I’ve been meaning to post this blog since February 2021 when I followed LIDL’s Haggis croquettes recipe. I thought it was fitting to share it today on Burn’s Night when Scottish groups around the globe will be celebrating our national bard. You’ll need….. – 150g (cooked) haggis – Follow pack instructions. – 250g Mashed Tatties – 250g Mashed Neeps – 1 Handful Grated Cheese – Salt & Pepper to season – Flour for coating – 2 Beaten Eggs – Breadcrumbs to coat – Oil for frying Method 1. Mix together the haggis, neeps, tatties, grated cheese and seasoning. 2. Shape the mixture into equal sized ..read more

Cilantro is a gem of a restaurant situated at the start of Leith Walk, in prominent position for pre-theatre dining, before a show at Edinburgh Playhouse. Not to mention a fantastic spot to enjoy an incredible dining experience in-between Fringe Shows this August. With a cosy but classy interior, the restaurant has 6 tables – 3 for two diners and 3 for four diners. You can bring your own bottle, we opted for soft drinks and complimentary water. We had a great table at the window watching the passers by on Leith Walk. We were promptly asked by the restaurant’s owner Mohammad if we would like ..read more

On first glimpse of Culross (pronounced Coo-riss), you are immediately transported back in time, the cobbled streets, cute cottages and, what feels like, secret alleyways make this enchanted little town a memorable day out. It was May 2019 that we headed here on an impromptu Saturday and it’s left memories with me ever since. A lot of people become familiar with Culross as a filming location for Outlander. The town is steeped in history, witches were tried and awaited their fate in the Town House. The mustard yellow Culross Palace is the focal point of the town, built in the 16th Century, re ..read more

Drift is the kind of cafe I dream of owning, made out of shipping containers with glass in all the right places to accentuate the stunning views of Bass Rock and the East Lothian coast line. It was clear Drift’s popularity was no secret, although I suppose it’s to be expected on a Saturday afternoon around brunch time! Getting a table is quite a stressful process when it’s busy, you aren’t seated you just have to wait until a table becomes available and that doesn’t guarantee you a seat with a view. You order up at the till point and it gets a bit muddled with who’s waiting for a table and w ..read more

Each time I visit the Restoration Yard, situated in Dalkeith Country Park, I feel a sense of calm. It’s hard not to, whether you’re chilling in the Scottish sunshine in the Tuscan inspired courtyard, taking part in a yoga class in the Wellbeing Lab while watching a squirrel scurry up the hill, or relaxing with a coffee and gazing out over the stunning Orangerie. I’m still surprised to learn of how many people haven’t discovered this little haven hidden in the trees just off one of the busiest roads in central Scotland, you are immersed in nature and tranquility when you come here. The 18th C ..read more

I had the privilege of being invited to Asda’s Extra Special Scotland event by my friend Tartan Spoon Blog in conjunction with Asda, Edinburgh New Town Cookery School and Morrow Communications. The evening was a celebration of Asda’s partnership with Scottish suppliers, sourcing the best produce Scotland’s got to offer and making it available up and down the UK for customers to enjoy. Our welcome Cocktails included one made with the Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky and ginger beer, a perfect tipple for an autumn evening and the refreshing minty Asda Extra Special gin mojito. We were intr ..read more

I was very excited to receive an invitation to review Umi. A fairly new kid on the block tucked away in a basement restaurant in Stockbridge. The entrance was enticing and the seats were quirky and authentic looking as you can see from the image above. The interior is modern but with the traditional touches of Japanese lanterns. My dining partner and I are somewhat fascinated by Japan at the moment as we plan to visit for the first time next year! Shock horror though, I have NEVER actually been to a solely Japanese restaurant before and I’m not a lover of sushi so I was excited to see what e ..read more

I’d heard a lot of good things about BABA and when fellow foodie Plate Escapes said she would come through from her normal stomping ground Glasgow to Edinburgh to try BABA for lunch, I was delighted that I had an excuse to finally try it too. Perched on the corner of George Street and Charlotte Square we headed inside on one of the hottest days Edinburgh has ever experienced! Not to worry though, the food was exactly the picky, light offering that you’d want on a hot summers day, full of flavour. We ordered a round of refreshing mojitos to cool ourselves down while we perused the menu. We we ..read more