FOOD : Don't duck this one, just waffle on about it. Duck and Waffle Edinburgh
Duck and Waffle’s arrival in Edinburgh has been highly anticipated and adds yet another London restaurant name to the growing portfolio of St James Quarter.
Duck and Waffle London is widely known for its tasty Signature Dish of Duck and Waffle but also for its endless photo opportunities and Instagrammable backdrops, cocktails and food.
So my suggestion to you is - don’t duck and miss this one, get down there so you can waffle on about it to everyone you know!
REVIEW OF DUCK AND WAFFLE EDINBURGH
Duck and Waffle has one main entrance which you’ll find located at the front of St James Quarter on Leith Street. You can’t miss the red neon sign and the red glow emanating from the striking red interior. Take the lift up and you’ll step out into a world of crazy but gorgeous mural and a copper clad tunnel that funnels you straight into the restaurant to be greeted warmly by staff and the bar.
There is also a secondary entrance, from the 4th floor of the St James Quarter, which I think many people will use if you’re driving or have been inside the centre shopping beforehand.
The interior is stupendous with bring pops of colour, loads of texture, shiny surfaces and quite a bit of visual projection which certainly keeps things interesting and your eyes peeled to whatever surface or space your eyes may land on.
Duck and Waflle have two private dining spaces but the Whisky Room is defo a favourite. It’s decorated with large portraits of the McDuck family (lol) and the walls of charred wood and copper tones give a nod to our wonderful water of life! This cosy nook can seat up to 10 people.
For this dinner, I was seated in the other private dining area called The Nest where the theme is feathers. Feathers inlaid into the tables, feather motifs around the large light fixture and panels that will semi enclose you in a space (nest) but not quite. It has views down the entire length of the restaurant and bar and can seat up to 14 people
Duck and Waffles food ethos is all about eating comfort food; food and flavours that you want to eat time and time again. A whole lot of worldly influences converge in this cooking but one thing that remains consistent is that the food is scrumptious. We tried quite a few dishes from the menu… let’s start.
Shishito Poppers (V) with chipotle mayo - a little pop of heat but meaty yet soft. A lovely appetiser.
Cheesy Polenta Croquetas with black truffle mayo. Soft, warm and a hug in a ball.
Bacon Wrapped Dates with linguica, manchago and mustard. On my gosh, please order these just do not share them. Squishy and gooey in all the right places wrapped in bacon. Freaking delish!
Hand Dived Scallop with apple, jalapeno and truffle orange dressing. I adore scallops as you know, but this took on a whole new flavour profile. The apple and truffle flavours and texture compliment this so well. Portion wise it was a little small, and I suspect that one scallop would be divided amongst 3 shells.
Seasonal Vegetables (vg) with red pepper dip, dukkah and olive oil. Batons of raw beetroot, courgette etc. Super crunchy and cold and a lovely contrast with the hot food served.
Deep Fried Haggis Bar with ox cheek, duck fat caramel and Bovril. I scrunched my nose up on reading this on the menu, but boy was I wrong. Sensational. Dunk it into the gravy and your’e in food heaven.
Charred Tenderstem Broccoli (v) with poached egg and sriracha. I didn’t like the flavours on this but I am rather fussy where and on what I eat an egg!
Porcini Mushroom Ravioli (v) with shaved winter truffle, toasted seeds, crispy cavolo nero and parmesan. Deep umami flavours of saltiness, earthiness and cheese combined with sublime textures of soft yet al dente ravioli parcels, pops of the mushrooms, crispiness from the cavolo nero and seeds. All round a fabulous winter dish.
Whole Roasted Sea Bass with lilliput capers, potatoes, beurre blanc sauce and coriander. Don’t order this if you are squeamish. This fish arrives with its head still attached and split open to reveal the sea bass fillets on either side. This dish split opinion on presentation and taste. I didn’t mind it, I just didn’t love it.
The Signature Dish of Duck and Waffle with crispy confit duck leg, fried duck egg and mustard maple syrup. Totally scrumptious! You'll never get enough of the mustard maple syrup, that glistening golden yolk, the succulent confit duck leg, nor the slightly sweet, soft yet chewy waffle.
Foie Gras Creme Brulee with pork crackling and marmalade topping served with brioche. This has to be one of the most exciting dishes on the menu. I'm not a massive fan of foie gras but this I could scoff in an instant. Crack the topping and dive into mouth watering deep umami creamy whippiness. The foie gras is softer than butter and sits atop your brioche bun like a silky goddess soaking up the limelight.
The finale was here which came in the form of two desserts. One all singing and dancing - the Baked Alaska with vanilla ice cream, blood orange, brownie and sweetmeat fudge sauce set alight tableside and the understated Torrejas with maple caramel apples and cinnamon ice cream that just slide quietly onto the table.
The Baked Alaska is impressive but for me the Torrejas was the winning dessert. Absolutely scrumptious to the core!
Cocktails and wine lists are impressive. I tried the Duck & Stormy (a take on a Dark & Stormy) delivered in a brown paper bag and the Bone Marrow Cosmopolitan that would look so pretty on any table in this place.
It’s no wonder Duck and Waffle score high on Tripadvisor, their food is creative, not only in the cooking but presentation too AND most of all it tastes as good as it looks.
The staff are great, very attentive and knowledgeable. The place definitely has a ‘special’ vibe about it and I can see it being a restaurant for special occasion dinners or that must have ‘when you want something freaking delicious’ brunch! That reminds me, I need to book!
Things to note about Duck and Waffle
Main entrance is at the front of the St James Quarter
There is a lift and therefore has disabled access
They have a few vegan and vegetarian dishes on the menu but mostly not
It is not dog friendly
Duck and Waffle, St James Quarter, Edinburgh, EH1 3AE www.duckandwaffle.com
My Spoon Award : Gold 9/10
I was invited by Duck and Waffle to review their menu. Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.