Edinburgh cafe: Summerhall

E was pleased to find our holiday accommodation was just around the corner from Summerhall (which is opposite the children's playground in the Meadows that Sylvia loves).  It is a fascinating arts complex with a cafe inside.

The first thing we notice is the sculpture in the front yard.  It looks like random furniture and bits of building have been thrown out the windows.  Sylvia tells me they must have put some powerful glue on some sticks and thrown things at them.  A notice on the fence tells me that it is an installation called Virus by Antonio O'Connell in 2014.

Summerhall is in an amazing old rambling building.  However as there are no exhibitions on at present, it is hard to get a handle on it.  The most accessible area is the cafe.  It is large and light-filled with large windows down one side.  Chairs are made of rough hewn wood or you can sit at a comfy old sofa.

We plonk our bags down and head to the counter to order.  The staff are friendly and there are lots of vegetarian options.  Soup, salad, risotto, pasties and sandwiches.  On the recommendation of the staff I order the Blue Monday toastie that is filled with blue cheese, apple, honey and walnuts.  An excellent tip.

Speaking of tips, the sign on the tip jar is rather amusing.

While we wait for our order, we browse the shop.  It has some really tasteful arty gifts as well as fun stuff for kids and lovely postcards.  I buy some because the bear on them amuses me.  Upon purchasing them, I am delighted to find that I am talking to the artist.

We don't have to wait long for our drinks.  Fentimans cola for me and a soy latte for E.  Sylvia goes with Irn Bru.  We are all very happy with our drinks.  (Many places in Edinburgh don't have soy milk and E says this is one of the best soy lattes he has had on this trip.)

My Blue Monday sandwich is superb.  Really unusual but the umamai, sweet, crunchy, melty combination works so well.

E has not had enough millionaire's shortbread in Edinburgh and is pleased to find a piece here.  It is very good, though I only have a bite.

Later we wander into the courtyard.  It would be a lovely place to sit if the weather was kinder.  Inside are lots of parents with young children in strollers; there is plenty of room for them,  I imagine in warmer weather many of them go outside.  It is a Fringe Festival venue so it must be busy during the summer.

Not being an Edinburgh native, I assume that the sign on the building outside is some art student joke.  However E takes it in his stride as Edinburghers know very well that Summerhall resides in the building that was formerly the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

Sylvia and I return for lunch a few days later before heading to the park.  I try the Highlander toasted sandwich with vegetarian haggis, cheese and tomatoes.  It is nice but does not wow me as much as the Blue Monday.  Next visit I must try the quinoa salad.

On this occasion the place is far busier, the staff more harried and the ambience less relaxed.  Sylvia has a white chocolate and berry muffin because she is eating lunch elsewhere.  And we amuse ourselves with Connect Four after we find the stash of games and children's books.

Summerhall is a fascinating place and I feel we have only seen the tip of the iceberg.  Many events are listed but are not happening during our stay.  However I really liked this jukebox which has been set up as a project for people to donate money to charity. 

Update 25 March: Returned to Summerhall again today with Sylvia and my niece.  The savoury offerings were a bit more basic because the kitchen is being renovated but I had a lovely potato and leek soup.  Then because it is Good Friday, I had a piece of simnel cake.  I am not sure it is quite traditional but was very nice.  It was a sponge cake with a few raisins, a buttercream filling and a marzipan topping.  Sylvia and her cousin then went to the park for a soft serve ice cream but Sylvia was not so keen on hers and said she would have preferred a muffin from Summerhall.

Summerhall Cafe
1 Summerhall Place, Newington, Edinburgh
0131 560 1580
www.summerhall.co.uk