Just over an hour on the train from Dennistoun and we glide into Waverley Station. Train tickets between Glasgow and Edinburgh should be cheaper, but it remains a convenient commute. There’s more of a disconnect between the food and drink scene in the two cities than there should be. We should hang-out more.
Brewhemia is a comfortable place for craft beer immediately beside the station. It’s got that tourist attraction veneer but when you get past that, there’s lots of excellent local and other Scottish brews to enjoy.
A walk beyond that and you are in the midst of the Royal Mile. We turn away from the castle and head downhill to Surf & Turf Holyrood, the dining concept from Macdonald Hotels.
The menu plays to Scotland’s strengths, bringing together outstanding steak and fresh seafood. In terms of ingredients, that’s as good as you can get from the Caledonian natural larder.
Macdonald Holyrood Hotel has a modern, comfortable feel in Edinburgh’s Old Town, close to the Scottish Parliament building. It recently celebrated its 20th anniversary.
In terms of the menu, there are some interesting seafood plates that combine flavours from Eden Mill gin.
We choose the Scottish hand-picked scallops which were plump, well-presented and expertly cooked. A pot of mussels added another taste of the sea.
For the main event you can select from a variety of 32-day aged steak, choosing from different cuts and weights, adding in other elements like langoustines, lobster tail or garlic mushroom.
350g of steak is probably enough for anyone, but for real Rab Ha’ appetites, there are 1000g cuts available.
Further customisation involves salt rubs for the steak, sides and sauces. You end up with a tailor-made meal full of glorious local produce.
Dessert provides sweet notes to top things off – order the crème brûlée. Take advice from the bar when it comes to wine and cocktail selection.
A casual weeknight holiday in Edinburgh for a few hours with a tour de force of Scottish cooking, and then back on the last train home.
81 Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8AU
Phone: 0344 879 9028