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Edinburgh Live
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
We tried Edinburgh's bougie new taster menu that won't break the bank
There's nothing like dining out with a loved one in a bougie restaurant, although admittedly they can feel a touch inaccessible for a lot of us in the capital. The price of a tasting menu or gastronomic experience can often leave the eyes watering and a sour taste in the mouth. So when you find a spot which offers delicious food with warm service and a below astronomical bill - it is worth taking notice. That is exactly what my wife and I stumbled upon when we headed to check out the new dining experience 'The Court x Mark Greenaway' at The Caledonian. Situated in Edinburgh's West End, the hotel is well recognised for welcoming a plethora of famous stars through its doors, from Charlie Chaplin and Elizabeth Taylor, to the late Queen Elizabth II and former US President Barack Obama. This will come as no surprise for those who have entered the historic West End building; guests and visitors are greeted by a luxurious regal interior, and as you walk into the restaurant, you are transported back in time to when the building was home to a train station. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. Inception-like, The Court is overlooked by a building which is inside a building, and the facade from the former travel hub is visible as you sit down and tuck your napkin in. But lets get down to the brass tax, the cost of the meal: the six-course progression tasting menu comes in at £65 per person with an additional £40 wine pairing per person. Granted this will leave a bit more of a dent in your wallet than a run of the mill eatery but, in my experience, this is extremely reasonable for a tasting menu - especially when you consider the quality on offer. After taking a seat, we were talked through the experience by the amazing waiting staff who were attentive all night. My pregnant wife was offered the nosecco while I cracked on with the first round of the wine pairing in the name of journalistic research - someone had to do it. My personal marker for getting off to a good start in plush restaurants is always 'how good is your bread and butter?' and The Court did not disappoint. They have this pistachio butter that is to die for, accompanied by a lovely mound of bread. The first dish was the Scottish crab raviolo made with smoked cauliflower custard, lemon pearls, herb butter and baby coriander. I always thought I hated crab because I'd only ever tried the cheap crab sticks served at my English family's parties - how wrong I was, the dish was divine. At school I would always go for the Benny's soup and sandwich out of the now closed delicatessen on St John's road, it was an absolute bargain and the coronation chicken was a real winner. So you can imagine my joy when the next course was announced as the 'soup & sandwich.' But rather than some carrot and coriander with an overfilled cheap chicken filling from Benny's, this was something they would have served in Versailles before peasants stormed Bastille. Pea velouté, Paris Brest, blue cheese mousse and the maple gel, all came together superbly. As we awaited the third course, the pair of us were in great spirits with the first two dishes hitting all the right notes, however our excitement was rather short-lived. Like a typical Scot, a salad can often make the hairs on my neck stand up, but this was something entirely different in appearance even if similar in sustenance. The Chilled Summer Vegetable Garden dish made up of savoury squash custard, pickled celeriac, broad beans, truffle dressing and walnut mayonnaise, looked impressive - but all was not as it seemed. The contents looked like something a trust fund Hampton lacrosse bro would put in his blender to make a hangover-curing smoothie. The truffle dressing and walnut mayonnaise were the only things which saved the dish for me, but psychologically, I could not get over the feeling I was eating cold, congealed soup. We were eager for the half-time whistle at this stage, we had started first off strong but were in need of a breather and time to regroup. When the fourth course arrived, we were raring to go and hit the ground running. The Cod & Lobster accompanied by a choux bun-like 'Hot Dog' was quirky and really enjoyable. The main dish was one of the nicest I've eaten at a tasting menu. The broth accompanying the cod and lobster was other worldly and tasted like it had been crafted by the gods themselves. For me, this is the best dish on the progression menu. The fifth was another pearler, with Mark Greenway pulling out all the stops, as the 11 Hour Slow Roasted Clash Farm Belly Pork ticked all the right boxes. Biting into the pork, you had the crunch before being met by the soft, slow-cooked centre. All of it was married together miraculously by a toffee apple jus. The plate was accompanied by a tasty pork cheek pie which on its own was not up to much but was vastly