Today we had a walk around our old haunts in the Old Town of Edinburgh: the High Street, Victoria Street, the Grassmarket, the West Port, Candlemaker Row. I had planned to eat vegetarian haggis nachos at The Last Drop but it seems it is no longer one of my favourite pubs now that they no longer serve the nachos. Instead I had vegetarian fish and chips at the Beehive and cake at lovecrumbs.
It was a lovely sunny day and the Grassmarket was buzzing with rugby tragics after the match on the weekend brought fans from France. We sat down in The Last Drop full of expectation. The place had changed since
our visit in 2012. The only options for vegetarians were a boring macaroni cheese or a burger and chips. So I set out to find something else.
The Beehive Inn offered more vegie options. E noted to me later that there was an English address at the bottom of the menu. Which perhaps explains why it was all about "British" food rather than Scottish food. He was most displeased there was no haggis on the menu.
It was busy out the front and I got sidetracked from checking out the beer garden. Sylvia was not welcome in the bar. So we sat at the indoor dining area which had some character with the deep red upholstery and stone walls. She was very happy to have a Kids menu, even if there wasn't much on it that interested her. She stayed with the safe option of chips. E had a sandwich and salad.
I had a Fentimans Ginger Beer. I remember the Fentimans drinks from my last trip. They are soft drink for grown ups. Lots of flavour without being too sugary.
I was fascinated with the veggie fish and chips. They were served with mushy peas on the side for a true British experience. Then once I had my meal I had to ask E how I was meant to eat the mushy peas. They are just not found in Aussie fish and chips shops. Were they for dipping chips or spreading on the fish. I ended up just eating them with a fork.
The "fish" was haloumi in batter. It was lovely and crisp and delicious dipped in a tartare sauce. It actually tasted a bit like fish n batter, without being fishy. Which was all I wanted. I had seen
the Veg Hog making fish in batter with haloumi a while back and really loved being able to taste this.
Then we headed off for cake at
lovecrumbs and more trips down memory lane. I was delighted by the vintage clothes in Armstrongs. Sylvia read a picture book about Greyfriars Bobby in a bookstore and then walked straight past the statue. She says she was distracted the sirens of a firetruck. E was excited to find a cat cafe called Maison de Moggy. We all then headed to my sister in law' house for a fantastic takeaway curry from
Voujon.
Beehive Inn
18-20 The Grassmarket, Edinburgh Old Town
Open: 11am - 1om
0131 225 7171
website
It's a shame that vegetarian nachos is no longer available, but the "fish" looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cakelaw - thank goodness I could find something else but I was still v sad about no nachos
DeleteVeggie fish and chips seem to be getting more common - I'm glad you enjoyed this one and it sounds like a worthy alternative to the nachos. And I am not a huge mushy peas fan but have always seen them eaten with a fork so think you did the right thing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kari - it was the first time I had seen these sort of vegie fish and chips - and I wasn't so keen on the mushy peas but felt they were part of the british fish and chips tradition - for me we always ate fish and chips with fingers but I guess in a pub you use a knife and fork anyway
DeleteI was curious to see what they do with the vegetarian fish and chips. Sounds delicious really!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lorraine - I was really curious and amazed at how good it was
DeleteAww lovely pub review, I could go there in an instant! I always tend to have Fentimans cola in my fridge just to have a glass or two per week, it's quite nice. Thank you very much for linking to my veggie fish and chips post! I really think that the halloumi version is great and I'm always glad to see it on a pub menu! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks VegHog - I think there are lots of pubs run by the same company in london (Taylor Walker) who I think have similar menus so you can probably have it nearer to you. And must try the fentimans cola - they do such lovely drinks
DeleteThe first time I ever saw the word "moggie" meaning cat was two days ago in a post on Language Log about cat speech (well, meowing). There was a BBC article that used the word. The writer assumed that Americans needed an explanation -- I definitely did. Coincidence that you found a cafe with the same word!
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying your adventures.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Thanks Mae - I did not realise moggie was not used in America and some readers require an explanation - always interesting to hear about regional differences
DeleteI had my first battered halloumi and chips at 1847 in Manchester a couple of months back, it was gorgeous. Ah Moggy, that was the name I gave my cat if you remember. Enjoying reading about your trip and visiting some new and old places.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shaheen - I was surprised at how good the battered halloumi was. And yes I remember your poor Moggy
DeleteSounds like there are a lot of great veggie options. The veggie fish & chips look good. I'm not sure about the mushy peas though ;)
ReplyDeleteI bet the vintage clothing shops would be fun.