Claire and I managed to go for a rare meal out last Saturday and we chose La Garrigue in Edinburgh.
The location was central, and we started with a quick drink at The World's End pub on the Royal mile before the 2 minute walk to the restaurant.
The restaurant itself was cosy and inviting, and the staff were attentive. We were offered an A la Carte and Table D'hote menu. We decided on the A la Carte menu. I started with the "La soupe de poissons comme pour George" [Fish soup] which was rich and full-bodied (although a little gritty at the bottom - a sign that the shellfish needs to be washed more carefully?) and followed this with Le fillet de boeuf grillé, jardinière de légumes [beef fillet] which was fantastic - both tasty and tender.
Claire had a wood pigeon salad to start, followed by "Le cassoulet aux trois viandes". Cassoulet is a classic French dish - and this one was special. A delightful mixture of pork, lamb, duck, Toulouse sausage and beans. Seriously tasty.
We both finished with the cheese selection which included a blue cheese, a goat's cheese and (I believe) a Ewe's milk cheese, and one more (although I forget what that was). We both had to have the cheese given the recommendation that came with the main course menu: "Cheese lovers, you want us to serve our products at the right temperature; please assist us to do so by ordering your cheese with your main meal" A great idea, although we did have to ask for the desert menu (which was not supplied with the starter/main menu) so that we could decide if we wanted the cheese! Desert menu available here.
We had a wonderful bottle of Toulouse red wine with this, which went very well with the meal.
Overall, the meal was very good, with some fantastic quality produce. The cost was about £100 for two of us including the wine. Although I was happy to add a tip to the bill, I don't like being presented with a bill already including a 10% tip for a table of two - what happened to choice?
I would definitely consider going again (once I have saved up again)!
Our cosy table can be seen below (image copyright La Garrigue)
