The Glasshouse Edinburgh

We decided to try out this venue for a High Tea and the entire experience was a little surreal and underwhelming. Firstly the layout of the building is very disorienting, you enter from street level then go up in a lift to a corridor full of bedrooms, you walk about 100 yards across the building, then go back down a circular stairway from which there are several exits one of which leads to the dining area we needed two different staff to show us the way. On arrival the place was completely deserted we were the only people there. The service was initially quite good, but once the high tea had been served they dissapeared completely for about 40 minutes, so we had to wait quite a while for the stewed tea to be refreshed. The background music, while at a reasonable volume was a mixture of pop and rap music, I couldnt help noticing the lyrics I just want to die featured prominently in one of the tunes. As for the High tea, it featured just two sandwiches/savories each plus cakes, tablet and shortbread, overall the balance was far too sweet. they did also include a deep fried haggis, as much as I love haggis this really has no place in a high tea. On leaving they added a compulsory 10% service charge to the bill, rather a rip off considering there wasnt much in the way of 'service ' provided. The windowless bathroom absolutely stunk of chemical cleaner, I suspect someone had tried to clean the place by emptying an entire can of air freshener into the place. I have had many high teas in many hotels over the years and this is far and away the worst yet.

It feels a little churlish to give a poor review to a restaurant where everyone we met was charming and well presented. It's good to be in the rather stunning, outside rooftop garden and then to walk into the modern, well-presented restaurant. The problem, for me, was that the food just wasn't that great. I don't mind when places stick to what they know and do good, straightforward food, cooked well. In this case, everything sounded interesting but just didn't deliver on flavour. I know what the Masterchef judges mean now when they say that they are looking for a sauce, or a bit more sauce. The sauces were a really weak point. In a restaurant where the flavours are carefully balanced, you can be surprised at what works. Here, there was a bit too much playing with deconstruction and not enough re-construction. It's a difficult thing to do well and, frankly, they didn't. I hope it was just an off day.

Today a group of 40 members of a local society including myself went to the Glasshouse for a picnic meal on the lovely rooftop terrace though due to the weather it had to be eaten inside This would have still been enjoyable except for the standatd of the food provided and the lack of service We had a small salad which had turned brown and swimming in liquid,a soggy baguette filled with processed ham and cheese ,a quiche hard and dry ,a small wet croissant filled with egg mayonnaise and then a scone so hard and heavy our teeth were at risk This is a five star hotel and this is not acceptable Complaints had no effect except one table who then received much better food When we asked what the other tables were not offered the same we were told You didn 't complain as much This added insult to injury Shame on you Glasshouse management dealing with the silver surfers in such a way

The gluten free sandwiches were dry and poor fillings, one had slice of processed cheese and spam. On complaining, I was offered a salad, which finally arrived and comprised huge mound of rocket, basil and half cherry tomatoes and a few balls of cheese. All for £25, so after further complaint I got fruit salad. For this price I had half a dry sandwich, a piece of chocolate and a stale salad, plus some fruit. I was not alone and the rest had a normal afternoon type tea, no one could eat scones as stale, the side salads were dry, clearly old, and most didn't even try their sandwiches. For 5 star, this was appalling. The manager was informed but never deigned to come to.our table. Felt sorry for servers as they did their best.

We booked afternoon tea for three at the Glasshouse, mum and two grown-up daughters. On entering the hotel we were taken to the lift and then had to find our own way down a long corridor to the bar area to wait to be taken down to the restaurant a walk down another long corridor) As we were a party of three we could not get a table with a view of Carlton Hill which was disappointing. We had quite a wait before our tea order was taken and also had specified in our booking that two of our party would be taking the menu that included a glass of Prosecco. Others seemed to be offered this straight away but we had to ask and when it was still not forthcoming had to ask again and even then they brought 3 glasses instead of the two ordered. Putting that aside the food was very good with a Scottish theme yes, haggis is included, and very good it was too), not small dainty sandwiches but good filling savouries; the croque monsieur was especially tasty. The pastries again were a good size.The scones were full size but nothing special and the jam came in hotel breakfast small jars. However we were so full from the savouries that we could not eat everything and asked for a doggie bag which was no problem. A plus was being able to visit the roof garden before leaving. It really is a must. I would say that it represented good value for money compared to other afternoon teas due to the quality and portion size) of the food.