Archives for “Edinburgh” tag

I have to confess that I walked past the National Library pretty much every day for ten years before I went inside – I had no idea what I was missing out on!

As well as being the largest library in Scotland they host a range of exhibitions relating to their collections, and all of them are free. There is an eclectic mix of topics from movies to maps, and other things that don’t begin with m. None of the exhibitions are huge; it only takes an hour or so for a wander around.

My favourite bit of the library though is their events. A couple of evenings a week there are free lectures between 18:00 and 19:00 on a wide range of topics, some tie into the exhibitions on the go and others to various history months or topical events.

I love getting to hear experts discuss their chosen topics and learning a little bit more about history or current affairs – it is fantastic opportunity to experience something new, whether it is the future of the free press in Scotland or the history of American presidential inauguration speeches.

There is also a lovely wee café and book shop inside to take a break after exploring the exhibitions.

The Library is just off the Royal Mile, so most visitors, like I used too, wander right past without realising the treats contained inside.

I came across Holyrood 9A during festival a couple of years ago when I was looking for somewhere good to eat, that wasn’t going to break the bank. It has now become a regular stop year round.

Holyood 9A is in the perfect location for a bite to eat pre or post-show at the Pleasance in August and, a great place to while away an evening the rest of the year sampling their extensive beer and burger selection.

Although the menu also offers steaks and salads there is really only one thing to order – a burger, there are 20 different types on offer. They come in a sour dough bun with delicious red cabbage slaw and stringy fries as standard, or you can opt for a brioche roll and different kinds of fries, including my favourite – sweet potato fries.

What sets Holyrood 9A apart from a lot of other burger places in town is the range of ever changing beers from all over the world. They offer a fun tasting option too where you can try 1/3 pint of any of the draught beers for £1.

Their breakfasts are pretty great too, and a good deal for a Scottish breakfast in a pub so close to the Royal Mile.

Whatever you order just make sure you save space for the Sticky Toffee Pudding.

At the entrance to Golden Hare is a P.J. O’Rourke quote, ”Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it” and that is exactly what the shop offers.

Golden Hare is a quaint bookshop in the Grassmarket, an area more known for drunken tourists than sophisticated shops. They have a selection of fact and fiction, classic and modern books as well as a children’s section. It is not a huge collection but the books are hand-selected by the staff and they’re all beautiful editions that seem wasted hiding on bookshelves.

Most recently I have spotted a collection of Ian Fleming’s James Bond books with beautiful Saul Bass inspired front covers, very Mad Men-esque. They are the sort of book that even if you have a copy already; you may just have to buy a second edition.

They also have fun posters and knick-knacks with literary connections such as posters of classic book covers.

There is a book group about once a month that you can sign up to in the store and the shop sometimes runs author events which are advertised on their webpage.

I find it impossible to nip in and out to pick up a book; if I go in I commit a good chunk of time for browsing the shelves, chatting with the staff and talking myself out of not buying all of the books I pick up.

A wine bar and restaurant that also has daily live music, Divino Entoeca has a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere, where my biggest problem is working up the motivation to leave. In the winter they have a fireplace and comfy sofas inside and in summer, if we ever get such a thing in Scotland, there is a terrace to try and catch a few minutes of sun.

The extensive wine list is overwhelming but the staff are more than willing to provide recommendations, on more than one occasion members of staff have sat with us to discuss the wine or food choices. I love trying their different wine flights – there are a variety of options for different tastes and price ranges.

More recently they have introduced a cocktail menu although I haven’t tried it yet. Most of the classics are there, some with an unusual twist, I’ve already been eyeing the Lemon Grass Mojito for my next visit.

There are a few menus available, with some overlap between offerings. The wine bar menu offers a more limited choice but is perfect for a bowl of pasta or snacks. All menus are typically Italian, with a focus on quality produce. The antipasto is a personal favourite and more than enough to enjoy between two people while tasting a couple of glasses of wine, just make sure you save space for the tiramisu!

Located in the centre of the old town, Divino Entoeca is great escape from the crowds without leaving the city.

Previously known as Monster Mash Café, this old-school Edinburgh diner is not much to look at – but first impressions aren’t everything. For the best of traditional British comfort food, this is the place to go.

A simple menu of standard British meals is supplemented by an amazing selection of sausage and mash of the day, the options seem never-ending! On the main menu, the steak pie is the best I’ve tried in Edinburgh. All the food is sourced as locally as possible, with an eye on top quality – this is not the bland food folk expect in the UK.

The service is excellent; staff will go out of their way to provide guidance on the menu options, or recommendations of drinks to match your meal. While the wine selection may be from further afield, there is a great range of local beers and ciders – the more authentic way to wash down your meal.

To add to the old-school British atmosphere, there are classic cartoons on the TV, or copies of the Beano and Dandy, classic children’s comics, to browse. If you’ve never tried them, you must try the black jack and fruit salad sweets that come with your bill. And make sure you don’t miss the Union Jack toilet!

Located near the University, Mums is in a great location for the Fringe festival or the National Museum. And, with most main courses under £10, it offers a true taste of British food at a reasonable price.