WINE & LIFESTYLE REPORT
Edinburgh
November 2010
Let me start with Scottish mentality on rain, "Don't think about it as rain, see it as virgin whiskey falling from the sky, we can drink it 15 years later!"
So yes this is a city from a rainy country, but that's only a trade off for excellent whiskey, vast green sceneries, perfect pasture for lamb and cows and endless bodies of water, which offer you vast culinary pleasures and soothing wandering pleasures.
Edinburgh specifically looks really well preserved, keeping at its core the medieval look so craved by tourists, but impeccably clean and with an upbeat feeling. General buildings at this core retain the original design with very few modern examples, being the parliament one of them. The surroundings are not megalomaniac maintaining a low structure that assures a gentle mix between past and present architecture.
It is not a very big town and one can get a general idea in about two days of walking around. But it is a very interesting place very rich in History that invites to linger at some nicely framed spots, imagining how the clans once inhabited them.
One element that is clearly amazing is the dramatic nature surroundings, that offer the city a post card image framework composed by the sea and its calm coastal area, natural parks and mountains that invite you to endure some hiking right after a walk down the "The Royal Mile".
So yes this is a city from a rainy country, but that's only a trade off for excellent whiskey, vast green sceneries, perfect pasture for lamb and cows and endless bodies of water, which offer you vast culinary pleasures and soothing wandering pleasures.
Edinburgh specifically looks really well preserved, keeping at its core the medieval look so craved by tourists, but impeccably clean and with an upbeat feeling. General buildings at this core retain the original design with very few modern examples, being the parliament one of them. The surroundings are not megalomaniac maintaining a low structure that assures a gentle mix between past and present architecture.
It is not a very big town and one can get a general idea in about two days of walking around. But it is a very interesting place very rich in History that invites to linger at some nicely framed spots, imagining how the clans once inhabited them.
One element that is clearly amazing is the dramatic nature surroundings, that offer the city a post card image framework composed by the sea and its calm coastal area, natural parks and mountains that invite you to endure some hiking right after a walk down the "The Royal Mile".
We stayed at Hotel Tigerlily, definitely one of the high points of our trip. Nested in a calm street parallel to to main commercial street it boasts style. The ground floor also lodges one of the hippest bars in town, which is completely overflowed on weekends as Scottish really like to endure some social drinking, but if you're not up to it absolutely no noise will affect the rooms area. Rooms are super comfortable, very well furnished and spacious.
The restaurant scene is pretty upbeat and it is easy to eat well, we had some very good experiences, The Dogs being one of our favourites, a gastropub, recreating typical Scottish and British dishes with a twist, all served in small portions so you can taste several in a Spanish style. The kind of restaurant where you can eat day in day out, with excellent atmosphere to hang enjoying the nice music selection.
It is actually a chain, formed by Seadogs, which is focused on seafood and I very nice experience too, Amore Dogs (Italian) and the bar Underdogs, the last two reserved for a next visit.
This would be the perfect place to order a beer as there are serious limitations regarding glassware and choice when it comes to drinking wine.
It is actually a chain, formed by Seadogs, which is focused on seafood and I very nice experience too, Amore Dogs (Italian) and the bar Underdogs, the last two reserved for a next visit.
This would be the perfect place to order a beer as there are serious limitations regarding glassware and choice when it comes to drinking wine.
The 21212 restaurant, awarded a Michelin star in 2010, was the highest point of the gastromic exploring. This is part of an Hotel, that's slightly away from the city centre but still at walking distance.
It is run by a couple, Paul Kitching, the Chef, and his wife Katie running Public Relations affairs, and they both excel at their responsibilities.
The menu represents a modern approach of French cuisine with Scottish influences, mainly showcased by the ingredients used, fresh produce from the sea. All dishes were lively and vibrant, satisfyingly intense and cooked to perfection.
Service in general was attentive and effective, wine service specifically was very competent, with excelent choices by the glass, kept at precisely perfet serving temperatures.
It is run by a couple, Paul Kitching, the Chef, and his wife Katie running Public Relations affairs, and they both excel at their responsibilities.
The menu represents a modern approach of French cuisine with Scottish influences, mainly showcased by the ingredients used, fresh produce from the sea. All dishes were lively and vibrant, satisfyingly intense and cooked to perfection.
Service in general was attentive and effective, wine service specifically was very competent, with excelent choices by the glass, kept at precisely perfet serving temperatures.
The Kitchin
This was a bit disappointing to be honest. Also a Michelin stared spot and very raved by some critics, is run by Tom and Michaela Kitchin.
We honestly thought it to be far from the fresh ideas shown by 21212. The meal was well cooked but kind of sluggish and heavy with components that really put me off.
This is not an experience I'm keen on repeating considering the price tag.
This was a bit disappointing to be honest. Also a Michelin stared spot and very raved by some critics, is run by Tom and Michaela Kitchin.
We honestly thought it to be far from the fresh ideas shown by 21212. The meal was well cooked but kind of sluggish and heavy with components that really put me off.
This is not an experience I'm keen on repeating considering the price tag.
