel welcome by the owners Robert and Janette Allen.There’s lots to do for all the family, such as: Biggar Park with its boating pond, golf course, putting green and tennis courts; The Purves Puppet Theatre; and the Biggar Heritage Trail, which takes in dozens of sites from the town’s rich historical past. With so much to do in Biggar we spent the day there and became quite ravenous -- ‘The Elph’ took care of that. The Elphinstone’s restaurant appears quite popular with tourists and the locals, and the food tasted great and it was the quietest my family had been all day. There are rooms available suitable for families and couples with TV and wifi throughout. If we had been better organised we would have stayed the weekend as there was so much to do and see, but there’s always next time and I highly recommend eating there as it’s good wholesome food that will keep you going on your ventures.
More information on The Elphinstone Hotel & Restaurant, BiggarGuest Blog by Sarah FishwickMore restaurants in Scotland
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