Purslane Restaurant.....33a St Stephen Street, Stockbridge, Edinburgh

Ralph's not been as excited for some time as he was when he discovered Purslane Restaurant in Edinburgh's fashionable Stockbridge (ok to be fair I did get a new pull rope earlier this week) who are offering a 'casual' fine dining experience for nothing like fine dining prices.  

The restaurant has a casual feel with no dress code or formality as they want the customer to feel relaxed at all times. Front of house are friendly, approachable and are happy to deal with any questions or requests. The food takes on the fine dining element showcasing local produce with a mix of old and new techniques using worldwide influences.




They feel strongly about the seasonality of the ingredients that are used in order to to ensure the best quality. 

They've tried to source most of their suppliers in the local area and around 80% are based in the Stockbridge area in the hope that it'll bring a sense of community to the restaurant and also help fellow small businesses. 


Chef Patron Paul Gunning has experience working in five star hotels, 2-3 rosette and Michelin starred restaurants, working under chefs like Marco Pierre White (Riverroom MPW), Jeff Bland (Balmoral, Number 1), Phil Thompson (Auberge Du Lac) and the classy Jean Michel Gauffre (La Garrigue). 



He's ably assisted by Craig Smith who also has experience working in 2-3 rosette restaurants most notably the outstanding Seafood Restaurant in St. Andrews working for Craig Campbell Millar, and Peter Griffiths back in the Midlands. 


In 2009, Craig took part in BBC`s Masterchef the Professionals where he made it through to cook for Ralph's mate Michel Roux Jr` (OK had you going for just the teeniest moment). 

This is his first Head Chef position and has the drive and enthusiasm about food to produce great dishes.

Purslane have just celebrated their first anniversary and look like going on from strength to 

strength as they're quickly establishing themselves as one of The top eating destinations (they're only a sniff away from being in the top 50 on Trip Advisor) in Edinburgh.  Friday's and Saturdays' they offer a seven course tasting menu at a fraction of the cost that some restaurants (not too far away) charge for six courses but still manage to deliver an above and beyond level of quality and service.

Purslane Restaurant

33a St. Stephen Street 
Stockbridge, Edinburgh 
EH3 5AH 

T: +44 (0)131 226 3500 
E: @purslanerestaurant.co.uk

Purslane Restaurant - Edinburgh's Casual Fine Dining - Click here for bookings

The Tapas Bar St Helens

The blog is fully interactive so please feel free to click on coloured text links or hover over the photo's to take you to related sites, enjoy.....

Now you might think that finding somewhere in 
St Helens to enjoy a relaxing evening in stylish surroundings, with a great choice of food that'll remind you of the night you spent in Quimet i Quimet tapas bar in Barcelona is out of the question.....well you'd be wrong! The recently opened Tapas Bar St Helens offers an authentic taste of Spanish tapas in stylish surroundings that will have you coming back for more.....and more!  

It's the ideal place to relax after work with a cold beer or a warming Rémy Martin.....and if you're celebrating that really special occasion why not splash out on a bottle of Dom Pérignon.





There's a selection of over 20 tapas dishes on offer plus a specials board, along with a wide range of wines, spirits, specialty coffees, cocktails and some of the best home-made sangria this side of the Mediterranean.


Beer on tap includes Mahou, a Spanish beer brewed in Madrid, medium gold in colour with a clean nose of orange, rich malt and a slightly nutty note and sipping it reminds you of sitting in a Spanish square in the early evening as the sun sets.



Tapas dishes available include....

Tuna & Patatas
Garlic Mushrooms
Patatas Bravas
Potato Salad 
Vegetarian Paella 
Pork Paprika
Peri Peri Chicken
Choritzo Stew
Spicy Black Pudding
Meatballs
Rabbit in Garlic
Chicken Kebabs
Chilli
Beef Stifado
Chicken in Tarragon
Seafood Cocktail
Prawns in Chilli and Garlic
Calamari
Spare Ribs
Choritzo in Red Wine & Paprika
Traditional Paella
Lamb Koftas
Boquerones








If you fancy a light bite then try the fresh bread with the best homemade Aioli I've tasted in a long time.  All the food is cooked fresh daily including the dishes on the specials board.

So if you're planning a special night, treating the family or just want to relax with a drink or a coffee and friendly chat then Tapas Bar St Helens is the place for you.....open from 12 - 12 every day.

St Helens Feature.....Part 1

As a relative newcomer to St Helens, Ralph has decided to take a walk around and feature some of the venues, businesses and community life that are available and that make St Helens the place to be.....Now the obvious starting place is Langtree Park but seeing as Ralph likes his music it's got to be The Citadel Theatre.  

