Drinks Archives - The Luxe List

Lauren 20th September 2016

Blackbird Bar & Restaurant*

Living in Edinburgh, you get pretty used to grey evenings, but last Friday was grimmer than most, with lashings of rain and near gale winds. So, having a booking at Blackbird Bar & Restaurant was pretty much the best way to spend an evening. Located on Leven Street, right on the way into Bruntsfield, Blackbird has been one of those places I’ve been dying to try, so when I was asked along to try out supper, I just jumped at the chance!

The interiors of Blackbird are the definition of cosiness. Split into two halves, one containing the bar, the other, tables for diners – it’s a snug little nook to tuck yourself into for the evening. The walls are original stone, whilst candles and chandeliers shimmer in corners. Despite heading in pretty early, there was already a pleasant buzz as families and couples pondered the menu.

Coming in out the rain, we fancied something light to start off with, while we decided on cocktails, so we opted on a sharing plate of Crispy Plantain Chips (£6.95) which came with guacamole and spiced yoghurt.

Sprinkled with pomegranate seeds, the chips were deliciously light and crisp, and the guacamole was just a delight! I can be rather fussy about the ‘green stuff’ but Blackbird’s was a delight – creamy and flavourful with chunks of red onion and chilli.

As we crunched through the sharing platter, our thoughts turned to cocktails – it was Friday night after all! Perhaps unsurprisingly since half the place is a bar, the drinks menu is incredible – pages of choices encompassing old favourites and new creations. We plumped for two off the ‘Long’ page – a Rhubarb and Elderflower Collins (£7) and a Spiced Pear Buck (£7). Both were perfect – icy cold, refreshing and almost juicy in flavour, I could have easy sipped on them all night!

The first of the mains we ordered was The Blackbird Steak Pie (£12.95). Served with a generous portion of twice cooked chips, this was the perfect choice for such a grim evening.

The steak pie came in it’s own little cauldron, and was a hearty mix of crisp and flaky puff pastry with a meaty and rich gravy below. Well flavoured, with huge chunks of steak – it was a hot pot of comfort!

I opted for the Sumac Crusted Chicken Breast (£11.95) which came on a bed of fried new potatoes and grilled lettuce. The chicken was moist, juicy, and absolutely huge – the sumac gave it a zesty freshness which sat well with the lime butter and vegetables. The grilled lettuce was an absolute revelation – salted and drizzled in lime butter, I’ve already copied this at home! The dish was well balanced and incredibly satisfying – just the way to end a busy work week!

Lauren 16th August 2016

Foundry 39 Edinburgh*

I’m always on the hunt for new places to go out in Edinburgh. As far as capital cities go, it’s a pretty small one, and it’s easy to lapse into a routine of old favourites when planning to meet friends, so whenever a new place pops up, I want to be the first one in the queue!

Foundry 39 has opened up in the city’s West End, a space filled with the most gorgeous of Georgian architecture, although strangely lacking in the culinary department. Happily though, the restaurant has an extensive drinks selection, as well as casual favourites including nachos and sharing platters, and a menu dominated by sourdough pizzas and gourmet burgers. Basically it’s the casual hang-out spot you’ve been dreaming about.

The interior of the restaurant is rather Pinterest-worthy too! Corners of it are dusted with copper accents and there are succulents mounted on the walls. After nestling into one of the restaurant’s many booths we got to grips with the drinks list. Our first choice was a Peach + Rhubarb Bellini (£8.25) to ease any work stresses, and it was a great choice; a mix of fruity and bubbles, it was the perfect refresher and got us ready for the fun to begin!

Then we got stuck into the good stuff – a Nachos Sharer (£7.50) which came presented on an aluminium tray let us catch up on the week’s events. I’m a big nachos fan, and really, who isn’t? Foundry’s were a generous portion of fried tortilla chips (my favourite) with hearty dollops of salsa, sour cream and Monterey Jack cheese melted over a sprinkle of jalapeños. The mix of hot and spicy chilis and salsa with the cheese and sour cream was well balanced, and they took the edge off our post-work hunger pangs.

We were both feeling absolutely ravenous, so we opted for burgers. Again, they came on an aluminium tray (a nice touch which keeps everything tidy) along with our choice of fries. Burgers and sides can be ordered separately, so you can really tailor your supper to your cravings, and if you’re feeling a bit healthy there are even salads and slaws to choose.

I opted for the Buffalo Blue Cheese & Chicken Burger (£8.95) and a portion of Sweet Potato Fries (£3.50), and I’m pleased to say, the meal was just a dream. I never normally order chicken burgers, but the promise of crispy fried chicken with lashings of blue cheese sauce was just too good to resist. The chicken was cooked perfectly – juicy on the inside and crisp and well seasoned on the coating. There was a generous schmear of blue cheese dressing which gave it a delicious hit of savoury flavour. The fries too, were just heavenly. Crispy, yet fluffy on the inside, they were the perfect mix of slightly sweet and savoury, and they were deliciously moreish.

