Mark Greenaway - Edinburgh

I knew this would be incredible, I just didn't know how incredible.__Constantly ranked one of Edinburgh's best meals, it's easy to see why. read more I knew this would be incredible, I just didn't know how incredible.__Constantly ranked one of Edinburgh's best meals, it's easy to see why.

Every year for Christmas my work treats us and our partners to a fabulous night out (I say every year, I've been twice now) and this year was no read more Every year for Christmas my work treats us and our partners to a fabulous night out (I say every year, I've been twice now) and this year was no

Incredible service, doesn't rely on obscure and novel ingredients to deliver an amazing experience - just craft, artistry, and execution.__It's been a read more Incredible service, doesn't rely on obscure and novel ingredients to deliver an amazing experience - just craft, artistry, and execution.__It's been a

Every year for Christmas my work treats us and our partners to a fabulous night out (I say every year, I've been twice now and this year was no exception! I was... read more Every year for Christmas my work treats us and our partners to a fabulous night out (I say every year, I've been twice now and this year was no exception! I was really excited when I was told we were going here for dinner as I knew it would be super fancy, and the company always pays for everything so that's a bonus! We were in the private dining room as there were about 17 of us and we were informed that we were the first people to try it out which was pretty cool they even gave us champagne after our meal because of that which was awesome. Our table was booked for 9pm and wasn't quite ready when we all showed up (about 5 minutes late but it wasn't too long before it was ready and the staff showed us where to go. I felt that the stairs leading down to the private room (and the toilets for it were a bit dingy and not very welcoming, but this wasn't really a big deal for me personally. The staff were absolutely brilliant the entire night we didn't end up leaving the place til well after midnight and they remained cheery and extremely attentive! We were seated at the big square table and given Prosecco while we perused the menu. In true Debs style, I'd already picked out what I was having pretty much as soon as I knew where we were going so I was really looking forward to my food! We were also given bread while we waited which was good as most of us were starving by that point. I had the crab starter (see photo and it was proper dining theatre the cannelloni dish sat on top of the smoked cauliflower custard dish to begin with, and when it was removed, smoke which had been kept underneath to flavour the custard billowed out, it was so cool!! The cannelloni was brilliant, really refreshing and light and I could've easily eaten about three of them. Unfortunately I wasn't keen on the custard, it was a bit too smoky and strong for my taste buds to handle but I ate the crab out of it because crab. We were also told which way the chef recommended we eat the dish that's how you know you're in a fancy place! I had braised beef daube for main and this was pretty substantial! I ended up palming some of it off to the bf and a couple of my colleagues cause they'd already wolfed their turkey (I'm assured it was very tasty! and by that point it was getting too late for me to handle a heavy meal. The beef itself was well cooked, and the veggies which came with it were also really nice. Although I did feel the beef was slightly lacking in flavour I had similarly done beef at the Yelp Christmas dinner and I probably actually preferred that! Although I maybe should've just changed my meal up a bit and that might've helped ha. Now the dessert. Oh my. This was definitely a triumph! The treacle tart was very tasty and rich, I love my cakes/desserts and this was probably the course I'd been looking forward to the most, so I was very happy indeed! The honeycomb and tuile biscuit were totally divine as well and the little vanilla lollipop (almost ice cream like in consistency but very smooth! was a fab touch. As I said before, absolutely cannot fault the service the staff were constantly filling up our wine/water and making sure everything was ok, and nothing was too much trouble for them. The music they had playing in the room was a tad strange, felt a bit more like we were in a swanky nightclub than a swanky restaurant, but I'm not taking anything away from them for that!! Great for a properly classy dining experience!!

There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that this restaurant is deserving of a 5* review. Without a doubt, the best eating experience I've had in my life. Mark G... read more There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that this restaurant is deserving of a 5* review. Without a doubt, the best eating experience I've had in my life. Mark Greenaway is a fantastic chef and his refreshingly contemporary menu definitely reflects this. I was asked from my lovely boyfriend what I'd like for my birthday, and all I could think of was a nice meal out, and he told me to book the place of my choice. I wonder if he meant that 100%, but I took it upon myself to book a table for the opening weekend of Mark Greenaway's spectacular new restaurant on 69 North Castle Street. We headed in this evening a bit earlier (damn you Edinburgh road works! , but made it in plenty of time. Upon entering the restaurant, which by the way is absolutely beautiful; with it's high chandelier, intimate colour choices and exquisitely laid tables, our coats were taken by the lovely host and we were seated next to the window; how lovely and romantic considering it was snowing! The staff in here are the best at their job, from setting tables, to offering drinks, to the waitress who brought our courses to us and explained how each course was made and how Mark suggests you eat it. Our orders were taken, our wine was poured, and Colin and I immediately began chatting about our love for the place. Our aperitifs were brought out; with a beautiful shallot amuse bouche, which were thoroughly enjoyed. For my starter I ordered the crab cannelloni with smoked cauliflower custard, lemon pearls, herb butter, baby coriander and beetroot mayo, and Colin ordered the red wine risotto with hen egg. Oh God, you think you've tasted good crab before, but you've not until you've been here. The way Mark makes it it's in 2 different parts of the dish, and thought most people would eat from the top of a dish to the bottom, Mark suggests you try both simultaneously. I did, and I enjoyed. Thoroughly! Our wonderful waiting staff cleared the table, before our main courses were brought to the table. Colin had the pan roasted hake fillet, with a lobster tortellini, purple mash, fennel and dill puree and pumpkin, and I ordered the 11 hour slow roasted pork belly, with spiced fillet, pomme puree, savoy cabbage and toffee apple jus. This is without a doubt the best meal I've ever eaten. The pork was so tender and beautifully cooked, whilst the beautiful fat crackling on top was crisp and so tasty. The spiced fillet was cooked medium rare and was exquisite and everything on the plate just complimented each other so well. If all that wasn't enough, for desserts I had the broken lemon tart, with yuzu parfait, frozen shortbread, pistachio puree, compact watermelon and coconut jelly, and Colin had the chocolate fondant. I'm not a dessert eater normally, but wow. WOW. Exquisite. Must make a note of how great our wine was. I'm positive it was an Australian rosé but I'm not 100%. Wonderful though, so crispy and tangy but fruity at the same time. I had to ask our waiter to give compliments to the chef, something I've never done, because I was so impressed. Mark is an outstanding chef, and I will most definitely be back here again and again.