The Citadel building has a fascinating history, and is today rated by the Theatre Trust of Great Britain an extremely rare survivor of the early British music hall.  The building which is home to The Citadel today was originally constructed in 1861. It was commissioned by a local solicitor, Mr Thomas Haddock and was designed by architects E Beattie & Sons. In 1861 the building stood opposite a school and surrounded by rows of Victorian terrace houses.  It's gone through several guises since and opened in it's current format in 1988.  



In 2009 The Citadel celebrated its 21st birthday. In that time they had achieved an awful lot. This anniversary provided an ideal time to highlight their reputation for being the place to come and see something extraordinary, engaging and emergent, with past performers including Candy Staton, The Verve, Kiki Dee, Midge Ure, Geno Washington, The Stone Roses, Oasis, Peter Kay, Dave Spikey, John Bishop, Alan Carr, Paul O Grady, Happy Mondays, The Bluetones, Nine Below Zero, Ralph McTell, Wishbone Ash, Jah Wobble, Hazel O'Connor, Dr Feelgood, Rich Hall, Sean Hughes, Jo Brand and Jenny Éclair to name but a few.

Today The Citadel is as vibrant as ever and providing an eclectic array of talent.  Find out what's on at The Citadel here..... 





Now if you've been to a show then why not pay The Pacifica-Cantonese Restaurant a visit.....

They have taken the most well-known and popular dishes from parts of China and adapted the various styles to their own recipes and created an extensive A la Carte Menu.  The combination of Dim Sum, a great choice of vegetarian dishes and classics mixed with the more unusual waft temptingly past you. A delicious menu, cool relaxed interiors and efficient service. The Pacifica-Cantonese has staked its claim as a premier destination restaurant in this buzzing part of town. Still looking to finish off your night?  Then head to The Zoo Bar where you can hit the dance floor 'til the early hours of the morning.   ★★★ It's FRIDAY!!! ★★★ They're open until 3am TONIGHT!!! ★★★ Playing Chart, Indie, Dance, R&B, Classics and all your big party tunes! ★★★ ★★★ IT'S SATURDAY!!! ★★★ Open until 3am ♪ ♫ ♩ ♬ Playing Chart, Indie, Dance, R&B, Classics and all your big party tunes! ♪ ♫ ♩ ♬ PLUS Zoo Lounge - A touch of class mixed with funky world beers!

Mariachi.....Authentic Mexican food in Edinburgh's Old Town

There are any number of Mexican Restaurants in Edinburgh and out of the many I've visited very few can actually live up to their boast of 'authentic Mexican cooking'. 


The food in Mariachi on Victoria Street by The Grassmarket on the other hand is as authentic as any I've had south of San Francisco, and that includes Casa Guadalajara in San Diego.




Mariachi is a family run restaurant which has been in business for over ten years and a favourite of mine at Festival time as it would have to be exceptionally busy for the ever pleasant staff not to find you a table.


They are committed to sourcing the finest quality ingredients and their food represents many of the different styles of Mexican cooking, whether it be traditional 'family style' home-cooked or street food or the more stylish 'Californian' favourites such as Burritos, Nachos and  of course the ever popular sizzling Fajitas.





They also stock a wide range of imported Mexican beers, Premium Tequilas and mix a mean cocktail!

So if it's for a celebration, a family meal, a romantic rendezvous or just to wind down after a hard day at the office why not let the staff at Mariachi take care of you.




 

Don't take my word for it, here's some reviews from the mighty Trip Advisor.....

“Excellent service & Fantastic food”

Reviewed 2 October 2012

This photo of  Mariachi 
is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Visited here on Sat night, we were a group of 9, each one of us were impressed with the food and the service and left there feeling very happy, we all had something different, personally I had the Fajitas and they were the best I have ever tried. Would definately recommend it if you are looking for a nice Mexican...More 

“Fantastic food and service”

Reviewed 5 October 2012

This photo of Mariachi
is courtesy of TripAdvisor

I recently visited Edinburgh with a large group of friends. We were slightly worried about dining out due to our vast numbers, however Mariachi were very accommodating and provide us with excellent food and service. We were all very impressed with the excellent authentic Mexican fare, and I couldn't get enough of the grilled steak burrito. Our meals were washed...
More 

                                                            Mariachi Christmas Menu 

                                               Three course dinner              £22pp 

                                    

                                                       Three course lunch (before 5pm)    £16pp

Starters

nachos

corn torillas / pickled jalapenos / white cheddar / salsa pico de gallo / sour creme

buffalo wings

jumbo chicken wings / chipotle chile / bar-b-que glaze

ceviche

lime-cured fish (ask for today’s choice) / onion / cilantro / fresh jalapeno / tomato

chiles rellenos

whole japaleno peppers / cream cheese / coriander/ garlic / crispy batter (HOT!)

