REVIEW : Angelshare Edinburgh
I love this description of Angels Share - “The angels’ share, relates to the specific amount of the distillate alcohol which year by year leaves the cask and reaches the empyrean, intoxicating the cherubs”. I can just see those chubby wee cherubs flying into each other in a fit of the giggles.
It’s fitting then, that in Scotland and in Edinburgh we have a hotel, bar and restaurant called, Angels Share and most importantly its located right next door to the new Johnnie Walker Whisky Visitor Experience!
Angles Share restaurant and bar are absolutely stunning. The long bar with those crystal chandeliers twinkling in the low light offering every boozy delight known in Scotland, a mixture of booth and table seating plus the hotel has 31 individually decorated bedrooms paying homage to some of our iconic Scots - actors, musicians and sportsmen such as Ewan McGregor, Sean Connery, Chris Hoy and Annie Lennox.
DINNER AT ANGELS SHARE RESTAURANT EDINBURGH
They serve up breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as cocktails, craft beers and of course whisky!
They have an A la Carte Menu, a Market Menu (2 courses for £13 and 3 courses for £16) as well as a Sunday Roast.
We sampled from their A La Carte menu.
Firstly, lets discuss the cocktails though.
The Highland Cooler (£9) - Caorunn Gin, St Germain, lemon juice and elderflower syrup.
Full of florals, this clear number was slightly sweet picking up on the flavours of the St Germain and the Elderflower. A lovely drink to sip.
Angels Passion (£9) - Stolichnaya Salted Karamel, Passoa, milk, cream, mango, vanilla sugar and passionfruit.
I don’t usually choose a vodka based cocktail, but the promised flavours described, suited my tastebuds to the T. Very creamy and quite lush!
Grilled Prawns (£12) with chorizo and citrus aioli.
You get the whole prawn, from head to tail! Big fat juicy prawns with plenty of meat on them. Smothered in a chorizo thick sauce with a dollop of lemon aioli. TartanSpoonie, Lotte, tucked heartily into these sweet crustaceans but said that could easily of handled a touch of heat.
Roast Beetroot (£6) with orange, hazelnut and tofu yoghurt.
I couldn’t resist the beetroot and the tofu yoghurt intrigued me. A very fresh Spring dish filled with contrasting textures and flavours. I didn’t leave a thing on the plate.
Braised Beef Cheek Bourguignon (£14) with creamed potatoes, mushrooms and pancetta
This luscious looking plate of all foodie things that’ll put a smile on any face, was freaking superb. The braised beef was super tender and fell apart and best of all, it was cooked with large onions that had soaked up the flavour and melted in your mouth. The potatoes were seriously smooth and perfectly seasoned whilst the enoki mushrooms added more earthiness and deep umami to the overall flavour.
Tweed Valley Sirloin of Beef (£24) with Roast shallot, peppercorn sauce and fries
A chunk of sirloin steak, seared and seasoned well, cooked medium. Great chips and delivered with a peppercorn sauce of superb consistency.
Grilled Leeks (£4) with pickled walnut dressing
Loved these. Chargrilled and melt in the mouth, the flavour was subtle and the combo with the dressing was spot on.
Halloumi Fries (£5) with pomegranate mayo
Cheesy and squeaky - everything you want from halloumi fries.
They have a good few vegetarian/vegan choices on the menu too like the Roast Celeriac (£13) with potato terrine, oyster mushrooms and mushroom sauce OR the Roast Aubergine (£13) with burnt onion, white bean purée and smoked paprika.
The Monkfish Tail (£18) with pancetta, cauliflower and golden raisin did make me think twice about what to order for dinner, but the Cheek won.
We had no room for dessert but you can choose dishes like the Buttermilk Panna Cotta (£5) with pineapple salsa and a coriander meringue OR the Spiced Apple Pavlova (£6) with Earl Grey and muscovado ice cream. Not sure which I would have chosen …. as both these types of desserts are in my top 3 must have desserts.
Angels Share is one of those places, that I am so glad I’ve discovered as it’s one place that I will recommend time and time again.
Angels Share, 7-11 Hope Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4EL. Tel : 0131 247 7000 www.angelssharehotel.com
My Spoon Award : Gold Spoon 9/10
I was invited by Angels Share to review their menu. Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.