Abstract
French and Scottish Restaurant
from 8 reviews
33-35 Castle Terrace
Edinburgh
EH1 2EL
map
Phone: 0131 229 1222 (save)
Price: ££££
Licensed: Yes
BYOB: No
Pre-Theatre: No
Takeaway: No
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sun: 1200-1400
Mon-Sun: 1800-2200
Menus:
A La Carte Menu
Lunch Menu
Tags: abstract restaurant licensed french scottish 5pm bookonline offers toptable bookonline
Details last confirmed by andy 2 years ago
8 user reviews:
from craig777 on July 22nd, 2009 (1 year ago)
I have just been here for a work lunch and have to say have had one of the best meals I have had in Edinburgh in a long time. They do a great deal of 2 course for £12.95 or 3 courses for £16.95 which is great given the quality of the food that is getting served.
The restaurant was very quiet - only 3 small tables in so I am not sure how well it copes when they are dealing with a full service but we had very tentative staff who served us very quickly and professionally.
For starter I had seafood bisque which was served with salmon tortellini – this was so good. The pasta was cooked to perfection.
For main I had pork cheek with potato gratin and apple compote – which again was brilliant, I don’t usually go for pork on a menu but decided to try and it and was glad I did
For pudding I had fruit salad with sorbet which was a great way to finish off the meal as it wasn’t too heavy
The lunchtime menu is quite limited (only 3 options for each course) so if you are going with any fussy eaters then you may struggle, but for the cost of the meal it is some of the best value I have seen and also ne of the best meals I have had in Edinburgh. I would recommend this to any local as well as those who are visiting the city and looking for something a bit special.
The evening menu is quite a bit more expensive - I had a look at the menu and starters range from £8-15 with mains starting at £20 upwards. If you are on a budget then the lunch is a good way to try out the restaurant without breaking the bank.
Moderation scores: Useful: 3 Agree: 0 Funny: 0
from boroughloch on December 13th, 2009 (8 months ago)
We went to this restaurant in the evening (autumn 2009) and decided to have their tasting menu. Firstly the waiter asked us (seven of us) for drinks. He was really friendly and polite (Frenchman) and made us quite comfortable. Then one by one, the plate was served. All the food was delicately decorated (Of course, as a tasting menu so each portion was small but lots of plates filled us happily.
For the first 4 plates, a French waiteress explained about the ingredients etc in detail, while another waiter/ess served each of us home-made bread. For the last few plates, an Italian waiter explained about the menu, which wasn't particularly
informative and he kept making flirty jokes... :(
Anyway, all in all, we enjoyed every single plate, bread and wine/champaigne etc. Because we were quite a big group, after the meal, they took us to their piano bar to have coffee/tea etc. But it was not a place for us to chat much as the pianoman was playing, most of the people in the bar were couples...Maybe that was their tactic: they wanted us to go out asap?? :)
The design of the toilets are very cool and modern. We all had a fun evening there with gorgeous French meal. I'd like to try their popular (and cheaper!) lunch menu some time soon.
Moderation scores: Useful: 2 Agree: 0 Funny: 0
from foodie on September 16th, 2009 (11 months ago)
I had a truly memorable evening at Abstract. Service was attentive and fast, but not fawning. My dining companion and I originally thought we'd opt for the 3 courses for £25 option. In the end I was tempted by the lobster, and so only he had the "special". Every dish was memorable and delicious. The starter of venison with beetroot and goat's cheese was wonderful and beautifully presented. My main course, lobster tail with white peaches, was a stunning and flavourful combination. The sommelier made excellent wine pairing suggestions and took great care of us. After dessert (which was also fabulous) we were invited to retire to the lounge and have a drink, which we did. I usually dislike being in a lounge where a pianist is performing, but in this instance I found the pianist a pleasant addition to the lounge (perhaps because he wasn't too loud!) Overall, while we spent a fair chunk of change, the experience and the food was worth every penny. I'll be back.