Mains

enchiladas roja

marinated chicken or roasted vegetables

rolled, soft corn tortillas / rancheros sauce / cheese / sour creme

chimichanga

marinated chicken or slow cooked chilli beef

deep fried flour tortilla parcel / cheese / salsa pico de gallo / sour creme

soft tacos

marinated chicken or bbq pulled pork

white corn tacos / shredded lettuce / salsa roja / sour creme 

fajita

chicken breast, grilled steak or vegetables

sizzling platter / peppers / onion / mariachi seasoning / sour creme / cheese/ jalapenos / salsa roja

chili con carne

spiced, slow cooked, scottish beef mince / mexican rice / sour creme

chicken breast

garlic and lime marinated chicken breast / mexican rice / mixed leaf salad

steak £4 supplement

10oz aged scottish sirloin / potato wedges / mixed leaf salad

Dessert

key-lime cheesecake

with raspberry coulis and sorbet

warm chocolate pudding

with vanilla ice cream and raspberry coulis

ice cream

vanilla / chocolate / raspberry

sorbet

lemon / raspberry / mango 

If you have any special dietary requirements please ask your server for advice before ordering.

Please note a 10% service charge will be added at your discretion.

Call them on..... 

01316230077

Mon	Open	5pm - Late
Tues	Open	5pm - Late
Wed	Open	5pm - Late
Thu	Open	5pm - Late
Fri	Open	12 Noon - Late
Sat	Open	12 Noon - Late
Sun	Open	2pm - 10pm

Vicars Cafe Bistro.....Social Enterprise at it's best.....

Having looked at the Saltaire Festival last year one of the local eateries took my eye.  Vicars Cafe Bistro is a busy cafe in the very heart of the famous Saltaire World Heritage site which is run with a Christian outlook and a vision to serve the community, aiming to encourage people to look at Christianity in a different light and recently it achieved Social Enterprise status (businesses whose prime purpose is social, who operate ethically and are democratically owned and governed).





Alongside the busy Café they run an evening Bistro on Fridays and Saturdays. A selection of seasoned dishes (including meat, fish, and vegetarian options) are available, with a menu which changes on a monthly basis. From a table for one to a group of 24, they can cater to your needs so if you’re planning a celebratory meal out, why not choose Vicars?

If you're looking for a recommendation for any eatery then what more could you ask for than a visit from a Michelin Star chef.....Alan Murchison visited the cafe back in May and cooked up a storm.

He's executive chef of L'Ortolan, a restaurant in Shinfield near Reading with a Michelin star, three AA rosettes and 8/10 in The Good Food Guide.

As Managing Director of 10 in 8 Fine Dining Group, he's set himself a goal to open 10 Michelin star restaurants by 2018.  






They host several group events in the Red Room Lounge, such as the popular weekday Mum and Baby Groups, ‘Knitterati’ knitting sessions, and weekend Storytelling group 'Tell Me Another' . The Red Room is also available for local artists to exhibit their work, and the space is available to hire for events. They proudly continue to support the efforts of local events and groups such as the Arts Trail and Saltaire Festival.



They support the Red Fund a charity working to aid HIV and Aids in Zimbabwe.  As much as possible their goods are sourced locally or Fair Trade with cakes baked on site and food prepared fresh for each customer.  They are always keen to hear new ideas of how to create community within the area.

As a Cafe they are open Monday, Wednesday - Saturday between 10-5pm. And as a 5 course meal Bistro on Friday and Saturday nights from 7:30pm ..... (booking is essential for the evenings).  

So if you're local or just visiting, nip in for a cuppa and a chat, find out what they're about or even join in, they'll be more than pleased to see you.

Cups Tearooms, Scrabster.....a long way to go for a cuppa but well worth it!

How far would you go for a nice cuppa?  Well there's one thing for sure you can't go much further North and find a better cafe than Cups in Scrabster.  It's a quirky little place on Scrabster harbour. Inspired by the tearooms of old, they offer a real taste treat with the very best homemade cakes, scones, sandwiches and soups washed down with speciality teas from Brewhaha and freshly ground coffee from Brodies.

They use time tested family recipes which have been handed down through generations, but like to add a modern twist. They love to talk 'cake' so if you're a keen baker be ready to share your thoughts and ideas!  Ralph's passing on his White Chocolate Torte recipe.  You'll find them nestled into the side of the cliff in the port of Scrabster in Caithness. 