We also opted for a more traditional order of a Cheese Burger (£7.95) with an order of House Fries (£2.50). The burger was filled with a giant patty of fresh, well seasoned beef with a generous swipe of mustard and cheese. The mix of flavours was just perfection, and it’s the definition of a good, traditional burger and fries choice, but to be honest I didn’t really get the chance to taste it – and that’s always a great sign, right!?

To accompany our mains, we thought it would only be right to sample a different choice from the drinks list, Captain Barbosa (£7.50) caught our eye. Spiced rum, Courvoisier VSOP, as well as ginger, lime juice and ginger beer was a wonderfully fresh yet boozy concoction which tipped us merrily into feeling tipsy.

I don’t tend to order dessert at restaurants – but the promise of Dark Chocolate Brownie (£5.50) was too good to resist. I’d been craving a rich, chocolatey treat for days, so my expectations were high. Happily, Foundry 39’s was a delight – a huge slap of gooey dark chocolate topped with a dollop of vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce. It was warm, rich, and incredibly satisfying!

We couldn’t leave without trying the Berry & Raspberry Ripple Sundae (£6.50) either. It is the summer after all! It was a perfect mix of rich, creamy vanilla ice-cream with fresh berries and slightly tarte compote. It was a great sharing dish, and we savoured every mouthful!

Thank you so much Foundry 39 for having us!

Lauren 18th July 2016

The Horseshoe Restaurant and Rooms*

I’d never been to Peebles properly before heading to The Horseshoe Restaurant and Rooms in Eddleston. I think I had driven through in the middle of the night on the way back up from Cheshire, but considering how close it is to Edinburgh, I’m kind of amazed and ashamed I’d never seen it in the daylight.

The Horseshoe Restaurant and Rooms in located just off the road in Eddleston is definition of picture postcard pretty. With most of the main restaurant dating back to 1862, it was originally a blacksmith’s forge and the rooms are located in a Victorian school building. It’s the cosiest of set ups, and when I found out that they even have their own kitchen garden, I was in absolute heaven!

Attention to detail is everywhere at the Horseshoe – even the planting beds are planted to supplement the kitchen. Just outside the rooms there are wild strawberries, lavender and daisies, all of which can be used either for desserts or for their wild flower displays which are sprinkled throughout the buildings.

The restaurant is possibly one of the most comfortable I’ve been in. It’s a luxe mix of golds and rich woods, with candles flickering in every corner. The sitting room and lounge, also has a beautifully large circle window which lets you sit and watch the world go by. The dining room is an intimate affair with only 10 tables which vary in size, meaning it’s easy to find a corner to tuck yourself into to enjoy your meal. We started with amuse bouche of red pepper cream with a red pepper crisp, then duck with a little foie gras. Both were rich and flavorful, setting the scene for the rest of lunch. We also tucked into some of the freshly baked breads and home-churned butter. The olive studded option was satisfyingly warm, with a light crust and springy texture.

Then we moved onto starters, and honestly, there was only one option I was going to choose – a Summer truffle risotto, king oyster mushroom and mushroom ketchup. I’m always a touch nervous opting for a heavy starter, but this one was absolutely heavenly. The rice was perfectly cooked, whilst the mushroom added texture. The cheese and truffle shavings were also a absolute revelation – they were so rich, whilst there was also a citrus element, which cut through the richness, balancing the dish.

Venison loin, black pudding, potato terrine, carrot, raspberries

Then I moved onto the main course, which was a study in rich comfort – Venison loin, black pudding, potato terrine, carrot, raspberries. I was a little apprehensive about ordering venison – I’ve not had it in years, and I’m not a fan of meat that’s overpoweringly gamey. This however was an absolute dream. The venison was melt-in-the-mouth tender, juicy, with a delicate flavour, which sat perfectly with the homemade black pudding which was rich and spicy. The raspberries cut through all the rich meat, with a pleasing tartness, whilst the chard was surprisingly sweet.

Petit Fours

After savouring every mouthful we headed back through to the sitting room and bar area for tea and petits fours. A sort of salted chocolate fudge was absolutely delicious – rich and smooth, and I’m already pondering ways of recreating it at home.

The Horseshoe is the perfect spot to while away the afternoon, delighting in food that has been thoughtfully sourced and cooked. The pairings of flavours were really incredible, and the wine list is something special too! The Horseshoe offers over 300 bottles – and keep a special eye out for resident wine expert Mark Slaney’s sourced ‘Desert’ Wines!

If you’re more in the mood for supper, they offer both an a la carte and tasting menu with accompanying wines. There are eight en-suite bedrooms which are, again, so comfy and cosy. Farrow and Ball paint, with crisp white linens mean that you can partake in some of Mark’s wine suggestions without worrying about how to get home safely.

Lunch at The Horseshoe Restaurant with Rooms starts at £20.00 for two courses and their website is here.

