REVIEW : The Broughton, Edinburgh
The Phoenix is dead; this bird ain’t rising from the ashes! And a hallelujuh to that because in it’s place is an absolute gem of an eatery, The Broughton.
Located on Broughton Street in Edinburgh’s East End, this bar and eatery adds yet more gentrification to an area that is set to explode with up-marketness in the next 18 months or so with the re-opening of the St James Quarter, a few hundred yards away.
They’ve done a marvellous job and the interior is well thought out. With a raised, slightly more formal eating area, it separates the bar yet still contains an easy flow of movement around the entire space.
The colour palette is clean with hues of green and warm colours of the wood and gold enhancing the exposed brickwork. The seating is super comfy and the whole space is warm, cosy and inviting.
The Borough menu reads well. It’s a little or rather a lot posher than pub grub and the prices reflect that but they are not overpriced for what you get and are in line with other restaurants on Broughton Street.
Company Bakery Sourdough and whipped butter or East Coast Cured Salami and homemade pickles are available in the snack section, but we were hungry and wanted to get on with the main event - dinner.
Both Mr TS and I picked the same dish, but I graciously let him order it so that I could show you another dish on the menu and it didn’t disappoint.
Heritage Beetroot salad burrata cheese and hazelnuts (£7).
Gorgeous dish. I am a massive fan of these ingredients and flavours. The beetroot wasn’t pickled and was the slightly sweet, textured element on this plate. The burrata had already been burst and pooled it’s lush creaminess into a small pool in the middle. The hazelnuts toasted and crunchy.
I chose the Isle of Mull Cheddar Hash Brown with pickled apple (£7)
A hash brown but not as you know it. The hash brown stood like a tower in the centre of the dish. Upright with walls of crunchy crispiness holding in the soft centre of potatoes and onions. The wee apple balls were delightful and the brown sauce held a slight apple zing but not much.
Bloody lovely for a hash brown.
Braised Beef Feather Blade, with ‘our’ mash, roast carrot and a beetroot ketchup (£18.50)
The beef was a lush thick slab of tender meat. This was not overcooked but rather cooked well. Potato mash was silky and smooth, well seasoned and the vegetables nice.
A great plate of food that you couldn’t go wrong with.
Scottish Borders Lamb Rump with potato terrine and piperade (£18)
For me the star dish of the night. The lamb was succulent and pink - just how I love it and how it should be cooked. It had a crust on it that helped retain all those yum lamb meaty juices. The potato terrine was good; layers of pressed potato that soaked up the flavours of the lamb.
I wasn’t a fan of the piperade (a sauce of onions, peppers and tomatoes) but that’s just my own taste but I could see how it would add to the dish - texture and flavour wise.
We had to have triple cooked chips with parmesan and truffle. Freaking finger-licking delish.
Bitter Chocolate, honeycomb and ice cream (£7.50)
The bitter chocolate wasn’t that bitter (which I was happy about) and it was light as a feather. The honeycomb let it down a wee bit as it had turned to hard sugar caramel at the bottom and could have done with being smaller pieces. All in all though a really nice dessert.
Sticky Toffee Pudding with orange and clotted cream ice cream (£7)
I felt the presentation of this dish was very flat and as soon as it came to the table my hopeful expectations disappeared when I first looked at it but alas they were raised again as soon as I tasted it. Flavour on this occasion won.
The menu has plates of food that really got me excited and I’d definitely order these on a return visit :
Soy & Ginger Cured Scottish Salmon, “Asian Style" £8 (starters)
Wild Mushroom Risotto, poached egg, parmesan £14 (mains)
Blackberry Pavlova, whipped cream & lemon £7 (desserts)
Our server was Darius and what a treat to be served by him. He knew the menu, extremely helpful and friendly but not intrusive. Quick and efficient check backs after each course and all done with a giant smile.
The Broughton Bar and Eatery certainly adds another gem to the crown that is Broughton Street.
The Broughton Bar and Eatery, 46 Broughton Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3SA. Tel : 0131 556 6608 www.thebroughtonbar.com
My Spoon Award : Gold 9/10
I was invited by The Broughton to review their menu. Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.