St Patrick's Day is just coming to an end in Edinburgh (though in Australia it is well and truly over as reflected on my blogger clock being set to Aussie time). We had a fairly relaxed day of meals out and a visit to the playground at the Meadows. I loved the tiny Souped Up kiosk which fittingly was in St Patrick Square Garden. As I loved St Patrick's Day, I will also share a few sightings that it is alive and kicking in Edinburgh.
Firstly, the Irish pub. Biddy Mulligans on the Grassmarket had the flags and the signs out that they would be celebrating St Pat's Day.
A couple of days ago we went to the Scottish Storytelling Centre for a St Pat's Ceilidh of songs and stories. It was very amusing with some great songs ("Let him go, let him tarry", "The Irish Rover", and "The Foggy Dew"). I really admire those who can get up in front of an audience and sing solo with no accompanying music.
We started the day with breakfast at The Southern Bar in South Clerk Street. The we went around the corner to the children's playground at the Meadows. Sylvia had a lovely time.
Then we walked down to the little green kiosk called Souped Up. I saw it a few days ago and was quite taken with the cute wee kiosk that is a "souped up" old police box. That's right, it is like Dr Who's TARDIS but green! Check out this
article on Edinburgh's Tardis Style Coffee Shops, Soup Bars and Burrito Stands.
I was interested to see the sandwich board announcing that Souped Up offered vegan food. In particular a chalk board advertised a Vegan BLT with smoked tofu. Sylvia and I ordered paninis.
We sat at the little table opposite the tenements. Sylvia waved to the folk on the buses. No one waved back. That isn't very friendly, is it!
More cheery was the collage on the wee table beside the kiosk. And the woman in the kiosk was very helpful and friendly to chat to.
Sylvia had melted cheese in a panini. I encouraged her to have it toasted as it was so cold. She also had a soy hot chocolate and loved having it in a disposable cup with a sipping hole in the lid. It warmed her hands and made her feel grown up.
My panini was a decidedly untraditional BLT with smoked tofu, sundried tomatoes, spinach and chutney. It was hot, crisp and delicious, though a little messy. I shared some of my smoked tofu with Sylvia. She didn't get through her panini so we decided against the choc chip mint cupcakes or gingerbread tiffin, even though we were tempted.
Next we had a laugh at ridiculous St Patrick's Day window displays in a party shop. The shop was busy with young people entering in packs talking about green hair dye. Oh to be young and dress in green and drink green beer. Though not these green outfits!
We walked back to our flat where I left Sylvia and E watching Coraline while I headed into town. I ha a little time to kill before meeting a friend. Which meant a visit to Lakeland and exploring a few shops on George Street and the food hall at Harvey Nichols. It made me laugh that Harvey Nicks high class products include the bog standard Aussie supermarket staples of Tim Tams, Milo and Aeroplane Jelly.
Finally I had dinner at Tiles with my friend Anne. It was great to catch up. Then I headed out into the mist to catch the bus home.
I hope you had a good St Pat's Day. For green food, check out my
St Patrick's food post.
Souped Up
22a St Patrick Square
Off South Clerk Street
Edinburgh
www.getsoupedup.co.uk
Happy belated St Patrick's Day Johanna! Poor Sylvia having nobody wave back. I always do if I see them because I remember what a special thrill it was to get a wave!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lorraine - it was quite staggering that she didn't get one wave - yesterday she was on the bus with her cousin and they got a few hellos back when they spoke to people on the bus
DeleteHa, look at the tailoring on those suits! Love the touch of class with the belted jacket!
ReplyDeleteThanks Faye - I think it is a sign of what the st pat's gathering at the pub would have been like - I cringed at the St pat's hats that also had 17 March on them - did they really need a reminder for which day to wear the silly hats!!!
DeleteI loved celebrating St Patricks's Day when i lived in Scotland, you def. saw it in your face in Glasgow and the mood was often contagious. So I have no doubt Edin. was good too, not a sign of it here in the Valleys, were mostly about St Davids' Day. Shame about your eats, though it did start of promising at the start. And your right about it not being a friendly place where not even one soul waves back to a child from a bus.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shaheen - I had wondered if Glasgow was more lively with St Pat's day celebrations as it is a more catholic town with lots of irish immigrants. It would be interesting to be in Wales on St David's day. And we really enjoyed our eats all day so I am not sure which bit you thought a shame - the messiness?
DeleteHow fantastic to stumble across those vegan items at Souped Up. I confess St Patrick's day passed me by completely this year - it must have been obvious in central London but not where I work. The only signs I saw of it were on my blogging feeds and Facebook!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kari - I couldn't resist souped up - so cute and so intriguing - I think St Pat's day often passes everyone by in Australia
DeleteSounds like a great day! St Patrick's Day is always best celebrated in cities.....
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate - I'd love to be in dublin for St Pat's day - if I could have been more organised it would have been great to duck across by it would probably be crazy busy
DeleteNo one waved to your adorable child? How strange!
ReplyDeleteThe St. Patrick's day clothes are quite funny ;p
The BLT sounds really good!!! We don't really have any good soup/sandwich shops around here, I like them though.
It sounds like you're having (you had?) a great trip. It's so nice you got to catch up with a friend =)
Just found this lovely review, thank you! Was lovely to meet you, glad that you enjoyed your vegan lunch! Hope that you enjoyed your time in Edinburgh :)
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