Lauren 16th June 2016

Beer & Burgers at Byron Lothian Road, Edinburgh*

If you’re local to Edinburgh, chances are that you’ve noticed the new Byron which has just opened up on Lothian Road. Considering how often I pop into the North Bridge location for a quick burger, you can imagine how excited I was when I was invited to try out the new restaurant, and learn all about the incredible craft beers that Byron serve.

So, we tucked ourselves up into a corner of the new restaurant (which is absolutely gorgeous by the way, all exposed brick walls and quirky details) and got ready to learn all about brews.

To be honest, I’m not the biggest beer drinker – I’ve never even ordered a pint, so it felt like perfect timing. As if a night full of beer and burgers didn’t sound great enough, there were representatives from BrewDog and Sierra Nevada to talk us through the pairings.

The night started out strong with starters of spicy buffalo wings. I’ve never really felt the need to order these before, but they were an incredible discovery. Lightly battered and covered in the pleasingly spicy and vinegary Byron Hot Sauce, we happily dunked them into the accompanying blue cheese dressing whilst learning all about Byron’s beer beginnings.

The second starter we tried was the surprisingly delicious Watermelon and Feta salad. I’m not going to lie, I’ve made this salad about three times at home already, as it’s just about the most summery dish you can imagine.

Then came the burgers; Byron served us two of their most popular from the menu – The Chilli and the Smoky. The Chilli (above) was first up, and was a rather mouth-watering amalgam of meat, jalapeños and chilli mayo. It was pretty much as hot as I can handle, but it was a nice change from my regular choice. Then came The Smoky. In something of a bad blogger move, I didn’t take a photo – but this might be a new Byron favourite (although I still miss their Bunzilla). The mix of crispy onions, bacon and BBQ sauce was divine, and I’m already planning a return trip to grab another.

To go with the burgers, we were treated to what is pretty much the most extravagant side on the menu! The Cheese and Bacon Topped fries are something of a (seriously) guilty pleasure. Not many places in the UK have cottoned onto cheesy fries, but these were pretty much perfection.

Then, as something of a surprise, we got a bowl of Macaroni Cheese. Both of us were absolutely stuffed by this point so we only really could manage a forkful, but it was everything you could hope for – melty, cheesy goodness!

We finished the evening with perhaps the most unique deserts you could imagine – bourbon spiked Irn Bru Milkshakes. Honestly, I was dubious at first – I’m not the biggest fan of the orange drink, and I would live on Byron’s Vanilla hard shakes. Happily though, these ones were a delight – not too heavy on the ‘bru, they were the perfect way to finish the evening!

If you’re in Edinburgh, I would highly recommend heading over to Byron for one of their rather delicious burgers (and of course, some of my new favourite sides). The new Lothian Road location couldn’t be more central, and it’s an absolute gem of a space! I had an absolute ball learning all about the different types of beer on the menu – it’s so refreshing to see how much effort and care they put into the menu, and who knows, I might even order one the next time I pop in!

Lauren 14th March 2016

Byron Bunzilla*

After opening earlier this year, Byron North Bridge has quickly become my favourite burger haunt in Edinburgh.

From the gorgeous restaurant itself, to the mouthwatering array of burgers, it’s one of those rare no-fail locations. No matter what your craving – burgers, killer salads or even the best milkshakes, Byron has you covered!

Whilst we debated over burger choices, we shared a plate of nachos, which was such a great choice! The tortilla chips ware warm and crispy, and there was the perfect balance of guac, salsa, jalapeños and cheese – nothing was too much or too little, and the little kick from the chilies was perfect!

Then we got onto the main event – the burgers. I decided to try Byron’s newest offering – The Bunzilla. Inspired by the head chef’s trip to Japan, the burger has quickly become a favourite of mine (I may have already gone back for another) and it’s such a unique twist, you just have to go check them out!

A bit of a take on the brand’s much loved B-Rex burger, the Bunzilla has quickly become my go-to. It’s up there as one of my favourite ever burgers thanks to the mix of soy-glazed burger patty, miso roasted bacon, an onion ring, wasabi mayonnaise and shredded white cabbage for crunch.

Cooked to Byron’s medium perfection, the burger was absolute perfection. I love the attention to detail with the accompanying homemade Japanese Pickle. The mix of flavours was absolutely divine, and I couldn’t be more obsessed with the wasabi mayonnaise. It was equally parts sweet and fiery, giving the burger a real blast of flavour.

Of course, we couldn’t just have burgers! We grabbed an order of fries and onion rings, and of course, we sampled some of Byron’s to-die-for milkshakes!

I can’t imagine a yummier way to end a meal than with one of their incredible ‘hard shakes.’ This time I tried the vanilla with a shot of bourbon. Even though I’m not the world’s biggest drinker, these are the definition of delicious!

Byron Bunzilla are available now!

Blackbird Bar & Restaurant*

Foundry 39 Edinburgh*

The Horseshoe Restaurant and Rooms*

Beer & Burgers at Byron Lothian Road, Edinburgh*

Byron Bunzilla*

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