improved by a dip in the aforementioned jus. Last but by no means least, and after unbuckling a couple of notches on the belt, we were treated to the sweet treat, the Chocolate 'Box.' A devilish sponge with dark chocolate and raspberry companions, it was the perfect way to end an extremely enjoyable evening. The wines were all to my liking, bar the crisp, dry white which accompanied the first dish, but the one that stole the show was an incredible German Riesling addition which hit all the right spots midway through. Throughout our evening we were not only treated to inventive, satisfying and sublime food, but also an angelic like harpist and live music from an old school duet. It is the ideal setting to impress that workplace crush or to take the breath away from your bride of many summers on a special occasion. We will certainly be back. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox On the progression tasting menu, Mark Greenaway said: 'The Court offers something very special. Since the investment within this new food and drink destination, we have been working hard, collaborating behind the scenes, and getting Mark Greenaway at The Court ready for our upcoming launch day on the first of May. 'In celebration of Scotland's new Spring produce, and inspired by my most recent cookbook, Progression, we will be offering a signature A la Carte menu, alongside an amazing six-course Tasting Menu which we will be changing every six to seven weeks, depending on what is available and in-season. The menus will be uber seasonal and utilising the amazing Scottish produce that we have on our doorstep.' To make a booking, simply visit The Court – The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton website here.
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Scotsman
30-04-2025
- Scotsman
I had Sunday lunch at one of Edinburgh's top hotels and it was a luxurious experience
The Caledonian Hotel, often affectionately called The Caley, is one of Edinburgh's most impressive and historic hotels. Located at the west end of Princes Street, the hotel has been a prominent part of the city skyline since it opened in 1903. Originally built as part of the Caledonian Railway Company's grand station complex, the hotel served as a luxurious destination for travellers arriving by train. Its entrance was once adjacent to the ornate railway terminus, remnants of which can still be seen today, including the original station clock and part of the façade. Designed in a grand Edwardian style, the building reflects the opulence and ambition of the early 20th century railway age. The architecture features distinctive red sandstone and a commanding view of Edinburgh Castle. For decades, The Caledonian catered to the elite, including royals, celebrities, and politicians. Its position and prestige made it the centerpiece of hospitality in the Scottish capital. Following the closure of the Caledonian Station in the 1960s, the hotel remained and was preserved as a heritage site. It continued to operate under various ownerships and underwent extensive refurbishments to maintain its luxury status. Today, the Caledonian combines Edwardian charm with modern luxury. The hotel stands as a living monument to Edinburgh's railway history and remains a premier destination for visitors seeking both elegance and tradition. We visited to experience the grandeur of The Court, formerly the station concourse and ticket office. Recently renovated as the social hub of the hotel, this is where you will find a Sunday lunch menu that's one of the myriad of reasons why The Caledonian continues to be a dining destination in Edinburgh. Here's a closer look at what we experienced one sunny Sunday in Scotland's capital city. 1 . The Court at The Caledonian Hotel The main event. The star of the show. The real deal. I've had beef Wellington many times before but this is the finest example of the showstopper dish I've encountered in the wild, and the most visually impressive. I'll return to this subject once we've had a look at the starters. | PT Photo Sales 2 . The Court at The Caledonian Hotel Beef before beef? Yes please, when it is warm, aromatic, braised and served on sourdough with watercress and black truffle. A formidable start to any Sunday lunch. Pairs remarkably well with a cold, crisp, dry vodka martini from the bar. | PT Photo Sales 3 . The Court at The Caledonian Hotel If you were wondering what the bar looks like, its one of the key focal points of the room, a stylish spot to enjoy a drink within The Court setting. Today they have a harpist providing a musical accompaniment to our martinis. Other days there may be a live jazz band or a piano player. | PT Photo Sales 4 . The Court at The Caledonian Hotel Our other choice from the starters was delicate, attractive and bursting with Scottish flavour. Campbell's smoked salmon, shallots, crème fraîche and croutons. Simple but utterly beguiling as a starter in any circumstances. Particularly suited to the Caledonian grandeur of The Court. | PT Photo Sales
