New Edinburgh Rendezvous
- Food served: Mon–Sat noon–11pm; Sun 1–11pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 3
- Delivery: £1
- Private dining: Up to 30 covers
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs
- Music on stereo: Chinese ballads
- Capacity: 160
- Largest group: 120
- Open since: 1956
- Average price:
£7.99 (set lunch)
£16 (evening meal) - House wine: £14.95 per bottle
- BYOB: £4 corkage
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The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.
The New Edinburgh Rendezvous probably has the most misleading moniker in Edinburgh. There is absolutely nothing new about this grand old timer, which first opened its doors back in 1956. The faded entrance sadly looks like it has not been refurbished since, but there have been recent attempts to brighten up the large dining space with pot plants and better lighting. Avant garde as it may have been in the culinary wastelands of post-war Edinburgh, the Rendezvous has lagged behind over the last couple of decades. This is no cutting-edge risk taker: instead the menu focuses on the usual Cantonese suspects with a suspiciously large choice of options. Their attempts to cross borders to Singapore and Thailand are largely unsuccessful, with a limp Thai green curry that bears little resemblance to its spiky, lemongrass-infused Asian sibling, so best stick with the Chinese dishes. Of those the most successful are the steamed dumplings (not to be confused with the overcooked fried dumplings) and the crispy aromatic smoked duck, with the banana fritters a pleasingly comforting ending to the Rendezvous experience.
- High point: An old-school Chinese for those into Oriental nostalgia
- Low point: Your tastebuds won’t be tingled by inventive Szechuan cooking here
Reviews of New Edinburgh Rendezvous (10a Queensferry Street, Edinburgh)
- 3. DocDelia, Edinburgh – 9 April 2011, 7:27pm
New Edinburgh RendezvousReport -
As a family we used to go to the Rendevous frequently until it became a buffet. Recently, my sister and I went back and never have I been so disappointed in the service provided by a restaurant. We waited at the doorway for ages before any one acknowledged us (I should have left at this point). We were then seated by a very rude hostess and it took her even longer to give us menus and for our order to be taken. The food wasn't bad (but not great) but the evening was ruined by the appalling service. I will not go back.
- 2. elmosmoe, Edinburgh – 20 August 2010, 10:28pmNew Edinburgh RendezvousReport
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We used to get takeaway from Rendezvous relatively frequently and especially enjoyed their hand made noodles.
But tonight we ordered after a 9 month break and it was terrible and a total waste of money. The usually delicious hand made noodles house special was tasteless and bland, as was the rest of the food. It was so disappointing that we ended up throwing half of it away. Not sure if the chef has changed or anything but it was so poor tonight that we're throwing away the menu and won't order from them again.
Shame.
- 1. McChef, Edinburgh – 7 December 2009, 4:30pm
New Edinburgh RendezvousReport -
I have been using this famous old restaurant for many years now.
While they have had to enter the ongoing price war with other inferior "buffet" places I have never been disappointed with any of the food.
They obviously use their top class food at lunch times as well as dinner, you can tell in the flavors & textures.
Not the most exotic of decor but hey I go for the food.
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