The Witchery by the Castle

Castlehill, The Royal Mile, EDINBURGH, EH1 2NF

One of the most strikingly handsome restaurants in the capital, the Witchery is to be found near the top of the mound where Edinburgh Castle is perched. A 16th-century merchant's house, it offers two dining rooms - the tapestry-hung Witchery itself and the lighter Secret Garden, an enclosed courtyard with magnificent views over the Royal Mile. Interpretations of many of Scotland's traditional dishes are showcased on the menu, together with much regional produce, so expect the likes of dressed Mull crab with fennel salad in cider dressing, or haggis with neeps and tatties, to start, followed by hot-smoked Loch Duart salmon in butter sauce, or Cairngorm venison loin with squash purée and chocolate oil. Finish with the refreshing passionfruit and mascarpone trifle with pistachio biscotti.

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This is a beautiful, romantic restaurant in terms of decor and atmosphere, however the food did not match. The starters were way overpriced and tasteless. For main I had the fillet steak which again lacked in taste, especially considering we paid £29.95 for it. Pudding was better; we both ordered the pudding selection and it was the highlight of the meal. The ladies' toilets were out of order, which resulted in a walk up some stairs outside, in the rain, and into another part of the restaurant.

Reviewer: caz, Aberdeen
Visited: 12 January 2008

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We ordered a bottle of Veuve Cliquot but after starting to pour they noticed one of the flutes was chipped. They quickly took it away and brought a fresh one, minus a little of our champagne. I ordered fish bisque - tasteless. The big disappointment was my fillet steak. I asked for it medium rare, it came very well done and tough as old boots. I could get a far superior steak for half the price at my local Beefeater. The deserts were passable. This place is now a total rip-off. Avoid.

Reviewer: Vaxaholic, IPSWICH
Visited: 03 March 2007

233 of 451 people found this review helpful.
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