They consider themselves to be so lucky to be able to offer you a warm welcome in the little old village chapel, a truly beautiful building.

Only a couple of minutes walk from the Orkney Ferry, it's worth a stop to whet your whistle before your trip to the Orkney Islands. They have a super selection of old fashioned boiled sweets, pop some in your pocked for the journey! Or take an ice-cream to eat whilst you stroll to the terminal.

How about this for a
wedding cake with
a difference.....

Ros trained in cake decorating at the Paul Bradford Sugarcraft School and has a talent for creating wonderfully unique celebration cakes. She has produced many birthday and wedding cakes, each to her customers' individual specifications. There really isn't much she can't do, just take a look at the photo!

So why not consider a custom-created cake from Cups for your next celebration? Pop in and see them for a quote and to discuss your ideas.

What do do around Scrabster.....many thanks to Northlink Ferries for the info.

Visit a Castle - Only 12 miles from Scrabster is the Castle of Mey - the summer residence of the Queen Mother. A beautiful building, the Castle of Mey has much to offer the visitor, including a two acre garden, a tearoom and an animal centre. There are also many spectacular castle ruins in Caithness, including Castle SinclairGirnigoe which rests precariously on crumbling cliff formations!

Go to the beach or enjoy the scenery - the road along the north coast has some fantastic beaches, tiny harbours and beautiful scenery at Melvich, Strathy, Bettyhill, Armadale, The Kyle of Tongue and Durness. Taking this road will also lead you to the most north westerly point on the British mainland, Cape Wrath.

Reach the end of the road - Though the most northerly point in mainland Britain is nearby Dunnet Head, John O' Groats is one end of the longest distance between two points on the British mainland. The other point, of course, is Land's End. Many charity cycle runs or walks begin and end here. The village takes its name from Jan de Groot, a Dutchman who obtained a grant to run a ferry between the Scottish mainland to Orkney.

Enjoy some Retail Therapy - There are many lovely shops to visit in Thurso and Wick, both a short drive from Scrabster. On the outskirts of Wick is a new Retail Park which has a Tesco, Homebase, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Pets at Home, Argos, New Look, Superdrug, and a CarpetRight.

View or do some surfing - Caithness waters are famed for big, fast and powerful waves. Thurso Bay, Dunnet Bay, Sinclairs Bay, Freswick Bay, Murkle Bay, Brims Ness, Sandside Bay, Melvich Bay, Strathy Bay, Armadale Bay, Farr Bay and Torrisdale are all recommended spots for surfers.

Do some bird watching - Caithness has a stunning natural landscape perfect for birds. A wide range of bird species are attracted to the bog filled, peaty landscapes of Caithness and also to the wild sea cliffs. RSPB reserves such as those at the cliffs of Dunnet Head and in the blanket bog and lochan country of Forsinard are particularly recommended.

Visit a museum - In the centre of Thurso is an excellent new museum, Caithness Horizons, which is definitely worth a visit. With free admission, Caithness Horizons offers a fascinating insight into the history, pioneering industrial past, wildlife and ecology of Caithness. The story of Dounreay - which shaped the recent economy and history of Caithness – is also featured.

Catch a fish - Caithness has some of the best Trout and Salmon fishing lochs and rivers in Scotland, including Loch Watten, Loch Calder, St John's Loch, Loch Heilen, Loch Toftingall, Wick River and Thurso River. Sea Anglers will enjoy fishing in the Pentland Firth which is home to haddock, wrass, ling and pollock. Harbour walls and rocks in Thurso Bay, Dunnet head, Longberry, Broadhaven, Sandigoe and Helman Head are ideal spots.

Have a game of golf - Caithness has many Golf Courses - maintained with enthusiasm by local golfers. Although some courses are quiet short, all are considered quite challenging, due to the terrain and weather. In Caithness you will experience golf courses populated with wildlife and wild plants, in a wild and natural setting, which is retained and cherished. Try Reay Golf Club, Thurso Golf Club, Wick Golf Club, Lybster Golf Club for challenging and rewarding golf for all ages and abilities.

Go hill walking - Caithness and Sutherland have a stunning landscape which offers superb choice for walkers. Walks along the coast to see dramatic cliff scenery, or inland to see castles and broches, are recommended. For hill walkers, the most northerly of the Munros, Ben Hope is found in Caithness, and on the border of Caithness and Surtherland are the famous hills, Morven and Maiden Pap. Aside from stunning views, walkers can expect to see deer, buzzards and eagles.