FOOD - Find your way to the Little Chartroom
From the top of Leith Walk with Eleanore to Porty Prom to taking over the former Martin Wisharts Cookery School on Bonnington Road, Chef Roberta Hall-McCarron, has emerged as an unstoppable force and the nation’s sweetheart in the Scottish culinary realm. She has meticulously honed her culinary prowess in the crème de la crème of restaurants such as The Kitchin and Castle Terrace before embarking on her own epicurean journey. Ingeniously fusing traditional Scottish ingredients with cutting-edge techniques, Chef Roberta's culinary approach transcends the ordinary, delivering a symphony of flavours that tantalise the taste buds and mesmerise the eyes. A fervent advocate for sustainability, she passionately champions local producers, seamlessly reflecting her firm commitment to an authentic and comprehensive dining experience.
REVIEW OF THE LITTLE CHARTROOM, LEITH
The Little Chartroom in Leith is Roberta’s culinary playground. She takes ingredients from the wilds and waters of the Scottish landscape, guided by what is available from farmers and fishermen, to create dishes showcasing her French-British cooking techniques and passion for the best of Scottish ingredients.
The dining room is stripped back, very unassuming, but very elegant. The nod the Roberta’s enjoyment of sailing is not only evident in the restaurant name but in the sailing charts framed on the walls around the restaurant. This 30 seater restaurant provides a variety of dining options from intimate tables for 2, to larger groups to the Chef’s table.
Whilst taking this all in, 2 warm bread muffins were delivered to the table. Wafts of freshly baked bread filled the air - in my opinion, the best way to make anyone hungry!
We were treated to the 5 course tasting menu. £80pp with an option for a wine pairing at £55pp. Optional extras can be purchased.
We started with Oysters with seaweed hot sauce (additional £6), presented on a bed of salt. Nicely prepped, and ready to eat. All the flavours of the sea just spiced up a bit.
Dressed Crab with pea, grapefruit, socca and shellfish bisque (caviar additional £10). Presentation is visually pleasing, bright colours and delicate flavours.
Duck Liver Partait with smoked breast, plum and stuffed milk bun. The milk bun has a lovely surprise inside and when you tear it open the aroma is intense. This dish is packed with flavour.
Hispi Cabbage with wakame, onion and caper ketchup. Layers of earthy flavour hit you with this dish but it somehow still retains a delicateness.
You can choose from 2 mains. We had one each.
Halibut with heritage tomato, courgette flower, prawn and almond AND Lamb with merguez sausage, turnip, leek and black garlic yoghurt.
Out of the 2 dishes, we both preferred the Lamb. It was cooked to perfection, pink in the middle and soft n succulent. All the ingredients really complimented each other.
Cheese Course of Cashel Blue cheese, nectarine tarte tatin and honey vinegar (additional £13.50). The cheese was luscious, creamy and just enough ‘blue’ to give it that distinctive flavour. I would have preferred an individual tarte tatin rather then one cut in half!
Creme Fraiche Custard Tart with bramble, mint, pistachio and vanilla. Every morsel of this was demolished. Utterly divine.
The Little Chartroom has been on my radar for a while. I have tried to book at least 3 times but have had to cancel due to life and I am so glad I had the opportunity and the time to try it here. The staff are very engaging, explaining each dish and attending to every whim. It is a gem in the Capital and a dining experience worth booking.
The Little Chartroom has moved to opening 7 nights a week and have introduced a new shorter 3-course A la Carte menu (£65pp) that will sit alongside their 5 course tasting menu.
THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT THE LITTLE CHARTROOM
They can cater for allergies but they need advanced warming.
They have a strict cancellation policy so make sure you read the terms and conditions.
The restaurant is disable accessible, entrance straight off the street but there are 2-3 steps up into the main restaurant. Worth checking with them first.
Parking is on street with little parking directly outside the restaurant.
The restaurant is on a few bus routes in and around Leith.
The Little Chartroom, 14 Bonnington Road, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 5JD www.thelittlechartroom.com
My Spoon Award : Gold 9/10
I was invited by The Little Chartroom to review their menu. Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own