Moderation scores: Useful: 5 Agree: 0 Funny: 0
from Owen on August 16th, 2007 (3 years ago)
This relatively new restuarant is a lovely addition to the Edinburgh restuarant scene. Fairly pricey in the evenings, but £12.95 for 2 courses at lunch is exceptional value. I had the Scottish Salmon Gravadlax to start, followed by the exquisite Roasted Guinea Fowl Breast with Foie Gras.
The service was perfectly competent and attentive. The ambience is lovely. It is only my stingyness that prevented me from giving it an unprecedented 5 stars.
Moderation scores: Useful: 1 Agree: 0 Funny: 1
from samantha barnes on January 21st, 2008 (2 years ago)
My husband and I had a fantastic night here, the whole experience was one of attentive luxury from start to finish. The interior is quite decadent as is the food - whether you choose the a la carte or the taster menu you will not be disappointed. The portions are not huge but instead they aim to satisfy with their imaginative combinatons and moreishly rich flavours. The taster menu took me to places I have never been - from the addictive salt cod samosa's to the confit of chicken and the snail bob-bons (weird but delicious). Everything looked like a work of art and was a pleasure to eat. The service is much less pretentious than one might expect - though some of the staff are more formal than others they do aim to please and are simply taking their jobs seriously. The wine menu runs well from end to end - with a good spread of middle to low end prices. The evening here was one of the highlights of our trip and I would encourage anyone to give it a go. Our bill came to £140 - for a taster menu, an a la carte, wine apperitifs and digestifs - the El Buli of the north.
Moderation scores: Useful: 2 Agree: 0 Funny: 0
from steve on August 19th, 2008 (2 years ago)
The food was very good, the wine pleasant (even the house red) and the service was good except... somewhere along the line on a moderately busy Saturday night they managed to forget our main courses! It took a reminder from us for them to realise this and after a gap of around an hour they were eventually served. The waiting staff were very good and the the price of the main courses wiped from the bill but as it was supposed to be a special occasion the night was a little spoilt.
Moderation scores: Useful: 0 Agree: 0 Funny: 0
from Des on February 7th, 2010 (6 months ago)
My girlfriend and I went to Abstract for her birthday on recommendation. There was only one other couple in the entire restaurant when we arrived (about 8pm). We were seated promptly and given wine menus. We chose our wine quickly and awaited our wine order being taken. It took a long time for the waiter to return. We were starting to wonder if the waiter was going to come back when four middle aged people were seated at the next table. They were given menus and chose their orders. The waiter then came to us, took our wine order and gave us the food menu. The other table were given their drinks, and their first course by the time the waiter served our wine. I was outraged but stayed quiet as it was my girlfriend’s birthday. When our food order was taken, we chose the £25 taster menu (just because it suited us... not price motivated) however the waitress's attitude immediately changed from polite to nonchalant as soon as she realised we would not be eating from the full price menu. We watched as the many waiters/waitresses treated that table next to us to all sorts of wisecracks and tom foolery while we were left sitting there for an eternity between courses, apparently second best. The food was ok. No better than any other average restaurant in Edinburgh. It was hard to judge it without prejudice given our treatment.
When the cheese arrived for our final course, the waiter seamed charming enough. We had a laugh and all was well. Maybe I was over reacting. Then he went to the next table and told all the same jokes at the same time. I watched open mouthed as he moved around the restaurant with the very same repertoire. It was so quiet that I could hear all. The bill arrived, over £100. For one bottle of wine and the cheap menu. (Beware the 'supplements').
We both left totally disgusted. We will not return.
Moderation scores: Useful: 6 Agree: 0 Funny: 0
from bob121 on November 16th, 2009 (9 months ago)
We have been here twice and had a great evening both times. It isn't cheap as pointed out in the other reviews - but is worth the price.
Service is attentive without being over the top, informative and helpful without being patronising.
Moderation scores: Useful: -2 Agree: 0 Funny: 0